Articles

'Tis the season to be house hunting. Yep, you heard us right; if you're looking to score a deal on your dream home, the end of the year is a great time to do it.

Now, you may be asking yourself, "Who would want to trek to open houses in 20-degree weather when you could be curled up by the fireplace at home?" And the answer would be: People who really, really want to get a good deal. So come out from under the blankets and pull on your boots, because the deals are waiting… if you want them badly enough.

Competition is Way Less Fierce

The most obvious, and most significant reason why you should house hunt at the end of the year is simple: fewer people are doing it. It's much easier to sell a home during the warmer weather, when sprawling lawns and sparkling swimming pools attract buyers left and right. But when that disappears during the early winter, so do a lot of the prospective buyers.

Everyone's Itching for Tax-imum Benefits

Circle, underline, and highlight it: TAXES. Buying at the end of the year can be a huge opportunity for buyers, since sellers really want to sell their property for income tax purposes.

Sellers Have One Foot Out the Door

Whether it's empty nesters looking to head south before the dead of winter, or a new job that starts January 1, properties on the market at the end of the year scream "take me!" "The homes still on the market have sellers that usually need to sell for a reason.

You Can Take Your Time

The spring is such a competitive time for house hunting that buyers sometimes leap before they look… and realize they've made a rash decision. In the Spring, buyers often need to make an offer within an hour or two of the open house when the property is first opened to the public. To be competitive, buyers may need to waive an inspection, bid without a second showing, and not fully explore what would be needed to address suspected issues.

T.J. Whitlow | MarMac Real Estate | www.marmac.us | 256-766-8499