Dave Ramsey sends strong message on buying and selling homes | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

Recent reports suggest that mortgage rates may be stabilizing, at least in the short term.

However, conventional wisdom also contends that the buying and selling of homes is expected to experience a relatively slow period during the winter months.

But personal finance bestselling author and radio host Dave Ramsey believes that the upcoming season presents opportunities in the housing market that potential home buyers and sellers can leverage to their advantage — if handled smartly.

Current data shows:

Freddie Mac announced on Nov. 20 that its Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.26%, slightly higher than the prior week’s 6.24%.
At the same point last year, the 30-year FRM was notably higher at 6.84%.
The survey also indicated that the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.54%, up from 5.49% the week before.
One year earlier, the 15-year FRM carried an average rate of 6.02%.

Mortgage rates have held within a narrow 10-basis point range over the past month, signaling a period of stability that offers greater predictability for buyers and sellers.

This steadier environment marks a welcome shift for a housing market that has been unsettled by sharp rate fluctuations, providing a measure of relative certainty as participants navigate affordability and demand.

Dave Ramsey suggests a secret for sellers during winter

As temperatures decline, housing activity continues to ease. With fewer buyers entering the market, competition diminishes and prices soften. On average, homes are now roughly 5% cheaper than they were in June.

“Although there are fewer buyers in the market, these are serious buyers actively seeking to purchase a property and are usually ready and able to commit when they find the right property,” wrote the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

“Less competition can lead to better deals,” NAR continued. “While homes are not selling as fast as during the summer, sellers may be more willing to negotiate.”

Ramsey offered some thoughts on the winter housing market.

“Over 11,000 homes are sold per day on average from December to February,” Ramsey wrote, citing NAR numbers. “That’s a lot of houses!”

“In other words, the number of homes bought and sold during the winter is nothing to sneeze at,” he added. “In fact, there are actually some pretty cool advantages to navigating the housing market while Jack Frost is nipping at your nose.”

Ramsey explained his view that during the winter months, effective staging of a home one is trying to sell can be the secret to increasing its selling price by up to 13%.

Ramsey’s secrets to effective winter staging of a home for sale

Holiday decorations should complement a room rather than dominate it, since subtle touches are more effective than excess.
A warm atmosphere can be created by lighting the fireplace, playing soft holiday music, and offering baked goods or mulled cider.
Because winter evenings get dark quickly, outdoor spotlights help keep the home’s exterior bright and inviting.
Seasonal inflatables or heavy outdoor décor should be removed promptly, as lingering displays can signal to buyers that a home is not selling.
Listing photos should avoid heavy snow coverage, since buyers want to see the property’s details rather than a blanket of snow.
Professional, high-quality photos are crucial because most buyers research online, and more than 80% of buyers aged 25–68 consider photos very useful; adding a virtual tour can further boost interest.
The better a home is presented, the greater the likelihood it will sell quickly and at a higher price.

Dave Ramsey explains advantages of winter home selling

Ramsey explains that, during the winter, there are fewer home sellers with which to compete.

“Come spring, more sellers will flood the market, making your home just another fish in a great big pond,” he wrote. “But, since most people think winter’s a bad time to sell a home, you’ll be facing a lot less competition in the colder months.”

Winter can be an unexpectedly strong season for home sales, according to Ramsey.

Buyers who brave cold weather and holiday schedules are often motivated by deadlines such as expiring leases, relocations, or year-end tax considerations.
Real estate agents also tend to be more attentive during this period, since fewer listings allow them to devote extra time to showings, staging, and negotiations.
In addition, holiday downtime gives many people the chance to browse listings and schedule viewings, making the season a practical window for sellers.

Ramsey offers tips for winter home buying

Ramsey emphasizes the importance of negotiating a home price with confidence when buying a home in the winter months.

More on homebuying:

“Remember, there isn’t much competition. So, sellers will probably be willing to work with you,” Ramsey wrote. “If the home inspection brings up some issues, don’t be afraid to ask your seller to make repairs or lower the asking price.”

Dave Ramsey’s tips for buying a home

Wait to buy a home until you are free of consumer debt such as credit cards, car loans, and student loans.
Build an emergency fund that covers three to six months of typical expenses before proceeding with a purchase.
Prioritize paying off debt and saving the emergency fund ahead of homeownership goals.
Plan for a strong down payment, since a larger amount reduces monthly payments and overall debt.
Aim for a 20% down payment to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) costs.
A 5–10% down payment can be acceptable for first-time buyers.
Keep housing payments at or below 25% of monthly take-home pay, even if prices dip in winter.
Calculate what you can afford and stick to that budget to avoid financial strain.