Should You Wait Until Spring To Buy or Sell a Home?

By Joy Daniels

In her position, Daniels is a listing specialist who works with sellers to achieve their specific real estate goals while helping them to understand their home’s value and the current local market.

Is now the right time to buy or sell a home? As a real estate agent, one of the most common questions I get is: Should I wait until spring? And honestly, the answer isn’t the same for everyone. It all depends on your situation, your goals, and what’s happening in your local market. But if you’re weighing your options, here are some key things to consider.

How timing affects the market. In many areas, including here in Central Pennsylvania, the real estate market tends to slow down during the winter. Fewer people are actively buying and selling, which creates different opportunities depending on which side of the transaction you’re on.

When spring rolls around, things pick up. More buyers enter the market, demand increases, and home prices often rise. But with more homes for sale, sellers also face more competition. That’s why choosing the right time to make a move depends on your priorities.

Selling in winter vs. spring. Selling in the winter might not seem ideal at first, but it actually has its perks. With fewer listings available, your home has a better chance of standing out to serious buyers who are eager to move. Less competition can mean quicker offers and smoother negotiations.

On the other hand, selling in the spring can bring higher demand, which could translate into better offers. But with more homes hitting the market, you’ll need to make sure your property shines. That means strong staging, great photos, and a competitive price to attract buyers.

Buying in winter vs. spring. If you’re a buyer, winter can work in your favor. Fewer buyers mean less competition, which gives you more negotiating power. You might find a great home at a better price because there aren’t as many people bidding against you.

Spring, on the other hand, offers more choices. If you have a specific wish list and want the best selection, you might prefer to wait. Just be prepared for more competition, potential bidding wars, and homes selling quickly.

What about mortgage rates? Mortgage rates have been a hot topic lately. They’ve been fluctuating, and that uncertainty makes some buyers hesitant. But here’s the thing—rates go up and down. If you find the right home and you’re financially prepared, buying now can still make sense.

One way to look at it is, you marry the house, but you’re only dating the rate. That means you commit to the home you love, but if rates drop in the future, you can always refinance.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what works best for you. If you’re a buyer looking for a deal and less competition, winter could be a smart time to make a move. If you’re a seller hoping to attract serious buyers without a flood of competition, listing now might be the right call.

Either way, having the right strategy makes all the difference. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, let’s connect! Give us a call at 717-695-3177 or email info@joydaniels.com, and we’ll walk through your options together.