« Back to BOE Blogs

Purchasing a home in winter could save you BIG $$

Published: November 2016
Author: Bank of England Mortgage Staff

New information demonstrates that prospective buyers could save money by purchasing a home in the late fall and winter over the late spring. Information for the 50 most crowded metro areas in the United States over two years uncovers that home costs topped during summer and dunked in fall and winter, implying that buyers could save thousands. As fall nears, listing values somewhat fall. There are local changes as well. For instance, the biggest drop amongst summer and fall was in the Hartford-West Hartford-East region of Hartford, Connecticut.

Realtor.com's chief economist, Jonathan Smoke, said, "If your circumstances give you the freedom to be able to choose the best time to look to sign a contract on a new home, there's no question that the market dynamics favor you the most to do that in the dead of winter..."

So, When's the Best Time to Buy a New Home?

Everybody realizes that spring is the best time to purchase or offer a house? The weather is nicer, there are more buyers, and kids are nearing the school year end. It's easily the busiest time in the real estate year.

Land and home building specialists say that an accentuation on the spring home purchasing season has its roots in practical reasons and in some enduring misperceptions about the marketplace.

One things for sure, in spring, individuals who have been cooped up over the winter are prepared to bust free, get out and test the daylight. Also, for some, a potential address change around then fits pleasantly with the school calendar.

Reconsidering the Seasons

Many real estate brokers recommended that the best time to offer their property for sale is in the fall or winter.

"True, in fall and winter, you have less inventory out there, fewer homes to look at. But people who are buying a home in fall or winter, those are serious buyers." Said recently by a real estate broker in Huntsville, Alabama.

It may feel good to have 35 people come through your open house in May, of which most are less than serious buyers. It deems more favorable and less time consuming on everyone's part to have a couple people with their agents come through in December that are ready to buy and serious about it.

What's Your Moving Timetable?

One approach to set an individual real estate timetable is to choose when you need to be in (or out of) a house, and work in reverse from that point. The time it takes from contract to closing table can differ regionally, but agents recommend that a month is sensible. For most homebuyers the entire process from finding a home to backing up the moving truck is 2-3 months.

For sellers, it will rely on local market situations and value, both of which have experienced a change in numerous areas since the first of the year.

In the event that you expect to move into a recently constructed home, planning backward from a move-in date is even more critical. Builders Offer Both Built-from-Scratch and Quick Move-In Homes. You have a few timelines to consider. If you're buying a quick move-in or "spec" home – a home that is built on speculation– the time from contract to move-in might fit that one-month (or slightly longer) span.

If you're outlining and building a home starting with no outside help with a production or large volume manufacturer it could take 4-6 months. It may take longer if building a new home from scratch with a smaller or custom builder.

Real Estate Agent Advice for Buying and Selling in the Winter

You may have doubts about being one of those house seekers conquering the rain, hail or snow to locate your ideal home in the winter months. But, as these tips from two experienced real estate agents will say, winter real estate is full of possibilities.

"Buyers who are house hunting in the winter ought to keep their inquiry going, paying little mind to the season", states a realtor in the industry for over 26 years, "…a home that meets their optimal criteria and at the right cost can appear available whenever."

Advice from one realtor, suggests a few things to help close a deal more quickly. "Have an agent who can keep you educated of any present and more up to date listings as a seller. A skilled real estate agent can charm and wow a winter buyer over the competition in any season." "Concentrate on getting your funding in order so that you can submit aggressive offers."

Oftentimes, the down payment isn't the biggest concern for sellers. It's more about the financing type, short inspection periods, short closing periods, and if you can give the seller time to stay in the home after closing if they need it."