The holiday season is that time of the year when we become much more generous. It is also the moment which makes us consider finding our dream home or a beautiful holiday place that we will share with our family and loved ones. There is nothing more exciting than buying a new house but is December and January the best time to do that? Here are some valuable insights to keep in mind if you buying or even selling a property over the holidays.
Are you a determined house-hunter waiting for the next juicy deal? According to experts, anyone selling at this time of the year is definitely in a need so you have to take advantage of the seller’s urgency. People are not crazy about selling their property at the end of the year due to a lot of factors. We are busy with making holiday plans, arranging celebrations, buying gifts or simply wrapping the year. It might get pretty hectic at work as well. This is why sellers are often under pressure and really motivated to cut the deal as soon as possible which will give you enough space to negotiate.
If you are wondering whether to risk and sell your property during the holidays maybe this will convince you. The competition is much lower than during any other season which means you can freely play with the price. What is more, people tend to open their pockets wider when the festive season arrives. The combination of those two gives you the ultimate leverage.
There are a few challenges that might come across your way if you decide to go for a holiday property bargain. Keep in mind that the market will not be able to provide you with a great variety of properties at that time of the year. As a result, you might have to go through your “dream-home-list” and reconsider it. In such case, experts also suggest that you could tap into homes that are not on the market. Simply try old posts. Maybe they are still not sold. If this does not help, contact a broker and ask them to send emails to people in the neighbourhood you are interested in to check whether there are homes which are not listed yet.
Another important thing to remember is the fact a lot of people go on a leave in December. Do not expect that mortgage companies and real estate agents, banks and consulting houses will be working extra hours during holidays. In some countries, free days vary. Make sure you have all your ducks in a row before you go for the big thing.
Additionally, it might be a bit awkward to walk into someone’s house during the holidays. Imagine the scene. The whole family is around the fire place snuggling and you are there for a viewing. This should not bother you though. If you are a serous buyer the owners already expect you. What is more, if you have already taken the decision of dealing with such business during the festive season then you probably have a sincere interest in buying a property.
Do you really want to sell your house while winter is kicking in? If so, make sure you prepare your home for viewing. Make it look nice, warm and cosy. Set the fireplace on, turn on the heaters and let as much as light as possible. Some real estate agents recommend lightening candles with cinnamon scent. Why not even decorate. Convince the buyer that this is the best holiday place in the world.
Last, but not least, do not despair! According to a Redfin study “more than one million homes between 2011 and 2013 in 19 major markets had some startling conclusions”. The bottom line is, whether you aim to sell or buy a property during the season, get to know what the market can offer you and play your cards well.