Should I Buy a House in the Winter?

I had a buyer say to me, “I would never buy a house in the winter.”

Actually, the winter months can be a great time to buy a house! Here are some reasons why:

See Potential Issues, That You Might Not Notice Otherwise

• It’s a good time to tell if the home is heated to a comfortable level, without the heating system being overworked. Ask to see the heating bills.
• It’s a good time to see if there are cold spots in the home.
• You can tell if the gas seals in the windows are good or leaking, the window will have a foggy, wet look in between the glass.
• You can feel for drafts, which will indicate inadequate draft proofing.
• It’s a good time to check for heaving concrete drives and walkways, caused by frost expanding, which makes surfaces rise.
• It’s a great time to check for ice damming on the roof, due to heat loss in the roof, or lack of ventilation. Some roofs are known to form icicles, but it doesn’t necessarily mean heat loss. Ask me why.
• Winter is a good time to see if there is truss uplift, due to extreme cold.
• It is a good time to see if there is a high density population of rodents that need to be evicted.
• It’s a good time to see if snow drifts in certain areas.

 

Other Reasons

• Some sellers will really need to sell, so they may be motivated in the winter, when there are fewer buyers.
• There will be less competition for you.
• There will be no mud (like in spring and fall) when you move in.
• Fewer folks move in the winter, so it will be easier to find a moving truck.
• The pros (lawyers, home inspectors, contractors, etc.) might be more available to help you out.

As you can see, there are many reasons why it is just fine to buy a house in the winter. If you have any questions at all, feel free to call, text, or email me.

I would love to hear from you. I’ll never get pushy or try to persuade you to buy something that isn’t right for you.

Thanks very much and have a great day!