Home price seasonality. There is seasonality to the homebuying market, and with the conclusion of the spring and summer purchase seasons, now is the time to buy.

The advantages of buying a home in the winter. If a house is on the market in the off-season, it means sellers are more serious. There are also less buyers to compete with, and other involved parties like realtors and inspectors are usually motivated to close out deals before the end of the year. This can all add up to a faster and easier negotiation and closing process.

A good time to inspect. The colder months also offer an opportunity to see how weather-proof a home is. You'll experience first-hand how the furnace or fireplace functions, and other potential problems like structural integrity, roofing issues, and ventilation can be easier to spot.

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Excerpts from MarketWatch and BankRate