Winter Homebuying 101: Cool Reasons Why It’s the
Perfect Season to Buy
Don’t pass up that
‘for sale’ sign stuck in the snow-it might just be your ticket to finding your
new home at a steal! Real estate sales naturally slow as the seasons change and
most home seekers put their search on hold until spring, but not you.
You see an advantage in an overcrowded marketplace. You’ve been searching for a
home since spring or summer and watched as houses were snatched off the market
at record speed! More people means more possibility of a bidding war-ugh!
You’ve had enough! Don’t give up now, RE/MAX SELECT shares the perks of pursuing that potential
palace as the temperatures drop.
1.
Motivated
to Move
When home sellers list
their place in the winter, it usually means their life has experienced a change
in plans and now is the time for them to move on. Maybe they just accepted a
new job offer in a different city or they already moved out to a new town and
the house has sat on the market since summer. That means you’re in the right
place at the right time!
2.
Determine
the Deal Breakers
Fewer buyers in the
market may afford you a better price on a house, but don’t overlook those deal breakers you
set at the beginning of this homebuying adventure. Don’t budge if the house has
a higher property tax than you want, or a shoddy roof and old plumbing and what
about mold? Sellers may be willing to bargain, giving you more incentive, but
you need to be prepared to walk away.
3.
Knock
Out the Competition
Less is more in the
winter house-hunting season! Local real estate comes down to supply and demand.
Facing fewer buyers in the winter months than in the traditional selling season
from March through August, means the seller may be eager to compromise on price
or closing. Winter can be prime time when it comes to finding a good deal with
less competition.
4.
Property
Perspective
The cold outside may
give you more perspective inside. The harsh winter weather can take its toll on
a home. The cold and wind test a home’s insulation, while moisture can lead to
more serious problems like ice dams. Take time as you tour the home and take
notes of any chill, moisture or drafts in the rooms. Consider how the home’s
current condition would impact your quality of living now and just how much of
a chunk it will take out of your wallet later-remember these issues as you
negotiate the final price of the home
5.
Pick
a Professional
Keep calm and call one
of our agents.
So, get out
there-bundle up and brave the cold in search for a bargain. RE/MAX SELECT can help!
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