Buying or Selling a Home in Winter: What You Need to Know
Ann K. • March 22, 2020
Buying or Selling a Home in Winter: What You Need to Know
People don't buy or sell a home in the winter.....Right?.... Wrong!
In fact, if you checked the numbers, you’d find that roughly 1/4 of homes purchased in Northern NJ are done during the coldest months of the year. In 2018 there were 6,900 residential home sales in Bergen County for the entire a year. 1,600 of those purchased took place in the winter months of 2017/2018. The same can be said for the winter of 2016/2017. 2019 is already trending upwards.
The amount of homes that are bought and sold in the winter is nothing to sneeze at.
If you’re wondering if you should put off buying or selling a home until spring, why wait? You may be surprised to learn that there are actually advantages to buying or selling.
What are the advantages? Let's find out!
Selling a Home in Winter
Ok sellers, lets checkout the perks of selling when the air gets chilly.
The Internet Has No Seasons
Most buyers go online to search for homes, no matter what the temperature is outside. In fact, nearly 90% of all buyers used the internet during their home search. The instant access to property listings has had a huge impact over the years on the typical seasons buyers look for homes. Yes, spring is still the hottest home-buying season however serious home buyers are always on the lookout. Checking the latest listings on their device for their most ideal home and deal. So even though the weather may be changing, it won’t stop home buyers from shopping.
Less Sellers In The Winter Months
Winter is a sellers market. Come spring, sellers will flood the market and your home will be just another fish in a great big ocean. But in the winter months you’ve got a limited number of sellers on the market. With buyers having fewer homes to choose from, you'll sell your house faster.
Buyers Mean Business In The Winter Months
The average person wants to curl up next to a warm fire on a cold winter day. If buyers are enduring the freezing weather or breaking away from their holidays to look at your home, you know they're serious. Some winter buyers are working against a deadlines, some an expiring lease, some have a contract on their current home or looking for a great deal.
Time Off During The Holidays
Think people are less likely to see your home in the midst of their hectic holiday schedules? For some that can definitely be true. However most people also have more time off around the holidays. That means more time for browsing on their favorite home apps, day dreaming about their future decor, and yes, even scheduling home showings.
Tips for Selling in the Winter
Here are a few tips to help you set the buying mood:
Keep it simple. If you’re selling around a holiday and have decorations up, make sure they accent—not overpower—a room. Less is more.Crank up the cozy. Light a fire in the hearth, play soft holiday music in the background, and prepare fresh-baked goods or mulled cider for guests. Shine a light outside. Winter days get dark early. Brighten your home’s exterior with outdoor spotlights.
Take down outside decor. Nothing says “my home won’t sell” like a house with reindeer inflatables on the lawn after the holiday. Avoid a winter wonderland. Snow is great, unless we’re talking about outside shots of your home. Buyers want to see details of the house, not a blanket of snow. Make sure you have clear-weather photos of your home.
Remember, the nicer your home looks, the more likely it is to sell—and for more money.
Buying a Home in Winter
Home buyers! Now your turn, lets roll! Here are the benefits of buying a house when the weather outside is not so delightful.
Less Buyers
Okay, we've established that there are less homes sales in winter. You typically won’t have to deal with as many competing buyers as you would if you waited to buy in spring. Which probably means you don’t have to worry as much about someone else snagging your dream home before you can submit their offer, or about getting caught in a bidding war. It’s kind of like when someone brings in holiday treats to share with the office, but most of your coworkers are out of town. You get first dibs!
Better Deals
Since supply and demand are both down during the winter months, you'll be able to save money on your purchase. And hey, if you’re able to knock tens of thousands of dollars off your home purchase, that might make any challenges of buying during the wintertime worthwhile.
Mortgage Rate Fluctuations
If you’re getting a mortgage, you might be able to lock in a good interest rate before the new year hits. Having a lower interest rate would save you money as you work to pay off your new home.
Witness the Home’s Durability
House hunting in winter gives you a chance to see how your potential new home handles harsh weather. Sure, moving to a new home during the spring and summer is probably a lot easier than when you have to bundle up and deal with icy roads. But suppose you fall in love with a house even with the weather at its worst. Then you can be confident that living there will only get better from here on out!
Tips for Buying in the Winter
Negotiate with confidence.
Remember, there isn’t much competition. So, sellers will probably be willing to work with you. If the home inspection brings up some issues, don’t be afraid to ask your seller to make repairs or lower the asking price.
Ready to Buy or Sell Your Home in Winter?
With all these advantages on your side, hopefully buying or selling your home in the winter won’t feel so daunting. We know you’ve probably got a lot on your plate this time of year though. Let my team and I take care of that for you.
Contact Christian Di Stasio for questions or start the buying process at 646-280-7136
Sources: NJMLS, GSMLS, D. Ramsey.
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Plan for Closing Costs Closing costs are often overlooked but can add thousands to your total home purchase. In Bergen County, closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price. Common expenses include: Title insurance and legal fees Transfer taxes and recording fees Property taxes escrow Lender origination fees Ask your lender for a Loan Estimate early in the process, and your agent for ways to negotiate with sellers to cover a portion of the costs. 8. Evaluate Commute and Transportation Access Bergen County is prized for its commute-friendly towns , especially for those working in New York City. But each town’s transit access varies. Consider: NJ Transit train lines (available in Glen Rock, Ridgewood, Rutherford) Express bus routes (popular in Fort Lee, Teaneck) Highway access to Route 4, I-80, and the Garden State Parkway Make sure your preferred neighborhood supports your daily travel needs—test the commute during rush hour if possible. 9. 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