Month: December 2020

Homebuying in the Winter: Why You Should Buy a Home Now

Homebuying in Winter

Buying a home is a big responsibility. It is one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You need to make sure that you can afford a mortgage, and all of the responsibilities that come with homeownership.

That being said, many people believe that there are certain times when it is better to buy a home. Many believe that winter is one of the best times.

Here are some reasons why you may want to consider buying a home in the new year.

You can see how the house will hold up in the harshest of conditions.

Winter brings a lot of harsh conditions: snow, sleet, ice, and cold temperatures, especially in our Lakeville and Apple Valley area! When visiting homes during this time, you will be able to see if the roof is strong enough to deal with the snowfall. Leaks will be easily seen as the snow melts off of the roof.

As cold as it is, you will be able to see how efficient the heating system is. If the home seems drafty even with the heat going, you may have to replace the heating system or there may be other issues that need to be taken care of.

Home inspections during the winter can also be very informative. A good home inspector will notice things that most people wouldn’t, so it is important to hire a good inspector to go through the home.

You may be able to get a better deal on a home in the winter.


Many people reduce the cost of their home during the winter. In fact, home prices in January are usually the lowest that they will ever be! Many people reduce the price of their home by several thousand dollars in order to get them sold throughout the winter.

Add in the fact that there is less competition and you will surely be able to find the perfect home at the right price for you!

Not many people want to move in the winter months, so you shouldn’t have to worry about competing for homes. During the summer months, you may find your contract competing with several other ones, meaning that you may have to pay more in order to get that particular home. Since there are fewer people searching for homes in January, you shouldn’t have to go into a bidding war when you finally find the right home.

In fact, many consider January to be a buyer’s market.

Though many believe that spring is a seller’s market, January seems to be a buyer’s market. So, what does this mean for you? A buyer’s market means that you should be able to buy the perfect home for a good price.

When we use the term buyer’s market, we mean that you will be able to negotiate to your advantage. Since many sellers become desperate to sell their homes, they are more likely to work with the buyers to get it done. This leads to better deals and more affordable homes for buyers.

No matter what time of year it is, the best time to buy a home is when you are financially ready to! You need to have a good down payment and know what you can afford to spend each month on a mortgage. It helps to get pre-approved before you start looking so that you make sure that you find a home that you can afford. However, if you are close to being ready, you may want to try to buy a home in January, when the prices are lower and you will be able to negotiate better to get the home that you want, at a price that you can afford.

Image credit: peterspiro| iStock | Getty Images Plus

5 Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays

Some folks in the real estate biz would call the holiday season–the period roughly from November through January–the worst possible time to sell a home. But there’s always a silver lining if you’re willing to see it. There are actually some significant benefits to putting your home on the market during the holidays. 

For starters, your real estate agent will be better able to give you their undivided attention, and you’ll also be able to target serious buyers more easily. That being said, you’ll need every advantage you can get. Here’s how to give yourself an edge when you’re selling a home during the holidays. 

Work with a Great Real Estate Agent

The right agent can do wonders for you when you need to sell your home fast, especially during this challenging season. Above all, you need someone reliable who will put in the hours and won’t disappear just because it’s the holidays. A good way to find the right real estate agent is to check references and ask about their strategy for selling homes like yours during the holiday season. Chances are, they’ll have some tricks up their sleeve. Having a really great seller’s agent in your corner is one of the greatest advantages you can get. 

Deck the Halls… Tastefully

Consider your holiday decorations carefully. A bit of tasteful holiday decor is a great way to make your house stand out and feel like a warm, welcoming place. Keep it simple: a wreath on the door, some clear string lights, a star at the top of the spruce tree out front. Avoid bright, garish displays and over-the top inflatables. You want your house to offer a serene, peaceful holiday ambiance, not a circus-like atmosphere. It’s also a good idea to keep decorations as non-denominational as possible to avoid turning off any potential buyers who might come from a different religious background.. 

Create a Virtual Tour

These days, open houses are increasingly giving way to online showings and virtual tours. With that in mind, hiring a professional to create a 3D virtual tour of your home is a great idea regardless of the season. But in winter, when sleet and snow make the idea of driving out to visit an open house seem less appealing than ever, virtual tours are especially important. Give potential buyers a chance to explore your house in all its glory from the comfort of their living room. 

Emphasize Curb Appeal

First impressions are of the utmost importance when selling your home, and fall and winter are times when you need to really make curb appeal a priority. If the trees are bare, then your home will be even more exposed, so be extra vigilant about touching up flaking paint, adjusting saggy gutters and keeping the porch clear. If there are fallen leaves on your lawn, rake them up into neat piles until they start to look soggy, and then bag them up. If there’s snow on the ground, make sure your walkways are shoveled and salted. 

Seek Out Motivated Buyers

The good news is that people who are out looking at homes during the holidays are serious about buying. The bad news is that there are fewer of them. You and your real estate agent will have to work a little harder to target the right buyers. Focus on folks who are relocating for work in your area, investors looking to buy a home before the tax deadline, students and families of students looking to buy a home before the next semester begins. 

The holiday season is meant to be enjoyed, and if you happen to be selling a home this time of year, there are indeed reasons to rejoice. With a little effort, it might just be one of the best seasons to put your home on the market.

Image credit: peterspiro| iStock | Getty Images Plus