Winter is coming, go house hunting

Could winter be the ideal time to buy a home?

Experts say opportunity knocks for those willing to brave the elements and be flexible.

HGTV.com and Realtor.com shared the following three benefits of house hunting now instead of waiting for the peak seasons of spring and summer.

Less competition: There’s a reason why peak season is in the warmer months. Who wants to go out in the cold to find a house? That’s why experts say sellers who have their house up for sale in winter tend to be very motivated, giving buyers an edge in negotiation. Think about it: your willingness to go out when everyone else wants to stay indoors can help you save money on your dream home. For the deepest discounts, experts suggest asking realtors to start the search with listings that have been on the market the longest. 

Quicker turnaround: Once you find your dream home, get the inspections and make an offer, you may close faster than in the summer.  With 25% to 30% fewer homes sold in winter, lenders have fewer mortgages to process, which means you’ll be on a fast track to closing. 

Save money on moving: Moving companies aren’t as busy in the winter months. Not only can you take advantage of discounts and deals, but scheduling is easier and more likely to happen based on what’s most convenient for you.

Myriam DiGiovanni

Myriam DiGiovanni

After writing for Credit Union Times and The Financial Brand, Myriam DiGiovanni covers financial literacy for FinancialFeed. She is also a storytelling expert and works with credit unions to help ... Web: www.financialfeed.com Details