When you think about prime real estate times to buy or sell a home – wisdom would have you thinking spring or summer might be the best seasons.
If you’re a seller - the grass is greener, the flowers are blooming and your curb appeal is at an all-time high!
If you’re buying - you get to see the home and yard in all its glory, looking its best!
But there are a lot of real estate advantages in the winter for both buyers and sellers if you’re willing to step outside the seasonal box!
Here’s some of the advantages to entering into the real estate market in winter if you’re a buyer or seller!
BUYERS
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Low Inventory- Less Competition
It’s the law of supply and demand. If sellers believe spring and fall are the hot real estate times, they’ll hold off listing. Sure there may be less inventory on the market but also less competition! You may be able to find just the right house for you, without having to fight off other buyers.
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Lower Prices
With fewer buyers in the market, sellers may be willing to drop their prices to sell. Especially if a seller is forced to sell during winter. Maybe they need to move for a new job or financial issues are forcing them to sell - this might just work to a winter buyer’s advantage!
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Motivated Sellers
Not only may sellers be willing to drop the price, by they may be more motivated to negotiate on closing costs, the closing date or terms of sale. You just might be able to get all those appliances thrown in if a seller is motivated and rushed to sell in winter.
SELLERS
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Lower Inventory – Less Competition
That’s right! Winter works for sellers too! With fewer homes on the market, you might just get every available buyer walking through your door. By putting love and care into your home, you can kick up the winter homey feel and snag those buyers with fewer options available to them.
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Motivated Buyers
If a buyer is looking for a home in the winter, chances are they are serious! They may be moving for a new job, maybe they have a new baby on the way and need more space, or maybe they’re window shopping ahead of the spring and won’t want to lose out when all those spring buyers hit the street.
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More Disposable Income
Sure maybe folks are busy buying Christmas presents, but the holidays are also when people see financial bonuses. It might just be a great time to catch those buyers looking to buy their first home or upgrade their living situations with those extra holiday bonuses warming their pockets!
Posted by Kerri-lyn Holland on
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