Seasons of Savings: The Surprising Benefits of Buying a Newly Built House in Fall and Winter
While the “right time” to buy a home varies for everyone, there’s one advantage many buyers overlook: fall and winter may actually be the best seasons to invest in new construction homes. As the market cools down with the weather, you’ll often find more favorable conditions—less competition, flexible builders, and attractive end-of-year incentives. Plus, moving in during the cooler months means you’re all set to enjoy your new home by spring.
Buying a home is a big decision, and with the constant fluctuations in interest rates, housing supply, and economic factors, it can feel overwhelming. However, the timing of your purchase can significantly impact your home-buying experience. It’s not just about chasing market trends; it’s about finding the perfect moment that aligns with your life and goals.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner looking to relocate, it’s all about striking the right balance between personal readiness and market opportunities. For some, that perfect window is during the later months of the year, when builders are eager to close out their inventory.
Home Creations, with over 40 years of experience helping buyers in the Oklahoma City and Houston metro areas, knows how important it is to feel confident in your purchase. With affordable pricing, paid closing costs, and lender-friendly financing options, they make buying a new home easier than ever. Plus, with move-in ready properties and 10-year structural and foundation warranties, Home Creations can help you make the most of this fall and winter season—and make it the perfect time to buy a home.
Why Fall and Winter Are the Best Times to Buy a New Construction Home
The time of year can greatly influence the housing market, with seasonal trends shaping the flow of both buyers and sellers. In Oklahoma and Texas, spring and summer are typically the most active seasons. Warmer weather makes moving easier, and many families prefer to relocate during the summer to avoid disrupting the school year. However, this surge in activity also brings increased competition and potentially higher home prices, with July often seeing peak list prices in Oklahoma.
On the other hand, fall and winter are considered off-peak seasons, particularly in Oklahoma, where colder temperatures and occasional snow can deter sellers from listing their homes. But for buyers, this can actually be an advantage. With reduced competition, you may find better pricing and more room to negotiate, making fall and winter an ideal time to buy. In fact, February often brings the lowest list prices in Oklahoma.
Meanwhile, in Houston, where winter weather is milder, the market remains more active, though there can still be opportunities for buyers to secure a great deal during the cooler months.
By choosing to buy a home during fall or winter, you could benefit from less competition, attractive pricing, and builders anxious to close out their inventory before the year ends.
Here are some other reasons why you should consider buying a new construction home in the fall or winter.
Time to Plan Ahead
A new custom build takes an experienced builder like Home Creations, on average, six to eight months to complete. Buying in the autumn or early winter gives you time to customize it the way you want and be prepared to move in the summer when the kids are out of school. You could even make a wishlist during the holiday season to ask for a few of those extras you want in your new home.
Financial Perks
On top of better prices, there are other financial advantages. There are year-end tax benefits, such as the opportunity to deduct mortgage interest and property taxes for a bigger tax refund. Also, builders often offer incentives, like reduced prices, free upgrades, or more help with closing costs.
Materials and Labor
When demand is lower, you can often find cheaper rates for contractors, as well as lower prices for materials. You are also more likely to get the materials you want, with more options and fewer people shopping around. Builders tend to have more flexibility too, which could shorten the waiting period before you get to move in.
Weather
In Oklahoma and Texas, fall and winter are mild, even warm, so you rarely have to worry about winter weather setting you too far back on schedule. These mild winter months often provide comfortable working weather for construction crews. Other advantages include better concrete setting and curing for a stronger foundation, less humidity for quicker wood framing and drying time, and stable soil that is not hard packed and is less prone to frost.
5 Benefits of Buying a New Construction Home in the Fall or Winter
While fall and winter are ideal times for buying a home in general, there are a host of additional advantages to making your new home purchase a new construction–or “ground-up”--home. As fun as it might seem to have a home on the National Register of Historic Places or tackle a “fixer-upper,” new builds have much higher energy efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and more modern amenities, in addition to being up to code.
Here are 5 major benefits of buying a new construction home in the fall or winter versus an older or previously owned model.
Customization
Modern homes boast a modern design and layout, tending towards open-concept layouts and making sure you have enough electrical outlets in the right places. You also have more opportunity to tailor your home to your tastes.
Modern Technologies, Materials, and Amenities
With up-to-date materials come energy efficiency and lower utility bills. Better insulation contributes to energy savings, and modern amenities can use technology integration to save time on those busy days.
All of Home Creations’ new builds have a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index rating between 42 and 46. This exceeds the industry standard and makes them nearly 53% more efficient than typical new homes and more than 80% more energy efficient than a typical existing home, which can add up to thousands in savings on annual energy expenses.
New Home Creations homes also boast smart features like Kwikset SmartKey Security locks, Pfister touchless water faucets, occupancy sensors, and Ecobee3 Lite Thermostats.
Lower Maintenance, Higher Warranties
When everything is new, there is less wear and tear, and therefore less chance you will need major repairs or replacements in the near future. Plus, new homes often come with warranty coverage on the construction and major systems, providing peace of mind and financial protection against unexpected issues.
Safety
With up-to-code standards and advanced safety features, like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and secure windows and doors, you can rest easy knowing that your family and home have extra protections.
All Home Creations new homes exceed industry safety standards in everything from security and water penetration to extreme weather. Dupont Tyvek Home Wrap, PEX water systems, freeze-proof water spigots, and Schluter Shower Systems all help protect against corrosion, leaks, condensation damage, wood rot, and mold growth, ensuring a watertight home inside and out. Tornado straps, anchor bolts, and Oriented Strand Board provide additional security to your home’s structure and foundation even in the middle of extreme weather.
Financial Incentives
Builders often provide incentives on brand new homes at the year’s end, such as discounts, promotions, and financing options, as well as low interest rates. Additionally, Home Creations offers new buyers in Oklahoma City the opportunity to save up to $2,500 in closing costs when they finance their purchase through one of our participating lenders.
Also, there is greater potential for your home to appreciate in value as the area develops. Many new developments offer attractive community amenities such as parks, walking trails, community centers, and pools. As your community builds around you, your home becomes worth more.
Build Your New Home This Fall or Winter with Home Creations
Since 1981, Home Creations has been building beautiful new energy-efficient homes that last. After more than 17,000 new homes in nearly 30 communities throughout Oklahoma and the Houston, Texas, metro, the experienced team at Home Creations knows what it takes to build the home of your dreams while staying on schedule and within budget, and we understand the challenges new homeowners face during the building process, from permits and regulations to weather considerations.
All Home Creations homes come with a one-year in-house builder’s warranty, as well as a 10-year structural warranty that starts on your closing date. We service every new home twice within the first year of ownership, and have an in-house customer care team on hand to assist with any issues that may arise. What’s more, as part of our commitment to making happy new homeowners, we also offer buyers the chance to save up to $2,500 in closing costs if they finance their purchase through one of our participating lenders.
Fall and winter are the perfect time to build your new home, and Home Creations is your perfect partner. Contact a Home Creations New Home Consultant today and take the first step to getting into your dream home even sooner.
