Why the Holidays Can Be a Smart Time to Buy a Home

Most people put house hunting on pause between Thanksgiving and New Year's. That's exactly why it can be a smart time to buy.

Unpopular opinion: the holidays are one of the BEST times to buy a home in Colorado Springs. Everyone else is busy with cookies, travel and family, which means less competition for you. Here's why it can pay off.

1. Fewer buyers, more breathing room

Buyer activity slows down every winter, and this year the market already had more room to begin with. In the first half of October, new contracts in El Paso County were down about 6% from the same time last year. Fewer buyers means fewer bidding wars and more time to make a decision.

2. Homes are sitting a little longer

The median home took 42 days to sell in early October, up from 36 days a year ago. A home that has been on the market for a while often comes with a seller who is ready to talk.

3. Sellers are negotiating

Only about 1 in 4 homes sold at or above its original list price in early October, and 7 out of 10 sales included a seller concession. Closing cost help, rate buydowns and repairs are all very much on the table right now.

4. Holiday sellers are motivated sellers

If someone has their home on the market in December, there is usually a reason: a job move, a new build, a timeline. Motivated sellers tend to be flexible sellers.

5. You get a head start on spring

When the spring rush hits, prices and competition usually pick back up. Buying now lets you settle in, skip the spring frenzy, and still enjoy that new-home feeling when the weather warms up.

A few holiday house-hunting tips

• Get pre-approved first so you can move quickly if the right home pops up.
• Plan around the holidays. Lenders, title companies and inspectors take time off too, so give yourself a little extra time to close.
• See the house in winter. It's a great chance to check how it handles snow, heat and those Colorado wind days.

Thinking about making a move this season? I'm happy to walk you through what's out there and what's realistic to ask for. And if buying doesn't make sense for you right now, I'll tell you that too.

Dianne Schell, REALTOR® | eXp Realty
720-545-5326 | dianne.schell@exprealty.com

Market figures: Chicago Title of Colorado, Mid-October 2026 market check (PPAR MLS, El Paso County closed sales October 1 to 19, 2026 vs. 2025). Data deemed reliable but not guaranteed. General information only. eXp Realty, LLC | Equal Housing Opportunity.