You’ve likely heard that spring/summer is traditionally the peak real estate season. Children are out of school, listed properties look their best, and homebuyers are more eager to get outside and view open houses. However, there are plenty of advantages to buying a home in the fall.
Fewer Buyers and Motivated Sellers – As home sales begin to cool off from the summer, sellers will become more motivated to sell their home before the holiday season rolls around. Since other buyers may have settled into their new home before school starts, there will be fewer buyers to compete with. If a home is still on the market from the summer into the fall, sellers will most likely be eager to close sooner than later. This gives you an opportunity to see if the seller is willing to make a deal with you. This time of year when days get shorter and weather can be much worse in certain parts of the country, many buyers would rather wait until the spring to avoid the harsh weather – and that means less competition!
Sales on Home Furnishings – When buying a home, one thing that may be crossing your mind is how you are going to furnish your new space. Lawn equipment, kitchen appliances, and other types of furniture that you’ll need to complete your space will begin to add up quickly. Take advantage of the fall months to purchase these big-ticket items – specifically from September to November. These months are ideal to purchase these expensive household items because they usually go on sale during this time from Labor Day to Black Friday.
Autumn Can be Revealing – Although the autumn season can be extremely beautiful – from the leaves changing colors to the cold crisp air and warm hearty food – the fall season can reveal things about a prospective home that you may not have noticed in the spring or summer. Let me explain: In the spring and summer, the flora surrounding the home may look beautiful, but it could be hiding imperfections about the home. When autumn rolls in and the leaves begin to fall, you’ll be able to see flaws – if there are any. Exterior cracks, peeling paint, foundation cracks, worn areas of the roof or windows, and other issues with the home’s exterior will be more apparent in the fall.
Flexibility on Moving Dates – Fall is one of the most flexible times to move for a couple of reasons. For one, moving companies are less busy because it is their off-season. Families with children and college students have already settled in and unpacked before September starts. You’ll have more leeway with choosing a moving date that is ideal for you – instead of getting stuck on a random Wednesday because that’s the only time your moving company can fit you in. Since sellers can also be more flexible in the fall, it may be possible to negotiate a move-in date that better suits you.
