Is winter the time to buy a house?
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.
Considerations for multigenerational housing
There are plenty of reasons why families choose to live in multigenerational households, which are generally defined as 3 or more generations living together. Here are some of the more typical ones:
- Housing costs and affordability – According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the median sales price of an existing home in 2026 was $440,6002, which is $93,700 more than it was in 2021 ($346,900)3. That’s a 27% increase in 5 years! It goes without saying that this has created a financial challenge for buyers who haven’t seen corresponding wage increases. Sharing costs in a multigenerational household makes buying and living in a home much more affordable – even if only some of the inhabitants are actual owners of the home
- Caregiving for aging parents – Nursing homes and assisted living housing are extremely expensive, so many families decide to provide their own care for their aging loved ones
- Cost savings – 37% of first-time homebuyers have student loan debt.4 Moving in with family can allow them to stretch their budgets to pay off debt and other priorities. Plus, sharing expenses has obvious financial benefits for all family members involved
- Childcare – Having another generation care for children not only saves money, but it also allows young parents to focus on their careers knowing they have reliable and loving childcare – to say nothing of the benefit of creating stronger bonds between the generations
Multigenerational housing options
As the number of Americans living in multigenerational homes has grown, so have the types of dwellings. Besides having a family member just move into the extra bedroom of a traditional single-family home or remodeling to add an in-law suite, homes are being built specifically for multigenerational living. These custom homes are designed to offer both open-concept shared areas as well as privacy features, like separate entrances, multiple ensuite bathrooms, kitchenettes, and smaller dual-purpose rooms that can be used for reading, yoga or just being alone.
Another hot option for multigenerational living is an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), which is a small, affordable, self-contained living space situated on the property of a single-family residence. Although zoning in some areas restricts them, ADUs can be ideal for aging parents because they allow families to be close enough for caregiving while maintaining privacy and independence.
A new shared-living trend: Co-buying
Increases in home prices coupled with sticky inflation have created a new category of homebuyers: co-buyers. These types of homebuyers combat affordability challenges by pooling their resources to purchase a home with a non-romantic partner, such as a friend, sibling or other partner.
According to NAR, about 60% of renters say they would consider co-buying with friends.5 Gen Zers are the most willing to co-buy a personal residence (70%), with older generations most interested in co-buying investment properties.6
Whether COVID made the idea of living together more acceptable, or affordability challenges have made it more necessary, co-buying is a growing trend and has even led to the creation of new housing technology platforms that help co-buyers navigate the financial and legal complexities of shared ownership.
Affording a larger space
Whether buying with multiple generations or as co-buyers, shared living can require a larger home to accommodate more living spaces. Sharing costs hopefully means you have a larger budget to work with – but don't assume the sky's the limit. Make sure you're on the same page in terms of a blended household budget, and especially if you're a first-time homebuyer, keep in mind that there are expected and unexpected expenses to budget for as a homeowner. Even with a combined budget, you may still want or need to take advantage of options that can help you make a smaller down payment, like mortgage insurance.
Andrea Bolyard
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.