It's Winter! Think It's a Bad Time to Buy/Sell a Home? Think Again!

Fall and winter really can be a great time to purchase a home. Sellers can be more motivated and the holiday spirit just makes people want to be in a home. The combination of fewer buyers and slow business also means lenders and real estate agents might compete a little harder for your business. Shopping for homes in the winter months also gives you a unique vantage point of a property. 

So despite that December is usually when people are looking to deck their own halls—not buy new ones, buying a home in winter can be a smart move. Realtor® Greg Rapp at Wallace Realty, knows why winter may be the best season for buying or selling your home!  Give Greg a call at (704) 213-6846 and you'll know why, too!

Many real estate agents will tell you that the holiday season often represents a “lull” in the market. But savvy home buyers should look at the advantages of this season if they’re serious about buying. Firstly, mortgage rates are still low! But there are other benefits to home-buying during “The Lull” of November through January. 

There isn’t a lot of competition. People know they’re going to be busy or traveling during the holidays, so most deals have been wrapped up or people have put off looking until after the New Year. There are still homes on the market, but not as many people gunning for them. This is an advantage to both buyers. 

You might think inventory would be lower in a slow season, but that’s not necessarily true. And, sellers are motivated. The homes available on the market during this season are likely the homes that for whatever reason didn’t go during the peak season. The sellers will want to get the deal closed, especially for tax purposes. For a lot of people, they’ll be thinking it’s the end of the year and they will want to tie up loose ends. This is an advantage for buyers, especially if there are points to negotiate. 

Some Realtors® love this time of year, because the people who are out looking are serious. As a buyer, your broker will have more time to focus on you, as opposed to other times of the year when they might be juggling more clients. You may not be able to close before the end of the year, but it’s an excellent time to get something under contract. 

Buying in winter is also the ultimate litmus test for a home, since all the big systems such as heating, plumbing and the roof and gutters are put to the test in the cold. Some of the curb appeal may be gone, but fixing landscaping is a lot less expensive than finding out months later that your furnace doesn’t work. 

Moral of the story 

See what homes are on the market in Salisbury, North Carolina and surrounding areas this fall & winter season by calling the area expert Greg Rapp. Greg’s record in selling homes, and finding buyers what they need, is well-known in the area. You'll be HOME for the HOLIDAYS!!  (704) 213-6846 ~ Call -OR- Text!

Adapted from an article by Pauline Millard / LearnVest , December 26, 2013, Forbes.com http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/12/26/why-wait-for-spring-winter-is-a-great-time-to-house-hunt/

Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 

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