If you’ve set a goal to purchase a home before the end of 2018 and are discouraged as the holidays approach, don’t quit yet! Although the summer months are the hottest for home buying, holding out for your dream home as the leaves fall and snowflakes fly have some great advantages.
When the summer season fades, so does the competition. You’ll be less likely to get into a bidding war during the fall and winter months which can save you thousands of dollars. Also, sellers may get discouraged with minimal potential buyers viewing their home so they may be more willing to wiggle on the price. If they’re motivated and don’t want to wait two or three months for interest to pick up, they may even completely drop the asking prices. They may also be more inclined to assist you with a percentage of your closing costs, it never hurts to ask. There are a lot of reasons, both financial and personal, why someone might be looking to sell their house during this traditionally sluggish time. Whether the sellers have a new job, are empty-nesters, or can no longer afford to stay, chances are their eagerness to close on a sale could be your gain.
There are still some tax benefits for purchasing a home and whether you are self-employed or are a standard W-2 employee, every little bit counts when it comes to tax deductions. So long as you close on the house prior to December 31st, you’ll be able to reap some of the mortgage related deductions such as mortgage interest, property taxes and points. This can drastically reduce your tax liability and potentially save you thousands.
Although moving in the winter isn’t the ideal situation, you may find that moving companies are more available and charge less than in summer months. Also, many employers give time off around the holidays and it would be a great to take advantage of it for moving, unpacking and settling in.
Purchasing in the winter months gives you the true picture of a home before you buy it. What home doesn’t look fantastic during the summer with blooming gardens, fresh cut grass and plenty of curb appeal? Looking at a house in the winter actually gives you a more accurate idea of what you’re going to be living with for years to come. It’s better to know now than after you’ve signed for a 30-year mortgage.
In the end, though, only you know which makes the most sense for your family. Don’t rush into the biggest purchase you’ll ever make just because you’re trying to take advantage of a small seasonal discount. It’s important to do thorough research and to see a lot of places before making a final decision.
Whether you are looking for a place to live, work or play in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, you have come to the right place. Alpine Lakes Real Estate’s talented team of full-service agents would be honored to assist you in your real estate endeavors, so let us know how we can help you! Our agency handles residential, commercial, land, new construction, resort development, 1031 exchanges, seasonal and long-term rentals. Contact us if you have questions or would like to learn more about living in northern New Hampshire.