Buying or Selling a Home in Winter: What You Need to Know

You’ve probably heard it before: Nobody buys or sells a home in the winter, right? Well, if you check the numbers, you’d see that plenty of homes are sold during the coldest months of the year.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, over 13,000 homes are sold per day on average from December to February.¹ That’s a lot of houses!

In other words, the number of homes bought and sold during the winter is nothing to sneeze at. In fact, there are actually some pretty cool advantages to navigating the housing market while Jack Frost is nipping at your nose.

So, chill with us as we break down the pros and cons and share our top tips for buying or selling a home in the winter.

Is Winter a Good Time to Buy or Sell a Home?

Yes—winter can actually be a smart time to make a move, as long as you know what you’re walking into. Winter usually brings less competition on both sides of the deal, which can mean serious buyers, motivated sellers and more room to negotiate. The trade-off? Fewer listings and some weather-related hassles. But if you use the season to your advantage, buying or selling in winter can be a win—not a waiting game.

Let’s break down what winter means for sellers first, then we’ll flip to the buying side.

Benefits of Selling a House in Winter

Okay, huddle up, home sellers. Let’s unpack the perks of selling your home when the air gets chilly.

1. You’ll face less competition.

Come spring, more sellers will flood the market, making your home just another fish in a great, big pond. But, since most people think winter’s a bad time to sell a home, you’ll be facing a lot less competition in the colder months.

For example, the number of active home listings in the U.S. dropped about 13% during the winter of 2024–25 and didn’t bounce back until spring.² If that pattern repeats, you’ll have less competition on the market if you list your home during the winter. Buyers will have fewer homes to choose from, which means you could sell your house faster.

2. Buyers often mean business.

Most folks want to curl up under a blanket next to a warm fire on a cold winter day. If a buyer is trudging around in freezing weather or breaking away from their holiday schedule to look at your home, they must be serious.

That’s because many winter buyers are working against a deadline, whether it’s an expiring lease, a relocation or a contract on their current home. They may also be trying to snag some tax breaks before the end of the year. That sense of urgency can work in your favor.

3. Real estate agents are more motivated.

Okay, this one’s a biggie. During peak home-selling season, schedules get crazy. And even the best real estate agents might find it challenging to provide their undivided attention when managing dozens—sometimes hundreds—of clients.

Since there are fewer listings in the winter, it’s a whole lot easier for real estate agents to provide personalized attention for both buyers and sellers. That means more time to:

• Schedule showings
• Host same-day viewings
• Help stage your home
• Assist with negotiations

4. People have time off during the holidays.

You may think people are less likely to see your home in the middle of their hectic holiday schedules—and in some cases, you’d be right.

But here’s something else to think about: Most folks have extra time off during the holiday season. And while they’re relaxing in their pajama pants, they could be scrolling through their favorite home-listing apps, dreaming up their next move. And if your listing’s live, it could catch their eye when they’re actually available to schedule a showing.

Challenges of Selling a House in Winter

Winter selling has its perks, but it’s not all snowflakes and Sold signs. Here’s what to watch out for.

1. You might get fewer—or lower—offers.

With fewer buyers in the market, you may not see a bidding war. Some buyers might test your motivation with a lowball offer. Have a firm bottom line in mind, and be ready to stand your ground.

2. Showing off curb appeal is tricky.

Short days and dreary weather don’t exactly make your home’s exterior shine. But there are still ways to boost curb appeal:

• Paint the front door
• Add some warm lighting with sconces or floodlights
• Use tasteful seasonal decor to make your entry pop

3. Financing could be slower.

Banks and mortgage lenders are juggling holiday hours and year-end closings, which can slow down the loan process. Be patient, and stay in close contact with your real estate pro to keep things moving.

Winter Home-Selling Tips

No matter the season, pricing your home right is step one. But in the winter, it’s even more important to skip the fluff. Buyers know sellers may be motivated this time of year, so set a price that’s realistic—and ready to attract attention without endless back-and-forth.

Once you’ve nailed the price, here are some pro tips to help your home shine in the colder months:

• Stage for the holidays. Nothing says “welcome home” like the scent of a gingerbread candle and the glow of twinkling lights. This cozy feeling is exclusive to the colder months—and it works. About two-thirds of top real estate agents say staging helps sell homes, and a well staged home can help sellers walk away with $13,477 more!³
• Keep it simple and cozy. That being said, if you’re selling around a holiday and have decorations up, make sure they accent (not overpower) a room. Stick to small touches that create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Think: a fire in the fireplace, soft holiday music in the background, and a plate of fresh-baked goods or warm cider for guests.
• Light it up. Winter days get dark fast, so lighting matters. Add outdoor spotlights to brighten your entryway, and make sure your home’s interior feels warm and welcoming. Switch on lamps, open curtains during the day, and swap out dim lightbulbs for brighter ones.
• Take down outside decor. Even as we play up the holiday angle here, nothing says “My home won’t sell” like a house with reindeer inflatables on the lawn. Carefully consider your outdoor display and keep decorations classy and minimal.
• Avoid a winter wonderland. Make your house easy (and safe) to visit. Clear walkways, salt steps, and keep the house warm so buyers focus on the home—not surviving the showing.
• Upload high-quality photos to listings. It can take a lot to get people out of their house in the winter. That’s why professional listing photos matter. In fact, 83% of all buyers rank photos as very useful in their home search.⁴  A virtual tour doesn’t hurt either.

