The hunt for the perfect home can be exhausting. Not only that, but the time of year you search for a house can greatly impact what you might pay or how many homes are available. While it is a buyer’s market, you should consider holding off for the right season. Whether you want the best price or the largest selection will determine what time of the year is best for house hunting.
Deals in the Winter
Not a lot of homeowners list their properties in the winter. In fact, those properties that you do find have probably been on the market since the previous spring, if not longer. The most obvious reason is that people don’t want to go house hunting when it’s snowing, icy and just plain miserable outside. Homeowners may also hold off on selling their home in the winter because the curb appeal is rather drab during the colder months of the year. However, as a home buyer, you stand to save a lot of money shopping for real estate in the winter. Not only are there fewer offers being made, but homeowners are usually ready to sell and willing to take less than the asking price. This gives you more room for negotiation, especially if that homeowner has already moved into another home and needs to sell right away.
Options in the Spring
Who doesn’t love spring. The flowers are in bloom, the trees are bursting with new leaves and there are more homes hitting the market. Spring is when most homeowners list their homes for sell. Not only is curb appeal the best it will be all year, but it’s proven to be a good time to attract buyers. This means you will find a large selection of homes that meet your criteria. Unfortunately, this may also mean paying more than the asking price to beat out other home buyers. Still, if you want the biggest selection possible, spring is definitely the season to shop for a new home. Just remember to do your homework and not get caught up in a bidding war, which could result in paying more than the home is worth.
The best time of the year to buy a home depends on what you’re looking for. If you want the best price, winter is definitely your best bet. However, spring will offer a much larger selection of homes – just be prepared to pay more.
About the Author: Michael Bensinger, CMA, CCMA, FLWD is a certified phlebotomist who works in a phlebotomist training center at his local hospital. He has spent the past 7 years living in an apartment and is preparing to purchase his first home. Visit http://www.associationphlebotomytraining.com/ to learn more about his career path and to find out how you can join the medical profession.





