Why is it a great time to go house hunting during the holidays?

Holidays are just around the corner! With another Thanksgiving Day come and gone and year-end holidays looming nearer, Americans are preoccupied with their traditional holiday to-do lists like party planning and gift shopping. However, some families might find this season is prime for hunting down a bargain on a home.

House-hunting over the holidays is advantageous for a number of reasons. A handful of the benefits buying a home during the holidays include:

1. Homes are priced to sell. Sellers who are actively looking to sell their homes during the holiday months – namely, October through December – are serious about shedding the weight of their residences. This often works in favor of savvy buyers looking to get a deal on discounted homes.

2. For a typical residential property being put on the market for sale this time of year, [this] might be indicative of a necessity to [sell], and if so, buyers are in a better position to negotiate,” says Bennie Waller, a professor of finance and real estate at Longwood University in Virginia This necessity may be a result of a recent divorce, job relocation or other sudden financial shift the seller has faced during an unfortunate time of year.

2. There is less competition. Having less competition on the buyer’s side can mean lower prices on homes, in addition to fewer counter-offers to compete against. Without as many buyers eyeing a potential new home, shoppers have a greater likelihood of keeping savings on their side by avoiding the price creep consistent with multiple buyers interested in the same property.

3. Interest rates are still low. Interest rates have been consistently low since the Federal Reserve suppressed rates to near zero. While the Fed has announced rates will remain low on mortgage loans at least into 2015, there’s no denying the eventuality that rates are starting on the upward course.
Cody Kessler, a mortgage loan originator and founder of the Kessler Lending Advisors in Maryland, warns homebuyers that the mortgage loan market is “at the cusp” of a turnaround when it comes to rising interest rates. This means that for those who are looking to buy a home, the holiday season may be the last time to lock in low loan rates that could potentially start to climb as early as spring 2014.

4. People are in the holiday spirit. In general, people are more inclined to put in a little more effort to help others out during the holidays. This is also true of companies on the receiving end of the mortgage loan approval process.

My recommendation – get a real estate agent like myself. A top negotiator and someone who knows and fully understands the real estate market. A bargain hunter that can find deals and is willing to work non-stop during the holidays.]

If interested, please give me a call: Claire Hultin @  415-933-3191 and I’d be happy to help you find those holiday deals!