(Yes—even during the holidays.)

December can be one of the smartest (and most overlooked) months to buy a home in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. With fewer buyers in the market, more motivated sellers, potential year-end tax advantages, and faster closing timelines, the holiday season may offer buyers a real edge. Here’s why December might be the perfect time to make your move.

Thinking about buying a home, but planning to wait until spring? You might be surprised to learn that December is actually one of the smartest months of the year to buy real estate—especially here in Newport Beach, Eastside Costa Mesa, and the surrounding Orange County coastal communities.

While holiday commitments, cooler temperatures, and year-end distractions slow down the market for many buyers, savvy home shoppers can use this season to their advantage.

Here are six powerful reasons why December might be the perfect time to say yes to your new address.

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1. Far Less Competition

In December, most buyers hit pause. Between travel, holidays, gift-buying, and end-of-year busyness, the real estate market becomes noticeably quieter.

For you, that means:
✔ fewer competing offers
✔ fewer bidding wars
✔ more breathing room
✔ more negotiating power

In a coastal market where spring and summer can be fast-moving and highly competitive, December gives buyers the gift of time and leverage.

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2. Extra-Motivated Sellers

A seller who lists (or remains active) in December is almost always serious about selling. Reasons may include:

• job relocations
• tax planning
• personal or financial timelines
• needing the sale completed before year-end

Motivated sellers may be more open to:
✔ price adjustments
✔ repairs
✔ closing cost credits
✔ flexible terms
✔ including appliances, furniture, or upgrades

In luxury coastal markets—Newport Beach, Dover Shores, Lido Isle, Peninsula Point, Eastside Costa Mesa, and beyond—this motivation can translate into meaningful savings and smoother negotiations.

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3. Possible Year-End Tax Benefits

While every buyer’s situation is different, closing by December 31 can offer potential tax advantages, such as:

• mortgage interest deductions
• property tax deductions
• loan points
• certain closing-related write-offs

These can reduce your taxable income and provide a helpful financial boost when filing next year.
(Always consult your CPA, financial advisor, or tax preparer.)

For our clients—buyers, trustees, investors, and high-net-worth families—these timing strategies often play a major role in year-end planning.

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4. Faster, Easier Closing Timelines

Winter is typically a slower season for lenders, title companies, escrow teams, appraisers, and inspectors.

Translation:
✔ faster responses
✔ quicker turn times
✔ fewer bottlenecks
✔ smoother timelines

You may be able to close weeks faster than you would during the busier spring/summer season—sometimes even before the New Year’s champagne pops.

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5. A More Honest Look at the Property

December conditions reveal things you won’t always see during sunny season, such as:

• insulation quality
• heating system performance
• window drafts
• roof durability
• drainage issues
• moisture or humidity concerns

Seeing a home in its “worst-case weather” helps ensure it will be comfortable, efficient, and functional year-round—especially valuable for homes near the coast, where humidity and salt air can affect systems and materials.

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6. End-of-Year Deals on Furnishings & Essentials

If you close in December, you step right into some of the biggest sale events of the year.
From furniture and appliances to décor and bedding, holiday clearance sales can help you furnish your new home for much less.

(Plus, celebrating the holidays in a brand-new space? Hard to beat.)

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Bottom Line: December Might Be Your Competitive Advantage

If you’re ready to buy, don’t let the calendar talk you out of it. December offers measurable benefits and a quieter, more thoughtful buying experience.

You could start the new year in a new home—and ahead of the springtime rush.

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Questions or Need Help?

Thinking about buying in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, or the surrounding Orange County coastal communities? We’d love to help you strategize your next move.

info@lucas-real-estate.com
949-478-1623

Sign up for our newsletter for market updates, expert insights, and the latest Orange County housing trends.

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About the Authors

Devin R. Lucas — Real Estate Broker, REALTOR®, and Real Estate Attorney specializing in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and the Orange County coastal markets.
Courtney Lucas — Licensed CPA, Real Estate Salesperson, and REALTOR®, providing expert financial insight for buyers, sellers, investors, trustees, and high-profile clientele.

Together, they lead Lucas Real Estate Group, operating in partnership with Coldwell Banker Newport Beach and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury program.

We offer unmatched expertise in:
✔ luxury residential real estate
✔ tax-advantaged strategies
✔ Prop 19 & property tax planning
✔ 1031 exchanges
✔ trust & estate sales
✔ confidential buyer and seller representation

For legal-specific matters—family transfers, LLC structuring, Prop 19, tax implications, gifting strategies, and private off-market sales—schedule a paid consultation:

Book a consultation here

Lucas Real Estate is a boutique full-service brokerage offering real estate sales, legal services, and tax strategy—all under one roof.

Lucas Real Estate is a full-service brokerage offering residential real estate, legal services, and strategic tax planning—all under one roof.

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