If you’re thinking about buying a home this year, you may assume that spring is the best time to start your search. After all, that’s when the market traditionally picks up, with more homes hitting the market and more buyers actively looking. However, starting your home search before the spring rush—in January, February, or early March—can give you several key advantages.
1. Lower Home Prices in the Early Months of the Year
Historically, home prices tend to be lower in the winter months compared to the peak spring and summer seasons. Sellers who list their homes in January or February are often more motivated, whether due to a job relocation, a life change, or simply a desire to sell before the competition heats up. That motivation can translate to better deals and more room for negotiation.
2. Less Competition from Other Buyers
One of the biggest advantages of starting your search early is reduced buyer competition. In the spring and summer, demand surges, leading to bidding wars and homes selling quickly—often above asking price. By searching in the early months of the year, you may be able to avoid multiple-offer situations and negotiate more favorable terms.
3. More Time to Explore the Market
Starting your search early gives you a head start in understanding the local real estate market. You’ll have time to tour homes, compare neighborhoods, and assess pricing trends without feeling the pressure of a fast-moving market. This allows you to make a well-informed decision rather than rushing into a purchase when competition is at its peak.
4. More Attention from Your Agent and Lenders
In the busier months, real estate agents, lenders, and other professionals are juggling multiple clients at once. By searching for a home before the rush, you’re more likely to receive personalized attention from your agent, a quicker response from lenders, and a smoother home-buying process overall.
When it's time to buy, Sibcy Cline Mortgage offers competitive rates and quality service. Sibcy Cline's goal is to make the loan process a smooth one. Our automated underwriting system not only speeds up the process, but may save you money. Buyers can b...
Contact a Loan Officer
5. A Faster Closing Timeline
With fewer buyers in the market, lenders and title companies typically have more availability, which can lead to a quicker and less stressful closing process. If you want to move into your new home sooner rather than later, starting your search early can help make that happen.
6. Lock in a Mortgage Rate Before Potential Increases
Mortgage rates fluctuate throughout the year, and while it’s impossible to predict exactly where they’ll go, locking in a rate early in the year could save you money in the long run. If rates rise in the spring or summer, you’ll be glad you started your search sooner rather than later.
7. See Homes in Different Weather Conditions
Shopping for a home in the winter allows you to see how a property holds up in colder, harsher conditions. You can evaluate things like insulation, heating efficiency, and potential drainage issues—things that might not be as obvious in the warmer months.
Browse the most powerful local network of REALTORS®, trusted by five generations of buyers and sellers.
Agent Directory