How To Find the Best Deal Possible on a Home Right Now (December Edition)

“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” — Ann Landers

🎄 Why December Is a Great Time to Buy

The holiday season naturally slows down buyer activity. Fewer people are moving, fewer buyers are writing offers, and fewer bidding wars take place. But sellers who are still on the market often need to sell — and that’s where your advantage begins.

According to Realtor.com, about 1 in every 5 homes this year (20.2%) has had at least one price cut. Even better? This trend is consistent across the country.
That means, no matter your area, there are real opportunities waiting for buyers willing to look past the newest listings.

❄️ The Smart Strategy: Target the Homes That Have Been Sitting

Your real edge this month comes from focusing on homes that:

• Have been listed for a longer period

• Have already had price reductions

• Aren’t getting a lot of attention

Why are these the best deals? Because sellers often grow frustrated when a home doesn’t move quickly. By December, they’re far more open to new price conversations, closing cost credits, repairs, and other concessions that save you money.

Realtor.com puts it best:

“Less competition means fewer bidding wars and more power to negotiate the extras that add up: closing cost credits, home warranties, even repair concessions . . . these concessions can end up knocking thousands of dollars off the price of a home.”

Bankrate backs this up, saying:

“During the quieter fall and winter months, when fewer prospective buyers are shopping, home sellers may be more willing to lower their prices, or offer concessions.”

And according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there’s a clear pattern:
The longer a home stays on the market, the lower the final sales price tends to be compared to the original asking price.

That’s great news for buyers ready to act.

🎁 Even Small Savings Go Further Right Now

Saving just 5–6% on a home may not sound huge at first glance — but on a median-priced home, that adds up to around $24,000 saved.
That’s money that can go toward:

• A smaller monthly payment

• Renovations

• Furniture

• Closing costs

• Moving expenses

In a market where every dollar counts, December discounts can make a significant difference.

Zillow reinforces this point:

“If you’re a buyer who is hoping to strike a deal, look for homes that have been on the market for a while and that may already have lowered prices to entice buyers. You may find a motivated seller who is more willing to negotiate.”

🎄 Bottom Line

If you want to find the best deal possible on a home this December, start by looking where other buyers aren’t.

With lower competition, motivated sellers, and price cuts happening across the country, the homes that have been sitting a bit longer may give you the best chance to save this holiday season.

If you want to see which listings in our area have the most potential right now, let’s connect and find the deals worth unwrapping. 🎁🏡

Originally sourced from Keeping Current Matters (KCM). Adapted and expanded for December by Heather Taylor, GRI.