Many consumers say they are interested in buying a home but they put off their search just because it’s cold outside, it gets dark early and they think there will be more “opportunity” in the spring. The truth is, there are plenty of opportunities now and reasons why buying a home is possible and even advantageous in the winter months.
- The best time to buy a house could be now because many home buyers tend to wait until the spring and summer to house-hunt, so there will be less competition, giving you more opportunities to make an offer. If the sellers themselves would like to be in a new home by spring as well, you have an even greater chance of your offer being accepted.
- As a result of less home buyer activity in the winter, your real estate agent can give you more one-on-one attention. Instead of trying to satisfy many people at once, agents and brokers can focus more on your needs before the spring influx of interest begins.
- Not only are home prices affordable, but mortgage rates are still at favorable levels, which means the sooner you can obtain a signed purchase agreement, the sooner you can lock in an interest rate that suits your pocketbook. While no one can predict how long rates will last, it’s a win-win situation if you can buy the home you want at a comfortable monthly payment you can afford.
- Because you started your search in the winter and your agent was able to spend additional time finding the perfect home, you can relax when spring rolls around. Many home buyers will just be getting started, while you will be relaxing with moving plans already underway.
So before you get the chills just thinking about visiting homes for sale, bundle up and relax knowing you’ve got a head start on all of the other potential home buyers who won’t begin their search for another few month