House hunting in the Winter, especially here in the Lake George, can be somewhat of a drag. Less hours of sunlight during the day. Snow on the road. A wind chill. But the things that make some people not even entertain the idea of house hunting in the Winter can deliver a benefit to those who are willing to go against the crowds.
When I talk to perspective home buyers in the Fall and early Winter, many talk about waiting until Spring to look for a new home. But once I discuss the benefits of not delaying the house hunting, most are willing to start visiting open houses and securing their mortgage almost immediately. Here’s why.
- No one else is looking. If no one else is checking in on the homes for sale and open houses, that usually means you have your pick of scheduling a visit to a home you like. It also means that open houses are less crowded, so you have more privacy to discuss things with the house, as well as get more attention from the seller’s agent.
- Less competition for the house you want. Once you decide on a home you want to make an offer on, you can submit an offer knowing that there probably aren’t as many people giving the seller an offer as in warmer months. This could mean that you offer a lower bid and/or negotiate other costs involved in the sale of the home.
- Sellers more receptive. If someone is selling their home in the Winter, they are aware that it is not the season for house hunting. They understand offers are usually not as frequent. Also, when someone is selling during the Winter it 1) may be one that wasn’t able to sell during the Summer or 2) may be because of a pressing need, so the seller is eager to close. Do your research and get a feel if the seller is really eager. If so, you may find that you can get a good deal.
Now, every seller’s situation is different, so any one particular home may not fall into the category of ‘you can get a good deal on this home because it is Winter.’ But overall, the Winter months tend to more of a buyer’s market here in Lake George than the Spring is. If you want to head out to look for a new home this Winter, give me a call. I would be happy to show you some of the currently available real estate, as well as share other tips regarding getting the most out of your home search.