They slow the Realtors down. If you really want a deal in Alpena, Mich., go out and buy your home in January because you can't find the sign sticking out of the snow. They're desperate at that time. It varies over time depending upon the state of interest rates, employment, stock prices and other economic measures. Business does slow down a little bit, particularly in the winter.
Buyers can benefit from the decline in activity in several ways.
On the home pricing front, they can save a few dollars because there aren't as many bidders chasing property. The lack of competition encourages some sellers to accept lower bids and prevents others from pitting several interested parties against one another. Because people who sell at this time of year tend to be those who really need to, buyers will often find they have even more clout. Of course, financing a home can be trickier than getting a good price for one. But winter holds some pleasant surprises there as well, especially this year.