7 Reasons to Buy a House in the Winter 

Winter might be a historically slow season when it comes to selling houses, but that doesn’t make it a bad time to house hunt. If you’re in the market for a new home, don’t let the icy temps keep you away from open houses and showings. 

One of the biggest drawbacks for buyers in winter is that the supply of available homes tends to be lower. However, depending on your preferences, this might not be a big deal for you. It’s worth looking at what’s available because you can find some excellent deals during this time of year. Here’s why looking for a house during the winter makes sense. 

1. Low Chances for Bidding Wars 

Not many people shop for houses in the winter, making competition pretty slim. When there are fewer buyers, there’s less chance of entering into a bidding war for a property. If you don’t have to worry about outbidding anyone, you’re less likely to overspend and more likely to get a house for the price you want. 

2. Competitive Pricing 

Going hand-in-hand with low to no chances of bidding wars is competitive pricing. Since there aren’t a ton of buyers, sellers need to be reasonable with their listing prices. It’s all about the old standby of supply and demand. 

For example, if there are five houses on the market and only two buyers, the house hunters don’t really need to compete for one property. Therefore, if you search for your new place during the winter, you can typically expect to find more affordable pricing. 

3. More Personalized Attention from Your Agent 

Since the housing market is usually slower in the winter, real estate agents aren’t as busy. This is great news for eager buyers because they don’t have to wait long for a response or to see a property. 

4. A Speedier Closing Process 

You may not need to wait as long to close on your new home in the winter. Since fewer homes are being purchased, the key players won’t be as busy. Therefore, you don’t have to wait as long for an available closing date. 

5. The Upper Hand in Negotiations 

The people who need to sell their homes during the winter are often more open to negotiation, since they have fewer buyers looking at their properties. Consequently, if you’re willing to buy a house during this time of year, you could have a better chance of getting special deals. For example, you could ask for a faster closing, for the seller to pay closing costs, or for certain items to be included in the purchase price. 

6. First-Hand Look at How the Home Handles Winter Weather 

It’s always wise to get a home inspection before making any final decisions on a property. However, home inspectors can only make recommendations based on what they see. If you’re house hunting in spring or summer, certain issues may not be evident. But in the winter, you’re able to see how the property stands up to the harsh conditions of an icy climate and freezing temperatures. 

7. You’re More Likely to Get the Moving Date You Want 

Once again, since not as many people are closing on properties in the winter, moving companies generally aren’t as busy. Therefore, you’re more apt to book the day you want on their schedule. Also, since winter is a slower season for movers, you’re in a better position to find discounts and specials and negotiate deals. 

Is Winter the Best Time to Buy a House? 

Only you can decide if winter is the best time for you to buy a house. There certainly are a lot of advantages, but you need to weigh them against the downsides, like low inventory. If you have flexibility with your home-buying timeline and what you’re looking for in your new place, then winter is a great time to find a competitive deal on a home.