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Happy snowman with red scarf in front of a home in winter

Is winter the time to buy a house?

By Andrea Bolyard

December 2025

There’s no denying it: traditionally, spring and early summer are considered peak buying season in the real estate market. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more than 18,000 homes are sold every day April through June, compared with approximately 13,000 per day December through February. 

Often, more people put their homes for sale in peak months, which means you may have more options to choose from. But in winter, fewer people generally shop for homes, which means that you may face less competition as a homebuyer. Fewer people vying for homes and the attention of professionals in the homebuying process can offer advantages for the off-peak shopper. Here are a few reasons to consider buying a home in the winter months.

More time to make decisions

We’ve all heard stories of dream homes getting multiple offers within hours of going on the market. In the winter months, homes stay on the market slightly longer compared with the summer. For a first-time homebuyer, this may reduce some pressure to make a quick decision.

Room for negotiation

The off-peak season may be a good time to negotiate with sellers who are interested in getting out of their current homes but aren’t receiving as many offers. According to NAR, home prices can be as much as 16% lower in the winter months compared to peak buying season. An experienced real estate agent in your area can advise you on how much negotiation might be possible.

Experience of potential winter challenges

While no one wants to think about dealing with issues, if you live in a climate where winters are harsh, a winter shopping experience gives you the opportunity to see issues that might only crop up when temperatures fall. You can look for spots where ice builds up on the property, check for drafty windows and get a feel for how well the neighborhood’s roads are cleared.

Better scheduling

From a practical standpoint, after you’ve made an offer and it’s time to work through the steps toward closing, some of the people you’ll work with may be less booked. Home inspectors and mortgage brokers or loan officers may have more availability to work with you in winter months than they do during busy seasons when they have many more closings to prepare for.  

Each season offers its own pros and cons to the potential homebuyer. Ultimately, the best time for you to buy a home is when you’re ready!

Andrea Bolyard is a writer who joined MGIC in 2025. Before landing here, she built her career shaping clear, thoughtful messaging across corporate communications and brand storytelling. When she’s not writing, she’s running, gardening or being a devoted dog mom to her own dogs and a rotating cast of fosters. Little-known fact: her longest run is 58 miles – on purpose.
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