The holidays and winter months shouldn’t be ignored as good times to buy real estate. In fact, most holiday seasons I stay busy negotiating and closing deals for my buyers. There is no doubt that many sellers take their homes off the market in December and wait for the warmer, dryer springtime to re-list their homes. But if you are a buyer during this time, here are some helpful hints:

1. Don’t be afraid of a little bad weather. Brave the elements and keep looking at homes, and you just might be rewarded by finding the perfect place to hang your hat.

2. Look beyond dormant landscaping. It’s true that homes don’t always look their best when the landscape isn’t in full bloom. But if you learn to recognize some of the plants and trees and flowers surrounding a property, you might soon realize that there is a wonderful garden just waiting to surprise you.

3. Don’t settle for just the currently active listings. Ask your Realtor to check for listings that have been temporarily taken off the market to see if any of them still want to sell. I often contact colleagues about properties that I know are temporarily off the market, and we will set up a special showing to see if the property meets my buyer’s needs.

4. Motivated sellers are often flexible sellers. Sometimes you’ll find that a seller whose home is listed throughout the holidays is a truly motivated seller, and they will entertain a lower offer than they normally would. That’s money in the bank for a buyer who is just as motivated.

5. Hire the right Realtor! An agent who is creative, motivated, flexible and energetic throughout the holiday and winter months can help you find the right home. And remember, as a buyer, you do not pay the Realtor’s commission – our fees are paid by the seller.

For more tips, or to answer any of your questions about real estate, please give me a call. And, by the way, Happy Holidays!

Posted by:  Deborah Byrne