Why Winter Is a Smart Time to Buy a Home in Southeast Wisconsin

When most buyers think about purchasing a home, spring and summer get all the attention. But in Southeast Wisconsin — including the Milwaukee and Mequon areas — winter can actually offer some of the best buying opportunities of the year.

From less competition to motivated sellers and strong local data to support it, here’s why buying a home in winter deserves serious consideration.

1. Less Buyer Competition in the Milwaukee Area

Winter is traditionally a slower season for real estate activity in Wisconsin. Colder weather, the holidays, and busy schedules mean fewer buyers are actively searching, especially compared to the spring rush.

According to the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association, buyer activity typically slows during winter months even as demand for housing remains strong overall. This seasonal slowdown often results in:

• Fewer multiple-offer situations

• Less pressure to waive contingencies

• More time to make thoughtful decisions

Local insights from the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® (GMAR) also show that winter buyers tend to be more serious — which benefits prepared buyers who want to move decisively without competing against dozens of offers.

Bottom line: fewer buyers = more leverage for you.

2. Winter Sellers Are Often More Motivated

Because fewer homes are listed in winter, sellers who do put their homes on the market often have a strong reason for doing so — such as a job relocation, timing constraints, or life changes.

The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association has consistently reported that winter sellers are often more flexible on price, closing timelines, and concessions simply because demand is quieter than during peak seasons.

In Southeast Wisconsin markets like Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Waukesha counties, this motivation can translate into:

• Price reductions

• Seller-paid closing costs

• Negotiations on inspection items

This is especially important in competitive neighborhoods where spring bidding wars are common.

3. Winter Pricing Trends Still Favor Smart Buyers

Home prices in Southeast Wisconsin have remained strong overall, but winter creates a more balanced environment.

Recent reporting from Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin and Urban Milwaukee highlights that:

• Median home prices in the Milwaukee metro area continue to rise year over year

• Inventory remains tight, but buyer activity slows seasonally

• Homes often stay on the market slightly longer in winter, allowing room for negotiation

Even when prices don’t drop dramatically, less competition often leads to better outcomes — including stronger contract terms and fewer emotional bidding wars.

4. Wisconsin Winter Data Shows Buyers Stay Active

Winter doesn’t mean the market stops — it simply shifts.

According to recent Wisconsin REALTORS® Association reports:

• Winter home sales across the state remain steady year over year

• Inventory levels often improve slightly at the end of the year

• Serious buyers stay active while casual buyers step back

For buyers in Southeast Wisconsin, this creates a sweet spot: motivated sellers + fewer competing buyers.

5. Winter Reveals What You Need to Know About a Home

Buying during a Wisconsin winter gives you insight you simply can’t get in warmer months.

You’ll be able to see:

• How the home handles cold weather

• Whether insulation and heating systems perform well

• How snow and ice affect the roof, driveway, and entryways

These real-world conditions are especially important in areas like Mequon, Milwaukee’s North Shore, and surrounding suburbs, where winter performance truly matters.

Why Local Expertise Matters in Winter

While winter offers clear advantages, navigating a seasonal market requires local knowledge.

Julie Luettgen, a Southeast Wisconsin real estate expert serving the Milwaukee and Mequon areas, helps buyers leverage winter conditions to their advantage — from identifying motivated sellers to negotiating favorable terms before spring competition returns.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, relocating, or looking to make a strategic move, working with an agent who understands local winter market patterns can make all the difference.

Is Winter the Right Time for You to Buy?

If you’re prepared, informed, and working with the right guidance, winter can be one of the smartest times to buy a home in Southeast Wisconsin.

With:

• Less competition

• Motivated sellers

• Negotiation opportunities

• Strong local market data

Buying now could put you ahead before the spring market heats up.

Thinking about buying this winter?

If you’d like personalized insight into the Milwaukee or Mequon market, Julie Luettgen can help you evaluate opportunities and create a strategy that fits your goals — even in the heart of winter.

Tips for Starting Over After Moving Out of State

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Written by Bob Shannon

Moving out of state and starting over can be a lot of work. So if you want a smooth start after moving, you might want to take some time to put things in order. A chance to start over is a wish come true for most, and it is much better when you can start over stress-free. Today, The Luettgen Group Real Estate team shares a guide to get you started and help you have everything ready before the move.

Check Cost of Living Differences

When moving to a new state, it’s important to check the cost-of-living difference and how much more or less you expect to spend. A cost-of-living calculator helps you note the differences in housing, schooling, groceries, transportation, etc. Checking and knowing the difference in the cost of living allows you to budget adequately.

