5 Tips for Purchasing A Home in the Winter
Winter is a unique time of year to buy a home. There will typically be less selection available, as the majority of sellers and buyers alike prefer to work during the busy seasons of spring and summer. At the same time, along with this lower selection comes increased motivation from the people who are still selling. This means that, if you play your cards right, you may walk away with a spectacular deal on a home that might have otherwise been above your range.
Here are 5 tips that will help you find the best deal possible as you search for a home this winter.
- Stay on your toes. Though you will probably be facing much less competition during the winter than you would in the summer, it is important to understand that the very best deals still tend to get snatched up pretty quickly. For this reason, it is imperative to stay active on the market and be ready to jump on that deal of a lifetime that can get you into the home of your dreams.
- Come Approved. Lots of sellers on the winter market are looking to make a deal as quickly as possible, so coming pre-approved for a loan will give you even more leverage in the negotiations. For homeowners awaiting the financial relief of a sale, for example, the knowledge that a potential buyer has been approved for a loan may be well worth a discounted price!
- Protect yourself from potential problems. Home inspections, an important line of defense for home buyers, can sometimes be difficult to carry out with 100% thoroughness when winter weather conditions such as accumulating snow come into play. This is why it is usually a good idea to get a legally notarized affidavit from the owners of the home swearing that there are no undisclosed problems with the home.
- Pay attention to the heating. On a converse note–you will have a special chance to see the heating in action, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity. (Especially if you live in an area prone to very cold winters.) Noticing that the upstairs rooms are very cold and drafty, for example, may lead you to reevaluate the offer you make on a home. Similarly, it is probably a good idea to ask the current home owners for a copy of the heating bills–this is an important cost that you deserve to be aware of.
- Negotiate. Last but not least, we will reiterate a point touched on throughout the article: you are in a buyer’s market. Take advantage of this, and don’t be shy about negotiating a price that is truly friendly to you. The savings you attain by pushing for a great price could have a significant impact on your life for many years to come.
Visit our for sale listings here at Blue Marble Properties. We may have the perfect deal for you right here in the Central Virginia area!