January often offers homebuyers more pricing leverage than any other time of year, and that timing can materially affect both purchase price and monthly affordability. This article explains why winter buying—specifically in January—tends to favor buyers right now, based on recent market data and seasonal patterns. It’s written for buyers planning a move this year who want to understand how timing alone can influence cost, competition, and negotiating power.

What the numbers show

A recent LendingTree analysis looked at national home sales throughout 2024 and compared prices by month. The findings were consistent with patterns that show up year after year.

On a typical 1,500-square-foot home, buyers who purchased in January paid roughly $23,000 less than buyers who purchased in May. That difference isn’t abstract. It’s real money that affects your down payment, your loan size, and your monthly budget.

In 2024, May had the highest median price per square foot nationally, while January sat at the lowest point of the year. February was slightly higher than January but still well below spring pricing. When you spread those per-square-foot differences across an entire home, the gap adds up quickly.

This happens largely because of timing. Summer months see far more buyer activity than winter months. In fact, Americans typically buy significantly more homes in summer than in winter, which concentrates competition into a smaller window.

More competition almost always pushes prices higher. Fewer active buyers usually has the opposite effect.

Why January pricing tends to be lower

Seasonality plays a major role in housing markets. It affects buyer behavior across home sizes, price ranges, and regions.

Whether it’s a smaller starter home or a larger move-up property, prices per square foot tend to peak in late spring and early summer. They tend to bottom out in January. That pattern has shown up repeatedly, even in years with unusual market conditions.

In practical terms, January buyers are often negotiating in a quieter environment. Homes take longer to sell, showings are less crowded, and sellers are less likely to be managing multiple offers at once.

The broader market context

This seasonal advantage is happening at a time when the overall market has already cooled compared to recent years.

Nationally, home prices have leveled off, with slight month-to-month declines showing up toward the end of the year. Inventory has increased compared to last year, even though it typically dips around the holidays.

In plain terms, there are more homes available than a year ago, fewer buyers than there will be in spring, and less urgency driving decisions.

In Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, that often shows up as longer days on market during winter months and more room for conversation around terms. Property taxes, insurance costs, and repair credits also tend to come up more often when sellers aren’t fielding multiple offers.

Why buyers gain leverage in January

Time on market matters.

Homes listed in January tend to sit longer than those listed in spring. Nationally, newly listed homes average significantly more days on market in January than they do from April through June.

That extra time changes the tone of negotiations. Sellers are more open to discussing price adjustments, closing costs, repairs, or interest-rate buydowns when a home hasn’t moved quickly. When a property sells in a weekend, those conversations rarely happen.

January buyers are more likely to negotiate:

• A lower purchase price
• Seller-paid closing costs
• Repair credits after inspections
• Assistance with interest-rate buydowns

Each of those impacts how much cash you need up front and how affordable the home feels month to month.

What a $23,000 difference really affects

A price difference of around $23,000 doesn’t just show up on paper. It can change how comfortable the purchase feels long after closing.

That amount could mean:

• A larger down payment, which reduces your loan balance
• A better chance of reaching 20% down and avoiding PMI
• More savings left after closing
• Less pressure when unexpected expenses come up

For many buyers, that margin is the difference between stretching and feeling settled.

Is January right for everyone?

January isn’t perfect. Inventory is thinner, and you may not see several nearly identical homes to compare side by side. Choice is the tradeoff.

What you gain instead is leverage:

• Less buyer competition
• More flexible sellers
• Prices that are often lower than spring levels

If you’re already planning to buy this year, it’s worth paying attention to what the calendar is doing. Timing alone can influence price, terms, and long-term affordability more than many buyers realize.

There’s no need to rush. But the data makes a strong case for not waiting blindly, either.