My Honest Thoughts About Buying a Home During the Holidays

Every year, the same line floats around: “Nobody buys a home during the holidays.”And every year, it becomes clearer how untrue that really is.

If you’re thinking about buying a home, the holiday season might actually be one of the most strategic windows you’ll get all year. While most people are distracted by travel, shopping, and end-of-year chaos, serious buyers are quietly securing better deals, better terms, and a smoother overall experience.

Let’s break down what’s really happening in the market—and why December may be the month that gives you the upper hand.

The Myth vs. Reality of Holiday Home Buying

There’s a long-standing belief that home buying “shuts down” between November and December. In reality, the market doesn’t stop—it simply shifts.

Here’s the truth:

• Fewer buyers are actively shopping, which means far less competition.

• Sellers who list in December often need to sell, giving buyers more negotiating power.

• Price cuts happen more quietly, especially on homes that have been sitting since late summer.

  
  

Put simply: This isn’t the off-season.It’s the strategic season.

While the spring market is exciting, it’s intense—multiple offers, bidding wars, waived contingencies, and homes selling within days. December brings the opposite: a calmer pace, motivated sellers, and opportunities that don’t get talked about enough.

What’s Actually Happening Nationwide

Let’s look at real data from late fall 2025—and how it affects buyers heading into the holiday season.

• More than 20% of U.S. listings under $350,000 saw price reductions.

• Home-price growth slowed to under 2% year-over-year, giving buyers more breathing room.

• Inventory ticked up slightly, while demand eased as casual shoppers hit pause.

  
  

When demand softens—even temporarily—buyers gain leverage. That means:

• Homes stay on the market longer.

• Sellers get more flexible.

• Conversations about credits and concessions suddenly come back on the table.

  
  

Buyers this time of year often walk away with incentives you wouldn’t see during the peak season—things like closing-cost credits, repair allowances, or the seller covering the cost of a rate buy-down.

One of the biggest advantages?Your offer is simply more likely to be noticed and taken seriously.

A Quiet Rate Advantage You Shouldn’t Ignore

One of the most overlooked benefits of buying during the holidays is what happens with mortgage rates.

In late October 2025:

• The average 30-year fixed rate dipped to ~6.17% (FRED data)

• Rates earlier in the year hovered near 6.8%

• That difference of roughly 0.6% saves about $250 per month on a $400,000 loan

That’s real money—every single month.

I recently had a client lock in a 6.2% rate in November. With the combination of a slightly improved rate and seller concessions, they’ll save approximately $18,000 in the first five years alone.

When you pair lower-than-recent rates with lower competition, you get a scenario that feels almost impossible in the spring market.

The Holiday Advantage: A Calmer, More Strategic Process

Here’s what buyers in Las Vegas are doing differently this December:

• Touring homes without dozens of other buyers around

• Making thoughtful, unhurried decisions

• Using seasonal leverage to negotiate

• Locking in better terms and stronger loan scenarios

• Finding hidden-gem listings that others overlook

  
  

Spring will always be busy, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But a quieter market can be a powerful thing—especially when you want your money, your offer, and your timeline to go further.

If This Season Feels Right… Don’t Wait for Spring

Buying a home during the holidays isn’t “crazy.” It’s strategic—especially when you understand how to navigate the landscape.

You don’t have to follow the crowd.Sometimes the best opportunities appear when everyone else steps back. If you’re curious what holiday-season buying could look like for you, I’d love to show you.