Buying a home during the final weeks of the year seems like a daunting task. You’re caught up in the whirlwind of the holiday season, your kids are home from school, the weather is nasty, and it just feels like it’s “too late” in the year to purchase a new home. However, buying in December can offer some unexpected advantages, including incentives, less competition, flexible financing, quick move-ins, and even tax benefits.

While a December purchase can behoove any buyer, it might prove particularly advantageous to first-time buyers, buyers on a tight budget, buyers looking for a quick move-in, and buyer with flexible move-in schedules.

1. There’s Less Buyer Competition

Colder weather keeps people from exploring model homes. Homes that are already built stay on the market for longer periods. It makes for a short but potent buyers’ market. Use this to your advantage to snag incentives and other perks on a winter sale.

Work smarter, not harder by using site-guided home tours such as UTour. Being able to explore a new home via your phone during the holiday season (even when sales offices are closed) can accelerate the process and lessen the stress. You’ll have between 30 to 60 minutes to fully explore a home without the accompaniment of a sales person or builder representative. It’s a great way to continue your home search despite holiday demands and snowy weather.

“Brookfield Residential always puts the customer experience first, and UTour helps reinforce that commitment by giving home shoppers complete flexibility,” said Jenna Rilling, marketing manager at Brookfield Residential. “With UTour, customers can easily schedule tours that fit their lifestyle and schedule, ensuring a seamless and convenient viewing experience.”

2. Builders are Highly Motivated

There’s a reason why many builders offer additional year-end incentives. Think of it as Black Friday for new homes. “December is one of the best-kept secrets in new home construction,” said Itay Simchi, founder of Proven House Buyers. “Builders often want to finish their fiscal year strong, so they are more willing to offer upgrades or flexible financing to move inventory.” New home buyers may score savings such as:

• Covered closing costs
• Lowered interest rates
• Premium finishes
• Upgraded appliance packages potentially worth tens of thousands of dollars.

“I’ve seen buyers receive $10,000 to $20,000 worth of incentives such as appliance packages, closing cost credits, or design upgrades just for closing before the new year,” Simchi said. With incentives like these, it may seem pointless to ask for more. But Simchi says there’s even more wiggle room for new home buyers to get the most bang for their buck. “Even when builders promote big December deals, there’s often more room to negotiate, especially if a property has been on the market for a few months or is part of a completed phase, said Simchi. “I suggest buyers focus on practical upgrades such as flooring, fencing, or blinds, as these can add long-term value. Builders tend to be more flexible on these items since they don’t affect the official sale price.”

3. You can stack year-end incentives with quick move-in home advantages

Even better, many of these year-end perks can be stacked with another major December benefit: the surge in quick move-in inventory. 2025 has not been the easiest year for new home builders. With rising interest rates, tariff chaos, and more homebuyers choosing to stay on the sidelines, the bubble of new homes waiting for buyers has grown. Quick move-in homes offer the ability for buyer to begin their new home journey ASAP.

The completed homes mean there’s no waiting on construction to finish or potential delays while waiting for finishes and appliances to arrive. Best of all, builders also offer incentives on these houses, such as mortgage buydowns. QMIs that are due to be completed in 90 days or less may include perks such as free upgrades throughout the home. The wider availability of these homes in 2025 means shoppers have more options to strike while saving money at the same time.

4. You can take advantage of the tax benefits of buying a home at the end of 2025

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday period, taxes may be the last thing on your mind. But it’s worth noting that you’ll get a tax break if you purchase a new home before New Year’s Eve. Here are some ways to take advantage of those tax savings.

Home buyer’s plan (HBP): Under the enhanced HBP, you could withdraw up to $60,000 tax-free from your Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) to buy or build a qualifying home. Withdrawals made between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2025, benefit from an additional three years to the grace period. This means the repayment period would start the fifth year following the year in which a first withdrawal was made.

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, make sure to for your first home tax-free with the first home savings account (FHSA). You can contribute, or transfer from your RRSPs to your FHSAs, up to $8,000 per year, with a lifetime limit of $40,000. And don’t forget about the first-time homebuyer goods and services tax savings on newly built homes priced between $1 and $1.5 million.

How to get Started on Buying a Home in December?

Ready to start the process? Here’s what you can do now :

• Ask builders in your desired community about December-only incentives – Some perks are tied directly to closing before the end of the year. Don’t assume they’re automatic. Confirm them and get them in writing.
• Evaluate long-term value over flashy upgrades – Focus on upgrades and perks that improve daily living and future resale value. Practical upgrades often cost builders less but benefit you more.
• Move quickly but strategically – Year-end deals can disappear once inventory moves. Have your pre-approval ready so you can act fast while still negotiating firmly.
• Use smart tools such as UTour – Take advantage of the chance explore new homes from your phone, on your own time schedule, even when sales offices are closed.

Winter moves come with challenges : tight timelines, holiday scheduling, weather considerations. However, the benefits often outweigh the hassle. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons for your personal situation.

The Bottom Line
Buying a new home in the final weeks of 2025 is not too late. In fact, slower winter traffic, builder urgency to close out the year, abundant quick move-in inventory, and the chance to secure valuable tax benefits make December one of the most advantageous times for buyers to strike a deal.

The “Off-Season” Advantage : 4 Reasons December Might Be The Best Time to Buy A New Home by Erin Nicks | Livabl