While many buyers assume that spring and summer are the best times to purchase a new home, it's not entirely true.

Favorable weather can certainly make your house-shopping more enjoyable, and in cold climates you may not be able to see the yard because of snow, but there are plenty of advantages to searching for your new home in the winter.

For starters, it's a buyers' market. Potential buyers may put off home shopping in the winter because they're traveling, or are busy with the holidays. While there are still homes on the market, fewer people are looking at them and for you - the buyer - that's to your advantage. 

With less people looking, that means there's more time for your broker to spend time with you, as well. Instead of juggling a multitude of clients, they can focus on fewer potential buyers. And the typical winter buyer is a more serious buyer.

Winter is also a prime season to see how a house stands up to harsh weather conditions. Plumbing and heating systems, and roofs and gutters are tested hard in the cold. You may not be able to view all of the outdoor landscaping, but it's far easier to fix that than replace a major system such as a furnace or boiler several months down the road.

The winter season can also be a great time to find good deals, deals that are buyer-friendly because fewer people are looking. Even a small difference in price can mean big savings in the long haul. Also, if you're looking to buy a bank foreclosure you could potentially find a great deal because banks are anxious to get those loans off the books before the end of the year.

Even selling your home in the winter has its advantages. While it may be frightful outside, the warmth and cheer of a holiday-adorned home can charm prospective buyers.