Is Winter 2025–2026 the Moment South Shore Buyers Have Been Waiting For?

A New Season for South Shore Buyers

For the last few years, buying a home anywhere near Boston has felt intense: low inventory, multiple offers, and buyers waiving every contingency just to compete.

Heading into winter 2025–2026, the energy is different. Mortgage rates have eased off their recent highs and are widely expected to hover in the mid-6% range in the near term. Inventory across Greater Boston has ticked up from the ultra-tight pandemic years, creating a more balanced market.

For buyers in Quincy and the South Shore, that shift matters.

What’s Changed Since the Peak Frenzy

Here’s what we’re seeing locally and in the broader data:

• Slightly more inventory.
  We’re not in a “buyer’s market,” but there are more options than during the peak 2021–2023 rush, especially in condos and some move-up price points.

• Rates are the “new normal,” not a shock.
  Forecasts from NAR and the Mortgage Bankers Association expect 30-year mortgage rates to stay roughly between 6–6.5% through 2026. Buyers are adjusting expectations and re-entering the market with clearer eyes.

• Days on market are creeping up.
  Well-priced homes still move quickly, but more listings are sitting long enough to create negotiating room—especially if they hit the market in late fall or mid-winter.

In short: it’s not a crash. It’s a market where strategy actually matters again.

Why Winter Can Be a Smart Time to Buy

Buying in winter isn’t everyone’s first instinct—but for serious South Shore buyers, it can be a quiet advantage.

1. Less Competition
Many casual buyers step back for the holidays or wait for “spring market.” That means fewer multiple-offer situations and more space to negotiate on price, timelines, or repairs.

2. Motivated Sellers
If a seller lists in December, January, or February, they usually need to move—job change, family reasons, or a purchase already lined up. Motivation can translate into:

• Closing cost credits

• Willingness to do repairs

• Flexibility on move-in dates

3. You See How the Home Handles New England Weather
Winter showings reveal:

• Drafty windows or doors

• Ice, drainage, or driveway issues

• How the heating system performs

For older Quincy colonials, capes in Weymouth, or multi-families in Braintree, this is valuable insight you won’t get in May.

Where the Opportunities Are on the South Shore

Every town has its “sweet spots” in this kind of market:

• Quincy:

  • Condos near Quincy Center and Wollaston Red Line stops.

  • Single-families in Merrymount, Houghs Neck, and Squantum where coastal buyers are more selective about price.

• Braintree & Weymouth:

  • Great for buyers who need highway or commuter rail access but want more space than they’d get in Boston.

  • Look for homes that have been on the market 20+ days.

• Milton, Hingham, Abington, Hanson, Halifax:

  • Well-maintained homes in these areas still draw strong interest, but buyers willing to be flexible on finishes can sometimes find value others overlook.

How to Make Winter Work for You

If you’re thinking about buying in the next 6–12 months, here’s how to use this season strategically:

1. Get fully pre-approved (not just pre-qualified).
   Work with a local lender who knows South Shore appraisals and can move quickly.

2. Clarify your “non-negotiables” vs “nice-to-haves.”
   Proximity to the Red Line? Walkable to town center? Home office space? A clear list keeps you grounded when the right home appears.

3. Be ready to move when others are distracted.
   If a great listing hits during a snowstorm or holiday week, that’s your moment. We can tour quickly and submit a clean, confident offer.

4. Think long-term about the payment.
   Don’t bank on a future refinance to “fix” a stretched budget. Use current rates and a conservative plan—anything better later is a bonus.

Thinking About Buying on the South Shore?

If you pressed pause on your search because the market felt chaotic, this winter could be a better fit for your personality and timeline.

If you’re considering buying in Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, Milton, Hingham, or the surrounding South Shore, I can help you:

• Understand what’s realistic at your price point

• Prioritize neighborhoods that match your commute and lifestyle

• Build a strategy that feels calm, not chaotic

Ready to talk through next steps? Reach out for a no-pressure South Shore buyer consult.