Turning a dream into reality starts with one thing: a plan. And if buying your first home is on your list of goals, now’s the perfect time to put a plan in motion to help you save.

And the best part? Reaching your savings goal doesn’t mean making huge sacrifices overnight – small, consistent steps can get you there over time. Here are a few strategies that can help speed up the process.

Step 1: Build a Budget That Works for You

Knowing where your money’s going is the first step to saving more of it. Take some time to track the money you’ve got coming in and going out. This helps you spot areas where you’re spending more than you realize. It also helps to give yourself some guidelines on what you want to spend for groceries, gas, and more – try to stick to whatever caps you put on each spending category.

Step 2: Cut Down on Any Extras (It Adds Up)

Once you’ve got a clear budget, it’s time to tighten up. Look for areas where you can cut down your costs – like services you don’t really need – or ways you can reduce recurring expenses and put that money in your house fund instead. Every dollar you save now brings you closer to your future house. As Bankrate says:

“If you’re saving for a house, cutting back on your spending can help. Start with cutting unnecessary expenses, like subscription services, entertainment, delivery services or eating out. If possible, negotiate down recurring monthly or annual expenses, such as getting a better car insurance rate or reducing an internet bill . . . .”

Step 3: Automate Your Savings

Consistency is the real game-changer. If you have to transfer money manually, you may forget to do it. That’s why setting up automatic transfers to a dedicated savings account makes it easier to save regularly. Even apps that round up purchases to the nearest dollar and save the difference can help you build momentum without effort. As an article from Forbes explains:

“Automating your savings helps to keep your progress toward your goal consistent. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to a dedicated savings account. This will help you prioritize saving and minimize the chances of spending your money on other things.”

Step Four: Put Any Extra Money To Work

Got a tax refund, work bonus, or a cash gift? Don’t fall into the temptation to spend it on something you don’t actually need. Use those unexpected boosts to make big strides toward your savings goal. Treating this extra cash as an opportunity, not just a nice surprise, will help you get there faster.

Bottom Line

Saving for your first house isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. A solid plan, a little discipline, and a clear goal will take you further than you think. If you’re ready to make homeownership happen, connect with an agent. Together you can map out the next steps to get you closer to the keys to your first home.

Waiting for perfect market conditions often means missing out. Because what you may not realize is, if you’re ready and able to buy, this time of year could actually give you an edge. Here’s why. As the weather cools down, the housing market can too – and that works in your favor.

You Likely Won’t Feel as Rushed

Homes tend to take a little longer to sell during this time of year. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the average time a house sits on the market jumps up during the winter months (see the green bars in the graph below):

This is partly because fewer buyers are active at this time of year – and that decrease in buyer competition means the houses that are on the market aren’t going to be snatched up as quickly. So, if you decide to buy a home in the next couple of months, you’ll likely have more time to consider your options and negotiate a deal without feeling as pressured.

Sellers May Be More Willing To Negotiate

And since homes generally take longer to sell during the winter, sellers are often more motivated to close a deal. That can work in your favor, too. According to NAR:

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

Whether it’s compromising on price, covering closing costs or repairs, or including extras like appliances, you have more room to ask for what you need.

Homes Are Less Expensive in the Winter

With less competition from other buyers and sellers who are more willing to negotiate, you may see slightly lower prices too. In fact, according to NAR, homes are typically about 5% less expensive now compared to when prices normally peak in the summer.

That might not seem like a huge difference, but on a $400,000 home, it could mean savings of $20,000 on the purchase price.

You can see this expected seasonal shift in home prices taking place this year. Take a look at the graph below showing the median sales price of existing homes (homes that were previously owned) over the past 12 months. You’ll notice in the green bars that prices were lower in the winter months last year, and it seems like that’s going to happen again this year. That gives you the chance to make your budget go further:

Bottom Line

Buying a home during the winter means less competition, motivated sellers, and potentially lower prices, too. Work with a local real estate agent to find the right one at the right price for you.