If you’re planning to buy a home this year, you’re probably watching the spring market and hoping it brings a few welcome changes, like:

• Mortgage rates easing down a bit more

• More homes popping up for sale

Most buyers don’t realize this: purchasing just a few weeks earlier can mean paying less, feeling less stressed, and avoiding a last‑minute rush.

Here are three reasons why speeding up your timeline over the next few weeks might actually be the smarter move.

 1. Holding Out for Lower Rates May Not Pay Off 

A lot of buyers are waiting and hoping mortgage rates will drop even more. But that may not be the best strategy. Here’s why. Most experts agree rates are likely to stay pretty close to where they are now.

Forecasts across the industry point to the same outcome: rates are expected to sit in the low 6% range this year.

That’s not a bad thing, especially when you think about how much rates have fallen. Over the past year they’ve dropped by about a full percentage point, and for many buyers that already makes homes more affordable than they may realize.

Why wait a few more weeks for more buyers to jump in and become your competition? You already have an opportunity right now. As Chen Zhao, Head of Economics Research at Redfin, explains:

““House hunters should know that this may be near the lowest mortgage rates fall for the foreseeable future.””

— Chen Zhao, Head of Economics Research at Redfin

 2. Spring Means More Competition + More Stress

Speaking of competition, the spring market is popular for a reason, but that popularity can also bring pressure. With more buyers jumping in, you may have to move quickly when you find a home you like. And no one enjoys feeling rushed.

Buy now and you’ll have more time to look around. With fewer buyers out there, homes are staying on the market longer.

You can see this in Realtor.com’s data. In winter, homes take about 70 days to sell on average. In spring that falls to about 50 days, a 20-day difference that makes the market feel much more rushed.

Homes tend to sell more quickly in spring and more slowly in winter, which can be a real advantage for buyers who want time to decide without feeling rushed.

3. Prices Tend To Rise When Competition Heats Up

Here’s something many buyers don’t always consider. Home prices tend to move with demand. When more people are in the market, prices usually climb, too. As Bankrate explains:

““Spring and early summer are the busiest and most competitive time of year for the real estate market . . . home prices tend to be steeper to reflect the increased demand.” ”

— Bankrate

Data from the National Association of Realtors shows that buyers who bought early in 2025 saved about $30,000 to $35,000 compared with those who purchased when prices peaked in the spring or early summer.

Let’s be honest, for many buyers today, every bit of savings counts. That’s why buying just a few weeks earlier, before prices rise, can make a real difference for you and your wallet.

Bottom Line

Buying a few weeks before spring isn’t about rushing. It’s about getting ahead, giving yourself more leverage, reducing stress, and scoring real savings.

If you’re ready to buy now and want to get started, let’s connect.