MORTGAGE BLOGBlog posted On December 04, 2025
As the end of the year drifts ever closer, a window of opportunity awaits hopeful home buyers. Like the gleam of the North Star on a winter’s night, the dream of homeownership winks invitingly from the threshold of your future home. It’s true that the final quarter of the year can offer numerous dividends to a winter home buyer than an eager summer house hunter. Below you are five possible advantages for buying a home in the final stretch of the year.
With the end of the year approaching, sellers are going to be more motivated to close than any other time of the year. Whether they’re wanting to relocate for a job or avoid carrying the property into the new year, sellers will be more likely to negotiate on price, closing costs, and other concessions to ensure the sale happens, period. This is an advantage that summer home buyers can only dream of!
Another perk of winter home buying is that buyer competition is lowered. The real estate market typically sees a slowdown in buyer activity as the holiday season inches closer. A mixture of colder weather and a busier school year schedule for families contributes to this dip in the real estate market. However, this can work in favor of serious home buyers, undeterred by a little snow.
Over the last few months, rates have begun hovering in the low 6% range, affected by Fed decisions, the last government shutdown, and holiday factors. Interest rates will always be volatile, but if you time the market right, you could lock in a favorable rate and potentially refinance down the line if rates drop in the next five years (ask us about Rate Rebound!). There’s an additional benefit for 2025’s housing inventory. Typically, inventory is lowered in the winter, but Realtor.com cited that inventory levels are higher nationwide, stating that “this seasonal drop in fresh listings may be less of a setback than in previous years.” A rare opportunity awaits for 2025 home shoppers this winter!
Closing before December 31st offers a few attractive tax benefits for the current year. As a home buyer, you can deduct mortgage interest, property taxes, and even some closing costs from taxable income.* This means that you could potentially claim substantial savings on your tax bill.
This financial tactic is called bunching: prepaying specific expenses (like property taxes) before year-end to maximize your total deductions for the year.
When buying a home in the colder seasons, you can evaluate aspects of your future house in a way that you can’t in the spring or summer. With harsher weather conditions present, you can assess the property’s furnace (and whether it’s functioning properly), drafts, ventilation, and insulation. With the moving process itself, you might find discounted rates for movers in the winter. And remember, moving in December ensures that you won’t be loading and unloading boxes in 90 F weather.
New beginnings await you in 2026 if you accept the gift of leverage. With a solid strategy, a reliable team (your lender and agent), and crystal clear expectations, you could end the year on a high note. With our 21-day On-Time Closing Guarantee, we could get you to the finish line before 2026.** Ready to check the box on your final New Year’s goal?
Source: Realtor.com, Mortgage News Daily
*For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.
**The On-Time Close Guarantee is valid for FHA, VA and Conventional (Agency only) Purchases only (No loan contingency). All required credit documents and the property appraisal must be received by CMG within 4 days of the closing date. The guarantee will be reduced if the closing costs do not meet or exceed the amount of the guarantee. The On-Time Close Guarantee will not apply in any of the following cases: (1) Changes to the original closing date, contract, or loan terms. (2) Delays due to unforeseeable events, including weather or natural disaster. (3) Delays caused by third parties, including but not limited to appraisal and title services. (4) If loan application is withdrawn or denied. CMG reserves the right to amend, terminate or withdraw the On Time Close Guarantee at any time without prior notice. This Guarantee expires 12/31/2025. Consult with your loan officer for more details.
