3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring
For Buyers Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group February 5, 2025
For Buyers Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group February 5, 2025
Let’s face it — buying a home can feel like a challenge with today’s mortgage rates. You might even be thinking, “Should I just wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might be lower?”
But here’s the thing, no one knows for sure where mortgage rates will go from here, and waiting could mean facing more competition, higher prices, and a lot more stress.
What if buying now — before the spring rush — might actually give you the upper hand? Here are three reasons why that just might be the case.
The winter months tend to be quieter in the real estate market. Fewer people are actively looking for homes, which means you’ll likely face less competition when you make an offer. This makes the process feel less rushed and less stressful.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes sit on the market longer in winter compared to spring and summer (see graph below):
Fewer buyers in the market means you’ll likely have more time to make thoughtful decisions. It also means you may have more negotiating power. According to the Alabama Association of Realtors:
“A significant benefit of buying a home in winter is the reduced competition. Because of the perceived benefits of spring, many buyers delay the start of their house hunt. As a result, you will find fewer people competing for the same properties during winter. Less demand can translate into more negotiating power as sellers may be more willing to entertain offers or agree to concessions to get a deal closed quickly.”
With homes staying on the market longer, sellers may be more willing to negotiate. This can lead to better deals for you as a buyer, whether that means a lower price or added incentives, like sellers covering closing costs or making repairs. As Chen Zhao, an Economist at Redfin, points out:
“. . . buying during the off season means less competition from other buyers. That means potentially negotiating a better deal.”
Plus, when demand is lower, sellers often feel more pressure to work with serious buyers. This could give you an edge to negotiate terms that work best for your situation.
Historically, home prices tend to be at their lowest point in the winter months, too. According to data from NAR, home prices last year were at their lowest in January, February, and March — right before the spring buying season kicked in (see graph below):
This trend isn’t new — Bright MLS shows between 2010 and 2024, home prices in January and February were, on average, 15% lower than during the month of peak home prices (typically June). Buying in the off-season means you’re more likely to avoid paying the premium prices that come with the high demand of spring.
On top of that, home prices generally appreciate over time, meaning they tend to go up year after year. That means if you’re ready to buy and you can make it happen, you’re not only taking advantage of what might be the lowest prices of the year, but you’re also locking in today’s price before it increases in the future.
While spring may seem like the obvious time to buy, moving before the peak season can give you significant advantages, like less competition, more negotiation power, and lower prices.
If you’re ready to explore your options, let’s connect.
This blog post previously appeared on https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2025/01/27/3-reasons-to-buy-a-home-before-spring?a=106260-312309902871c1f0d820820f58bf8fde. The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. and the Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. and the Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
Agent Value
If selling your house is on your to-do list this year, the time to start prepping is now.
Selling Tips
It pays to anticipate potential issues before buyers ever step through the door. And one way to do that is with a pre-listing inspection.
New Construction
Right now, there are more newly built homes to choose from than there would normally be in the market.
Pricing
Over the past few years, you’ve probably seen a whole lot of headlines about how home prices keep going up. But have you ever stopped to think about what that actually… Read more
Housing Inventory
Some homeowners hesitate to sell because they’ve got unanswered questions that hold them back.
First Time Home Buyers
If you’re like a lot of aspiring homebuyers, there’s a major hurdle standing in your way — the cost of living.
For Sellers
The way your agent markets your house can be the difference between whether or not it stands out and gets attention from buyers. That’s why it’s so important to work w… Read more
For Buyers
Buying a home can feel like a challenge with today’s mortgage rates. Buying now before the spring rush might actually give you the upper hand.
Pricing
There’s one big mistake you need to avoid when you sell your house this year: setting your price too high.
Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact us today.