I'm a Real Estate Agent: 7 Best Cities To Buy a Home in Winter 2026
Winter is typically the slowest homebuying season, but it also gives prospective buyers some advantages.
“Winter is a good time to buy because many other buyers are waiting for the school year; buyers who can look during the winter months will have fewer competitors and may see 1 [to] 2% drops in price,” Mitch Coluzzi, head of co-founder and construction at SoldFast, wrote in an email.
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But these advantages can also vary widely by city. Here are the seven best cities to buy a home in winter 2026, according to real estate agents.
Indianapolis
Tim Gaasch, real estate expert at Clever Offers, recommends Indianapolis, pointing out that it has a median list price of $265,000. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median sales price for an existing home was $434,100 in July 2026, making home prices in Indy nearly 40% cheaper compared to national figures.
“There are an estimated 19% more active listings this year than last, and homes typically take 44 days to sell,” Gaasch explained. “Buyers thus have greater selection and therefore greater negotiation flexibility compared with what existed when the market was tighter.”
He also noted that buyers in colder climates, like Indy, should be aware of the condition of the home’s major systems, insulation, windows, roof, gutter, and basement. A home priced at $250,000 could quickly turn into an unaffordable option by virtue of needing a new roof, heating, cooling system (approximately $10,000 [to] $20,000) prior to closing,” he wrote.
Savannah, Richmond Hill and Hinesville (Coastal Georgia)
Alex Rodino, a realtor with Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners in Savannah, Georgia and founder of the ARC platform, recommends three Coastal Georgia cities for winter homebuyers: Savannah, Richmond Hill and Hinesville.
“Military towns run on a different calendar than the rest of the country,” Rodino explained, noting that the U.S. Army’s peak Permanent Change of Station (PCS) season runs from mid-May through August. By December and January, demand has quieted, meaning buyers face less competition.
Winters are also mild in this area, so you won’t be moving your family through snow, he added. Another reason is where the market sits.
“In July, inventory in the Savannah area was up about 19% on the year, homes were taking roughly 18% longer to sell and close to four in ten listings had taken a price cut,” Rodino added.
Traverse City, Michigan
Northern Michigan may not be an ideal area to buy a home during the winter, but you’ll learn more about the property.
“Winter may be one of the most revealing times to shop for a house in Traverse City because buyers get to see how the house and property perform under the actual year-round ownership conditions they will experience,” explained Sander Scott, realtor and broker at Net Real Estate in the Traverse City region.
The market slows down during the winter, but according to Scott, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a bargain.
“A desirable property that is priced appropriately can still attract competition,” he noted.
Naples, Florida
Matt Brown, a Naples real estate agent and broker associate at William Raveis, stated that Naples, Florida, has been identified as one of the strongest seasonal buyer markets nationwide.
“Each year, from November through April, we experience a surge of ‘snowbird’ and second-home buyers moving from the Northeast and Midwest states into Southern Florida seeking to secure a home prior to the peak season,” he explained.
No income tax and its warmer climate have made it an attractive region for homebuyers. Naples also has a variety of waterfront, golf and gated communities that typically appeal to high-end and retiree buyers.
But it doesn’t come without challenges. Inventory sells quickly, and there are also insurance and flood elevations to consider. Brown recommends securing full financing approval and choosing an experienced agent familiar with flood zones and coastal construction.
New Braunfels, Texas
JJ Gorena, realtor and team owner of The Trey Group at EXP in Texas, recommends New Braunfels, a small city near San Antonio, Texas.
“New Braunfels is in the 78130 zip code [and] recorded more residential moves than any other zip code in the first half of 2026,” Gorena wrote in an email. “Homes only took 64 days to sell, which puts it in a seller's market. It is averaging 2% below asking price, which makes it a healthy place for buyers to still find a good home that will be a good investment in the future.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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