There Could Be Some Big Advantages!
With the first snowfall of the winter behind us, it’s safe to say that winter is here in spirit (if not officially until December 21st). That’s just one of the “advantages” of living in Canada!
There can be a perception out there that the best time to purchase a home is in the spring or summer, but the reality is that looking for a home in winter offers several advantages. Yes, you may need to go out in the cold for some viewings, but that’s what hats and mitts are for!
Here are some of the reasons why you might want to consider buying a home or other property in the winter months!
Motivated Sellers
The “summer is the best time to look for a home” bias doesn’t only apply to buyers. Sellers tend to want to wait until the warmer months to sell, and that gives you an advantage if they are putting their properties on the market at the end/beginning of the year.
If someone lists their house for sale in the dead of winter, they really want to sell. That means they are more likely to want to work with you, and less likely to waste the days waiting for other potential buyers who might put in a higher offer.
You should also take a look at how long a house has been on the market. If it’s been more than five months, and it’s January, then a buyer might be willing to accept a lower offer than they would in the springtime.
Less Competition
We’ve been working in real estate for years, and we know how competitive the housing market can be. That’s why we take advantage of the times in the year when there is less competition. For example, winter!
Many buyers don’t want to move out of their current home and into their new one while it is cold and snowing. And so, they only look during the warmer months. But if you are willing to buy in the winter, there are fewer buyers to go around, putting your offer at a premium.
Less Competition for Realtors
Fewer buyers mean that real estate agents tend to be a little less busy during the winter months. That means you could get more personal attention from them than you would in the spring or summer.
Mind you, your realtor should be paying attention to your needs year-round. But most of them do tend to have some more flexibility when it’s colder, so you should absolutely take advantage.
Better Choices for Movers
Again, movers are in a similar situation as sellers and realtors in the wintertime. There is simply less work to do!
But the good news is that means you can get an increased level of flexibility from movers during the winter months than you would in the summer. They might even offer a discounted rate. Admittedly, it’s a bit more of a headache to move homes when there is snow on the ground, but it could be worth it for the savings!
You Get to REALLY See What You’re Paying For!
It’s amazing what some nice weather and leaves on trees can do to make a house look attractive.
During the summertime, houses look their best. But it’s in the wintertime that you really get to see how it handles the weather. Same goes for the neighbourhood. Consider that you’re living in Canada, and we can expect cold weather for at least five months of the year!
A house might be warm and inviting in the summertime, but walk into it in the winter, and you may discover that it’s drafty and freezing. It’s easy to forget about the headache of shovelling when the grass is green, but seeing snow piled high along the driveway will give you a better idea of your potential wintertime workload. And you should also take a look at the front and back yards while you’re at it. As picturesque as they are in the summer, they might look a LOT different in the winter.
Much like a house, a neighbourhood can look inviting and lovely during the summer. But it could be a very different situation come wintertime. For example, how far will you need to travel to get groceries? Are the streets and other homes well maintained and salted? Pay attention as you are driving to see the home to find out what the neighbourhood will be like in January.
There are dozens of advantages to looking for a new home in the winter, but you need to know what you’re looking for. Over the years, we’ve invested in many properties between November and March, and have landed some amazing properties as a result!
If you’re looking to invest in real estate this upcoming winter reason, we invite you to book a consultation with us today! With our help, you can make an investment that will not only be a fantastic deal but also deliver a tremendous return come the summer months!
Regalway Homes | info@regalwayhomes.com | +1 844-977-2679