Why winter is a good time to buy
Winter is a wonderful time of year to buy a home. Sure, spring and summer might be viewed as the traditional house hunting season. But there are plenty of delightful advantages to finding that dream home – even if the weather outside might be a bit frightful. Here are four reasons why you should start house hunting this season:
Avoid the competition and get a better deal
While other home buyers hibernate during the winter season, you can take advantage of a potentially slower market. There will be less buyers to compete with as many will wait for warmer weather to resume their search. Plenty of families would prefer to make a move when school’s out to provide a smoother transition for their kids. You could have more options to choose from even if there’s not as much inventory available. You also might be able to negotiate a better price with a seller who’s trying to sell before the new year. Some sellers get more motivated during the winter, giving you the upper hand. More supply and less demand means a better deal for you!
Be the holiday host
Are you officially sick of the long drive to a relative’s house for the holidays? Maybe it’s time for you to become the host. It’s your turn to invite friends and family to your new home for holiday celebrations. You can show off your new property while serving your favorite holiday dishes and desserts!
Invest your extra dough
If you’re done buying Christmas gifts or looking for a way to effectively spend that end-of-year bonus, using it on a down payment for your new home could be a great option. Don’t let the idea of a standard 20% down payment prevent you from pursuing your homeownership dreams. There are down payment assistance programs that can help you put any extra funds to use.
Seize the season
Summer always feel so short, so why waste those warm, sunny days sweating out your home search? Buying a home during the winter means you can spend the summer living, rather than house hunting. No open houses. No negotiating. Just relaxing outdoors in your new backyard with no worries in the world. Sounds great, right? Close during the later months of the year and that dream can be a reality.