7 Powerful Reasons to Buy a Home in Winter

While spring is generally considered to be the peak season for buying a home, there absolutely no reason to stall your home search during winter.

In fact, winter might just turn out to be the best season to buy your new home. Skeptical about the thought? Here are seven reasons why buying a home in winter might be advantageous for you!

#1: Motivated Real Estate Home Buyer Agents

Real estate goes through seasonal ups and downs like many other businesses. Winter tends to be slower, which means your buyer agent will have more time to work with you – he/she will be more attentive, responsive, and motivated.

#2: Motivated Home Sellers

Sellers know that the best time to sell is during spring and early summer. So, if any seller lists in the middle of winter, he/she has to be a highly motivated individual. These are generally sellers who HAVE to sell, either because of job transfer, economic or marital problems, or other personal reasons.

#3: Fewer Home Buyers to Compete Against

Holiday season, vacation time, cold temperatures - these are some of the reasons why home buyers put their home search on hold and wait for spring. The result? There are fewer buyers to compete with and you may actually end up finding an ideal home.

#4: Ability to Focus on the Home

In spring and summer time, beautiful landscaping can take focus from the main object - the house or condo itself.  During winter, however, home buyers are not likely to be distracted by gorgeous lawns, lush trees, or flower beds.

#5: See and Feel the Home at Its Worst

Find those cold spots, drafty areas, roof ice dams, and leaky windows when they are most likely to happen. How many space heaters does the seller need to warm up the basement? Is there cardboard against the windows? See and feel how well your potential home can withstand cold weather.

#6: Other Professionals are Less Busy

Buying a home takes a team. You will need a lawyer, home inspector, mortgage lender, and movers. Winter is usually a slow time for all of them, so hiring them will be easier and possibly, even cheaper.

#7: Beat the Spring Rush

Spring is King for home sellers. That’s because thousands of home buyers flood the market, driving up prices and competition. In winter, however, home buyers can get rid of frustrating bidding wars and can move into their new dream home quickly.