3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring

3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring

Let’s be honest—buying a home with today’s mortgage rates can feel challenging. You might even wonder, “Should I wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might drop?”

The truth is, no one can predict where mortgage rates are headed. Waiting could mean dealing with more competition, higher prices, and added stress.  

What if buying now—before the spring rush—could actually work to your advantage? Here are three reasons why that might be the case.

1. Less Competition from Other Buyers

The real estate market tends to be quieter during the winter months. With fewer buyers actively searching, you’ll likely face less competition when making an offer. This can make the process feel more relaxed and less stressful.  

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes typically stay on the market longer in winter than in spring or 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.”

2. More Negotiating Power

With homes staying on the market longer, sellers are often more open to negotiation. This could mean better deals for you as a buyer, such as a lower price or added perks like seller-covered closing costs or repairs. As Chen Zhao, an Economist at Redfin, explains:

“. . . 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.

3. Lock in Today’s Prices Before They Rise

Historically, home prices are often at their lowest during the winter months. Data from NAR shows that last year, home prices were at their lowest in January, February, and March — just before the spring buying season began (see graph below):

This trend isn’t new—data from Bright MLS shows that between 2010 and 2024, home prices in January and February were, on average, 15% lower than peak prices, which typically occur in June. Buying in the off-season means avoiding the premium prices driven by spring’s high demand.  

Additionally, home prices generally appreciate over time, increasing year after year. If you’re ready to buy now, you could take advantage of some of the lowest prices of the year and lock in today’s price before it rises in the future.

Bottom Line

While spring might seem like the ideal time to buy, moving before the peak season offers key advantages: less competition, more negotiation power, and lower prices.  

If you’re ready to get started, let’s connect!