It’s also important to assess local housing market conditions. It may not be a great time to buy in your destination market if it appears to be highly competitive. You may end up needing to spend more than you’d ideally want to to secure the home you want. A local real estate agent, like The Luettgen Group Real Estate, can help you with these decisions. 

Start a Business in Your New State

You may want to start a business in a new state. To begin, research what value you can add to the community with your skills and experience. Then, decide which business best suits your skillset.

Creating a business plan helps your new business succeed. In your plan, outline your company’s structure, funding needs, services you’ll offer, and profit projections. The business plan helps you execute every move successfully to ensure your budding business takes off. 

For your business’s structure, you may find during your research that a limited liability company (LLC) can suit your needs. This structure can protect you from personal liability while also providing you with tax advantages. Contact a formation company for help starting an LLC. They can make the process quick and easy while ensuring that everything gets properly filed.

Consider Investing in a Home Warranty

Although homeowner’s insurance only covers your home from theft and damage to your home structure, you can always upgrade your insurance to a home warranty. A home warranty covers your home’s belongings, including damage to electronic devices. To determine if you should invest in a home warranty, view your home’s inspection report to learn if there are any potential problems with your home systems and appliances.  

But before choosing a home warranty in the new state, research to find a company that fits your budget and needs. This is a good one to consider, so take a look at what is covered. As a tip, peruse their home warranty reviews to see what customers are saying. Remember, you can always find temporary housing to keep you going before buying a house.

Decorate Your Home

Once you settle in, here comes the fun part: decorating! Whatever your style may be, you can never go wrong with wallpaper. Consider wallpaper if you don’t want to break the bank by having your new home repainted. Wallpaper is affordable, elegant, and customizable to suit your preference. Whether you are adding new wallpaper or applying it for the first time, peel-and-stick wallpaper is ideal. With this method, you can change, redesign, and even remove wallpaper at any time.

If you’re not the best with interior design, look online to get tips and ideas. There are great ideas for fun styles that include everything from preppy to chill to grunge and everything in between!

Prepare Before Your Move

Moving to a new state can be stressful but it’s also a great opportunity to start fresh and change your life’s trajectory for the better. Just make sure you conduct your research beforehand and consider whether it’s worth starting a new business and investing in a home warranty. With some careful planning and perseverance, this might be just the adventure you need!

Getting Your Home Ready for Winter!

Fall is here. Are you and your home ready for winter? Every year about this time we get a call from homeowners who forgot to winterize their home. Whether you are on the market or not, these items are good to check over. Not only could you prevent costly problems but you could save money on your utility bills.

1. Clean your gutters. Make sure all the leaves and vines are taken out. Backed up gutters can freeze in low temperatures and cause ice damning.

2. If you use rain barrels, make sure those are empty and turned over so that don't fill up again. They can explode and crack if they're were full of water it freezes.

3. Turn off all exterior water lines. Make sure you open them up and drain out an remaining water. Talk to your local hardware store about freeze proof hose bibs.

4. Do you have removable storm windows? Make sure those are on before it gets cold. Cold hands aren't as cooperative when doing exterior work like this. Get it done before the cold comes.

5. Turn off your air conditioning, there is usually a power breaker next to it outside. Turn off shut off valve. Or if you don't have central air, remove your window air conditioners.

6.Tune up your furnace and install a new filter. Lower your thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat you can save 1-3% off your monthly bill. If your home is vacant set at a minimum of 60 if you are on the market and showing. For homes heated with radiant heat, please follow manufacturer guidelines on minimum temperature so yours pipes and radiators don't burst.

7. If your home is vacant make sure you turn off the water, water heater and drain. Winterize pipes by draining pipes including toilets. If your furnace goes off or it gets extremely cold, these items will burst and cost you thousands. Some weatherization companies also pour anti freeze in drains and in toilet. I can't recommend you do that but check with you local ordinances regarding acceptable weatherization techniques.

8. If you have ceiling fans. Switch the direction your fan blades move. Clockwise makes it warmer.

9. Lastly, any improvement you do to your home like insulation, new windows and doors or  caulking and weatherstripping will help. If home improvements are not in your budget this fall. There are many inexpensive fixes you can do. Like plastic on the windows, temporary weatherstrip at window sill and draft snakes at your exterior doors to keep drafts from coming in.