Holiday House Buying

    

    Who on earth goes looking for a house during the holiday season? Not many people. It's a fact. But that could be the reason you should.

    Most serious house shoppers put their search on hold the week before Thanksgiving, and they don't get back around to the hunt until around Valentine's Day. 

    Because of that, in a market where there's limited inventory, the buyers who keep looking may find the competition is a bit less fierce for the best properties. And the buyer who's willing to take on a bit of a project may be able to negotiate a much better price in a chillier market. In addition, most Realtors are less busy, too, leaving them more time to do some previewing for you. A Realtor who understands what you want can eliminate all but the most likely homes. If you're looking in an area that is far from where you currently live, that's a huge plus, particularly when the weather can make traveling an iffy affair. In the Catskills, you might have clear roads today and a nor'easter tomorrow.

    Many sellers drop their prices, at least a little, as winter begins in upstate New York. And once the snow starts sticking, many of them take their properties off the market completely until spring. So if a property is marked as "withdrawn," that doesn't mean it's not for sale. They're just pausing. If a buyer shows up with a solid offer, they're more than happy to sell. And they may actually be more motivated. If the property is vacant, they may save on some of the costs of warming an empty house through the winter. If they're still in residence, it gives them the coldest months to pack up and organize before moving out. 

    Now, more than ever, it's important to look at the market when making an offer. What else has sold in that general area, and for how much? How does it compare to the property you're interested in? A Realtor can give you a list of comparable properties and advise you on an offer that walks that important middle road between appealing and insulting.  Yes, Zillow has their notorious "Zestimates," but they're highly unreliable outside of urban and suburban areas. Dig deeper and get better information if you want your offer to be accepted.

    Is it more challenging to move in the winter? It is. I've done it. In fact, our family once moved into a house December 23rd. It was an experience. But, we started the new year in our new home, and the chaos of it was just another part of our family story. It can be done. And it can be fun.

    It may also get you into a home you might not get if you wait for spring.