Bottom line: The nicer your home looks, the more likely it is to sell—and for more money.

Benefits of Buying a House in Winter

All right, home buyers. Now it’s your turn. Here are some of the biggest advantages to buying a home in winter.

1. You’ll face less competition.

Home sellers aren’t the only ones who face less competition during the winter! As we saw earlier, home sales take a bit of a plunge around this time. So typically, you won’t have to deal with as many competing buyers as you would if you waited to buy in spring. Which means you don’t have to worry as much about someone else snagging your dream home before you can submit an offer, or about getting caught in a bidding war.

It’s kind of like when someone brings in holiday treats to share with the office but most of your coworkers are out of town. You get first dibs on the best desserts!

2. You may get a better deal.

Since supply and demand for housing are both down during the winter months, you might be able to save money on your purchase! Hard to believe? Get this:

The median sales price of existing homes sold in January 2025 was $40,500 lower than homes sold in June 2025.⁵

That means people who bought their homes during winter saved tens of thousands of dollars compared to those who waited to buy in the summer! That might make any challenges of buying during the wintertime worthwhile.

3. You’ll have more time with your agent.

With fewer listings on the market, agents have more time to provide personalized support and attention during your search. This gives them more bandwidth to:

• Arrange showings that fit your schedule
• Offer same-day viewings for quick decision-making
• Assist with market research and pricing guidance
• Negotiate the best deal for you

4. Sellers may be more willing to help with costs.

Since winter is a slower season, sellers might want to make a deal. That can mean extra wiggle room on price—or perks like covering closing costs or making repairs. Less competition plus a motivated seller can put real money back in your pocket.

Challenges of Buying a House in Winter

Winter buying can work in your favor, but it comes with a few challenges you should plan for.

1. You’ll have fewer homes to choose from.

With fewer sellers listing their homes in the winter, your options may be limited. That could mean compromising on certain features—like that in-ground pool your kids keep begging for. If you’re not willing to budge on your must-haves, you may need to be extra patient until the right home hits the market.

2. Scheduling showings can be tricky.

When the weather turns rough, getting to a showing can be inconvenient—or even unsafe. Don’t hesitate to ask if the sellers have cleared icy walkways or the driveway. And remember: Snow can cover up red flags. Stay sharp during your walkthroughs, and get a thorough inspection so nothing important gets buried under a fresh dusting.

3. Winter moves can cost more.

Moving during winter brings some extra headaches—and possibly higher price tags. Holiday demand, snow removal needs and safety gear (like anti-slip mats) can all drive up costs. Plan ahead and get quotes from multiple movers to avoid any surprises.

Are You Ready to Buy a House?

Winter can be a great time to buy—but only if you’re ready for homeownership in the first place. Before you start touring houses, make sure these money basics are in place.

• Don’t buy until you’re debt-free with an emergency fund. Hold off on buying a home if you haven’t paid off all your consumer debt (think credit cards, car notes and student loans) or saved up a full emergency fund worth 3–6 months of your typical expenses. You should prioritize those financial goals first.
• Save up a strong down payment. You need to make a strong down payment when you buy a home—because a bigger down payment means smaller monthly payments and less debt overall. Aim for a 20% down payment since that’ll keep you from having to pay monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI) fees. (A 5–10% down payment is fine if you’re a first-time home buyer, though.)
• Stick to your budget. Sure, home prices might drop a bit with the temperatures. But that doesn’t mean you should justify spending any more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay on housing payments. To make sure your winter home purchase is a blessing and not a curse, calculate how much house you can afford and stick to it.

Winter Home-Buying Tips

Once you’ve done the normal “Am I financially ready?” check, use these wintertime tips to make sure you’re not buying a lemon with a snow-globe filter.

• Tour homes in daylight. Winter sunsets sneak up fast, and dim lighting can hide flaws. Try to schedule showings earlier in the day so you can see the roofline, yard, driveway and exterior details clearly.
• Pay close attention to heating and insulation. A house can look cozy and still be an energy trap. While you walk through, notice cold spots, drafty windows and rooms that don’t heat evenly. Ask the seller for average winter utility bills—it’s one of the easiest ways to spot a money pit.
• Don’t let snow cover up red flags. Winter weather can hide cracked sidewalks, drainage problems, roof wear and even foundation issues. That makes a thorough inspection nonnegotiable. If you’re unsure, ask your inspector to flag anything that might be hidden by the snow.
• Look at safety and access like you already live there. A charming, sloped driveway is cute in July—less cute when it’s icy. Notice steep steps, slick walkways and whether the street and sidewalks look well-maintained in bad weather.
• Negotiate with confidence. Remember, there isn’t much competition, so sellers will probably be willing to work with you. If the home inspection brings up some issues, don’t be afraid to ask your seller to make repairs or lower the asking price.
• Build extra time into your closing timeline. Between holiday schedules, lender hours and potential weather delays, winter deals can move slower. Give yourself a cushion so you’re not rushing decisions or scrambling to move during a storm.

Make Winter Work for You

While the winter months are often considered the worst months to sell or buy a house, that doesn’t mean it has to be a bad time for you. By understanding and leveraging winter market advantages, hopefully buying or selling a home won’t feel so daunting.

We also know you’ve got a lot on your plate this time of year. That’s why we’ve put together some helpful real estate resources so you can check everything off your list.