San Diego homebuyers' best week: Oct. 12-18

• San Diego's best buying window is the same as it is nationally, Oct. 12-18.

State of play: Right now, homebuyers have a bigger buffet of options and greater bargaining power than they've had in years — if they can afford to take the plunge.

• Mortgage rates hovering around 6% and high home prices still sideline many.
• Meanwhile, some homeowners — especially those sitting on low mortgage rates — are in no rush to sell and would rather pull listings than cut prices.

What they did: Realtor.com researchers analyzed several years' worth of metrics, including listing prices and inventory levels, to determine the best week to buy a home.

Zoom out: Other major U.S. metro areas, including Houston, Denver and Washington, D.C., match the October timing.

• The ideal week comes as early as September in metros such as Chicago and Atlanta, and as late as December in Miami and Tampa Bay, Florida.