Buying a home in January makes sense, even though its cold outside. Why? The reasons are plentiful, including the fact that the buyers are not. This means that if you’re buying, you won’t have much competition! The cold and the lack of curb appeal — save for a beautiful blanket of snow — tend to keep people away. So if you’re motivated to buy, you’ll have the advantage this time of year.
Another added bonus to buying in winter is seeing how your prospective home handles the harsh weather. Is the heating adequate? Are there drafts? You’ll be able to see first-hand roof, gutter and drainage issues. You can scope out ice hazards and potential problems.
Not only will there be fewer people looking to buy a home in January, the sellers will be more than motivated. Sellers who are selling in the winter likely have a very good reason they need to sell to do it at this time. As a buyer, this means that you’re going to get a better deal because they want out of that house faster. And, if you’re pre-qualified that will speed up the process even more.
And here’s where your real estate agent can really shine for you. With fewer clients to handle in the winter, you’ll get more time with your chosen real estate agent. There is less competition on the market, so quicker assistance puts you closer to getting questions answered and moving forward on next steps faster.