Buying a Home This Time of Year
Why Buy in the Winter Months
It might seem counter-intuitive, but moving in the winter, from house hunting to getting all your worldly belongings from point A to point B, can actually be easier, cheaper and more convenient than any other time if the year. Here’s why it pays to move during the colder months.
It’s a Buyer’s Market
Spring has always been considered the best time to put a house on the market; warm weather inspires buyers to get out and hit the open house circuit, while gardens and outdoor area tend to show better when they are not covered in three feet of greying snow. But there will always be sellers who need to list their homes in the dead of winter, so if you’re out there pounding the pavement while other would-be homeowners are busy hibernating, you’re at a distinct advantage. Less buyers means less bidding wars, less stress and more chances for you to score the house of your dreams. When sellers put their houses on the market during the winter months, there’s usually a time-sensitive reason like a new job in a different city, or a baby on the way. Whatever the case, they’re often motivated to sell quickly and close the deal with minimal hassle. Luckily for you, that translates into possible savings, sellers might accept a lowball offer when they’re not flooded with other options, or a closing date that fits with your schedule. The bottom line? Don’t be afraid to negotiate.