5 TRICKS FOR BUYING DURING THE WINTER SEASON

1. Understand the Pros

Each season has its own pros and cons, and the winter season is no different. With the cold weather there comes a variety of challenges as well as benefits for investors. On the plus side, there ​are a lot less buyers in the market. Winter is a time when people like to stay put and avoid major moves. This works to your advantage as you’ll find less competition for the properties you find.

2. Anticipate the Cons

It is a challenge to search for a home when the temperature is low. Snow, puddles, ice – all of this can make for some difficult terrain to go looking for a house. It can also be burdensome to look at this like driveways and patios when the weather isn’t cooperating. It can also be a challenge to thoroughly inspect a home during the winter but you can find a home inspector that has experience looking at homes during the winter season.

3. Be flexible

The holidays are busy and often stressful. Even the most motivated sellers cannot drop everything to meet you at a property. This flexibility should be also applied to closing. Things like appraisals, inspections or other aspects of the process may be delayed by the weather.  Consider all circumstances.

​4. Do your research

It is very important for you to investigate all the aspects of a home. Request pictures of the property in different seasons, the backyard, the patio, etc. Ask for documentation that supports any work they have done on the home in the past years that you can and cannot see because of the snow.

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5. Don’t compromise

Realized you are in a powerful position when buying a home in the winter. If a property has been on the market for a while, it’s totally acceptable to provide an offer below asking. If a property isn’t exactly what you are looking for, if it’s not your dream home or something feels a bit off about it, don’t panic, just go on to the next one. If you don’t fnd the property that you want it will turn up later.