Whether you planned to search for a home during the holiday season (November to January) or outside forces made the decision for you, you’re actually house hunting at a good time.  While there is less inventory in July, there will also be less competition.  There are more advantages at this time of year as there are fewer buyers for one and the homeowner; if their property has been on the market for a while may let the sale of their property go below asking price.  Sellers may be willing to stay in their homes through the end of the calendar year, but rest assured, they’ll want to seal the deal for the New Year. Just because there are limited buyers doesn’t mean you’ll get a fire sale price, sellers who keep their homes on the market through the winter typically are motivated but also willing to wait until they get a fair and reasonable offer.  Every home and every seller are different; here are 12 tips to remember when looking for a home during the holidays.

1. Balance your budget – Have a firm number you can comfortably afford for a mortgage. The last thing you want to do is make yourself house-poor.
2. Check your credit – You don’t want your lender to be surprised by any forgotten accounts – good or bad. more