Why the Last Quarter Can be the Best Time to Buy a House
As the holidays approach, most people are focused on family gatherings, travel plans and wrapping up the year. What many don’t realize is that this same time of year can also be on of the smartest times to buy a home. Whether you’re considering a brand-new build or a pre-owned property, the last few months of the year often come with opportunities you won’t find in the busy spring and summer markets.
New Builds: Builder Incentives at Year-End
Builders operate on fiscal calendars. When the year wraps up, they want unsold inventory off their books before January. That means:
Increased motivation to sell existing homes now instead of carrying them into the new year.
Financial and tax advantages for closing by December 31, which they pass along as incentives to buyers.
Buyer perks such as free upgrades, closing cost assistance, or price reductions not usually offered in the spring.
For buyers, that can mean getting more house for your money—or securing bonus features that you might not get in peak season.
Pre-Owned Homes: Serious Sellers
It’s not just builders who are motivated this time of year. Many homeowners choose to list around the holidays for specific reasons:
Semester breaks: Families prefer to move between school terms.
Holiday downtime: Work schedules and time off make late-year moves easier logistically.
Personal deadlines: Sellers with job relocations or life changes often want to wrap things up before January.
While there may be fewer homes on the market, sellers who list now are often very motivated. That creates room for negotiation and smoother closings.
The Current Market Gives You Options
Here in the DFW Metroplex, buyers also benefit from today’s inventory levels. Right now, there’s about 4.7 months of inventory available - a healthy balance that leans toward giving buyers more choice. On top of that, active listings are up 22.4% compared to this time last year. In other words, you’re not fighting over just a handful of properties, you’ve got a variety of options to explore whether you’re eyeing new construction or pre-owned homes.
Why Buyers Benefit Now
Less competition: Fewer buyers are actively searching during the holidays.
More leverage: Motivated sellers (both builders and homeowners) are open to negotiating on terms, timelines, or even price.
A fresh start: Close before the new year, and you can start 2026 in your new home.
Take the Next Step
If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to buy, don’t overlook this season. Opportunities are there—you just need to stay on top of the newest listings, price drops on existing homes, and builder incentives that change week-to-week. Signing up for alerts allow them to be delivered straight to your inbox so we can do the heavy lifting for you. Instead of refreshing websites or digging through endless search results and contacting builders weekly. You’ll get get accurate, real-time updates curated to your needs so you can focus on planning your move while we keep you informed.
Sign up for free alerts and get notified instantly when homes that match your needs hit the market. No waiting, no guessing, no spam—just the most accurate, real-time updates to help you in your home search.
