Have you ever been to an open house in the Spring? Something feels right about visiting a home you want to buy when the sky is a vibrant blue and you can see grass growing in the backyard. Then again, buying a home during the busiest real estate season comes with its own obstacles, like more competition and exhausted agents. Trying to move a couch in the middle of a blizzard is definitely a no go, but with 2019 promising to be another hot year for real estate, there may be a few good reasons to consider purchasing a home while the weather is still chilly.

Here are 4 reasons to consider buying a home this winter season.

Less Competition

Not every homebuyer wants to get bundled up to look at a home. If you’re willing to trek through winter weather for an open house, you’re probably going to have less competition. That’s a good thing. While summer months promise a wider selection of homes, greater competition means that you can get priced out of more deals. So, put on those Northeast Ohio snow pants and shop for a home right now — there may be fewer options, but your money will go further.

Lower Asking Prices

Sellers and real estate agents know that a steamy market in the spring means that they can ask for more money and still make the sale. For those cooler months between Christmas and Easter, the asking price for a property will automatically be lower, so even without negotiating, you’re going to get a better deal.

Negotiating is Easier

Sellers are very motivated when they’ve got a listing in the winter. This is often because what’s still for sale in this timeframe may be left over from the busier market, meaning the current owner has been trying to find a buyer for some time and is tired of waiting. Don’t be afraid to ask that a home come down more from an already low price, that a seller cover some closing costs, or even that some appliances are included. The current owner is probably more interested in closing any deal than waiting any longer for extra cash.

Your Real Estate Agent is Focused

A busy realtor is a profitable one, but when the market slows down for winter, every deal counts. Fewer clients means that your agent will probably have more time to devote to your search for a home. Plus, when there are fewer opportunities to close a sale, your deal becomes more valuable. Hopefully, this translates to an agent working a bit harder to make a sale happen.