Each season has its advantages and disadvantages — it all depends on what your main goal is when it comes to your real estate search. Spring is generally viewed as the best time of the year to buy a house if you want to choose from a large inventory. Homes also tend to present better in the warmer months – plants are in bloom, and lawns are green, so this is a popular time for sellers to put their houses on the market. You'll see plenty of new listings throughout the springtime. Spring is also the busiest time to search for a home, so be prepared for some friendly competition and the potential for a bidding war.
Late summer to early fall is also considered one of the best times of the year to buy a house because the competition levels cool down following the busy spring and early summer months. Fewer families shop for a house around this time of year as well — they prefer to close on a house earlier to avoid disrupting the school year.
However, if you're looking for a bargain, you're likely to find the lowest prices in the winter. There are fewer buyers over the winter months, so many sellers take their homes off the market for the season with the plan to start fresh in the spring. Sellers who keep their listing up through winter are often looking to sell quickly, increasing your chance of purchasing a house below the asking price. Note that the seasonal differences in the real estate market may vary depending on where you live.
