January Home Buying Advantage: Why Winter Buyers Often Pay Less

Is January a Smart Time to Buy a Home?

A Data-Driven Winter Buying Advantage from The Sherpa Group Team

When most buyers think about purchasing a home, spring naturally comes to mind. More listings, better weather, more options  or so the story goes. But market data tells a very different (and far more interesting) story.

At The Sherpa Group, we analyze seasonal trends closely, and one conclusion stands out year after year:

👉 January often offers buyers a quieter, more affordable, and more negotiable path to homeownership.

Let’s break down why winter especially January  deserves serious consideration.

Why January Quietly Favors Buyers

1. Home Prices Tend to Be Lower

Historical pricing trends consistently show that January delivers some of the lowest price-per-square-foot figures of the year. Data from LendingTree and other national housing sources reveal that buyers who close in January often pay tens of thousands less than those who purchase during peak spring months.

For example:

• On an average 1,500 sq ft home, January buyers have historically paid up to $23,000 less than May buyers

• Spring demand typically drives prices higher as competition intensifies

While exact savings vary by home type and location, the pattern is remarkably consistent and meaningful for buyers navigating affordability.

2. Less Competition Creates More Leverage

Winter is one of the slowest seasons in real estate  and that slowdown works in buyers’ favor.

In January, buyers often experience:

• Fewer competing offers

• Less pressure to waive protections

• More time to evaluate homes thoughtfully

When competition drops, leverage rises. Instead of bidding wars, buyers gain negotiating room something that’s far harder to achieve once spring momentum kicks in.

3. Sellers Are More Motivated (and Flexible)

Winter sellers are rarely casual sellers. Many have real timelines  job relocations, financial planning, or life changes  and that urgency often leads to flexibility.

As Realtor.com explains, reduced competition can translate into:

• Closing cost credits

• Repair concessions

• Home warranties

• Price adjustments

At The Sherpa Group, we regularly see January contracts include concessions that would be far less likely in a crowded spring market.

Should Buyers Just Wait for Spring?

Here’s the tradeoff most buyers don’t realize:

Waiting for spring often means:

• Higher prices

• More competition

• Faster decisions with less leverage

• More emotional stress

January, on the other hand, offers:

• Fewer buyers

• Potentially lower prices

• More negotiable terms

• A calmer decision-making environment

The “right” time to buy always depends on your personal situation  but assuming spring is automatically better can be an expensive misconception.

The Sherpa Group Team Perspective

Our team doesn’t chase headlines we analyze patterns.

January buying isn’t about timing the market perfectly. It’s about reducing friction, improving negotiating power, and aligning strategy with real data. For buyers focused on affordability, clarity, and control, winter often provides an overlooked edge.

If buying a home is on your radar, don’t put your plans on pause just because it’s winter.

January can offer:
✔ Lower competition
✔ Stronger negotiating power
✔ Real opportunities for savings

Curious what January buying could look like in your local market?
The Sherpa Group team would be happy to walk through your numbers, your timeline, and the homes currently available with clarity, strategy, and zero pressure.