Every fall, the same opportunity opens up, and most buyers miss it because they’re waiting for spring. Here’s the truth: the best time to buy a home is right now, before the end of the year — and if you’re thinking about a rental property, the clock is ticking in your favor.
Less Competition, More Motivated Sellers
While other buyers are waiting for the “perfect” spring market, serious shoppers face far less competition right now. Homes that are still listed this time of year usually have motivated sellers behind them — people who want to be closed and moved before the holidays or the new tax year. That means better negotiating power for YOU: on price, on repairs, and on concessions like a seller-paid rate buydown (we just wrote about that strategy here: https://thetommayteam.com/rates-just-hit-a-3-year-high-heres-how-our-buyers-are-paying-less-anyway/).
The Tax Play: Buy a Rental Before December 31
This is the part most people don’t realize. If you purchase a rental home before the end of the year, you may be able to start saving money on your taxes right away:
- Depreciation — Once your rental is placed in service, you can begin depreciating the property, which creates a valuable deduction against your rental income.
- Deductible expenses — Mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, and repairs on a rental are generally tax-deductible.
- Cost segregation — A cost segregation study can let you accelerate depreciation on parts of the property, potentially creating a much larger deduction in your first year of ownership.
- Year-end planning — Closing in 2026 lets you and your tax advisor position those deductions in this tax year instead of waiting a full extra year.
Every situation is different — which is exactly why you should talk to us (and your CPA) before the calendar flips, not after.
Rates? We Have a Plan for That Too
Yes, rates are higher than we’d all like. But waiting for rates to drop means competing with every other buyer who had the same idea — and likely paying more for the house itself. Buy now with a seller-paid buydown, and if rates fall later, you refinance. You get the home, the price, and the tax benefits today.
Call Us for Details
Whether it’s your first home, your next home, or a rental property to build long-term wealth, the year-end window is open — but it won’t stay open long. Call the Tom May Real Estate Team at 214-223-4600 and let us show you how buying before December 31 can put money back in your pocket.
The Tom May Real Estate Team | Serving Frisco & the Greater DFW Area
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules vary by situation — please consult your CPA or tax advisor about your specific circumstances.