The holiday season is a busy time for most people filled with shopping for gifts, going to parties, hosting guests, and perhaps traveling to visit loved ones. Amid all the holiday cheer and festivities, shopping for a home often doesn’t make the list of top things to do.
Besides being busy—and spending more than usual!—many potential buyers assume there won’t be homes worth looking at during the holidays. So it’s not uncommon for people planning on buying a home to say they’re waiting until the spring market when their lives settle down, and there are more houses for sale.
There’s nothing wrong with taking that approach. But there are certainly some advantages to looking for a house during the holidays that people who wait miss out on…
The Benefits to Looking for a Home During the Holidays
When it comes to real estate, timing can be everything—and the holiday season offers a unique opportunity to explore the market on your terms. While it’s not the busiest time of year for buying or selling homes, that can work in your favor. In fact, stepping into the market now could give you an edge over the competition and help you discover hidden opportunities that other buyers might overlook.
Here are four reasons why searching for a home during the holidays might be one of the smartest moves you make this year:
- There’s less competition. With most other buyers preoccupied with holiday festivities, you’ll find fewer people vying for the same properties, which can mean fewer bidding wars, and potentially better deals. That’s always a bonus at this time of year, but even more so considering how stiff competition has been in many areas over the last few years.
- Sellers may be more motivated. If a home is on the market during the holidays, the seller is probably very serious about selling their house. Perhaps they’re relocating for a job, are going through a divorce, or simply need to sell in order to buy their dream home. Whatever their reason, it could also mean they’ll be more willing to negotiate.
- You’ll gain insights into the market ahead of your competition. Even if you don’t end up finding and buying a house during the holiday season, just kick-starting your search process will give you a better handle on the market than a buyer who starts looking after the new year. Diving into the market during the holidays allows you to familiarize yourself with pricing, inventory, and neighborhood trends.The better you understand the market and process, the more ready you’ll be to pounce on your perfect home when you see it, and make a solid offer.
- You may have more time to look. While it obviously depends upon your particular job and work responsibilities, holiday vacations or slower work schedules can provide a bit more flexibility to browse listings, schedule showings, and do some thoughtful research without the usual weekday hustle.
Don’t Let the Downsides Get You Down
House hunting during the holidays comes with some unique advantages—but like any real estate journey, it’s not without its challenges. The key to success is being prepared for the potential downsides while keeping your eye on the ultimate goal of finding your dream home. With a little patience and the right perspective, you can navigate these seasonal hurdles and make the most of your home search.
Here are a few common drawbacks to consider, along with tips to help you stay on track and keep things in perspective:
- There may be a limited number of homes to look at. There typically aren’t as many homes on the market in December as there will be in the spring. That said, inventory has been limited throughout the year in many areas for quite some time, so that shouldn’t be a deal breaker right now. Just don’t let yourself get discouraged and stop looking, because you never know when a great house will hit the market, and pausing your home search until the spring could lead to missing one you would have loved.
- You might need to be patient about getting a showing scheduled. Keep in mind that sellers may be hosting visitors, getting ready for a party, or simply enjoying some quiet downtime at home, and may not allow you to come see their house on the exact day and time you’d prefer. Just be patient and understanding and schedule a time that works for both you and the seller.
- There could be delays in the buying process. If you find the perfect home and make an offer that gets accepted, some aspects of the process could take longer than usual. There are a lot of professionals involved in a real estate transaction—lenders, inspectors, appraisers, and title companies—and any one of them may also be juggling vacation schedules. Again, just be patient and relish the fact that you were able to get a house under contract while other buyers were taking a break from even looking at houses.
Even with those drawbacks, the holiday season offers unique opportunities to gain a competitive edge. So if you’ve been planning on waiting until after the new year to buy, consider getting the ball rolling now!
The Takeaway:
While it may not seem like the most festive activity, starting your home search during the holidays can be a smart move. You’ll face less competition, encounter motivated sellers, and get a jumpstart on understanding the market—advantages that can put you ahead of the pack when the spring buying season heats up.
Yes, there are some challenges, like limited inventory and potential delays, but they’re manageable with patience and flexibility. Even if you don’t buy a home right now, getting familiar with the process and market conditions will prepare you to hit the ground running in the new year.