Christmas: a time for egg nog, mistletoe, and…buying a home? Between travel plans, budgeting your holiday, and picking out gifts, buying a new home may be the last thing on your mind. However, if you’re a well-informed buyer with the right mindset, you may want to reconsider.

The Stigma

As you consider your options in December, you may hear people tell you that you would be better off waiting a few more months. This is based on the idea that there are less houses to go around because sellers aren’t keen on the stress of selling their home during the holidays.

The Buyer’s Advantage

While it may be true that less houses are being sold at the moment, the ones that are being sold speak volumes about their sellers. Since these months are not the most convenient in which to sell a home, the fact that their homes are on the market may indicate a sense of urgency. Overall, these homeowners are likely to be far more motivated to sell.

In addition, since there are less potential buyers on the market during these few months, you may be at an advantage to negotiate price due to the lack of competition. If you happen to come across a home you really like before the holidays, you should seriously consider snatching it off the marketing and calling it an early Christmas gift.

Finding an Agent

Like all working-class folks, real estate agents enjoy a winter vacation as much as anyone else. Due to the slower housing market toward the end of the year, agents may choose to take a significant amount of time off, so you may have less agents to choose from.

That being said, there are still plenty of agents working at this time since they know buyers have a lot more vacation time to use on touring houses and handling other logistics.

When you do find an agent that you are willing to work with, make sure you ask them about their plans upfront so that you aren’t caught off guard if they are unavailable on certain dates.

The Bottom Line

When the market is right, buying a home can be an excellent idea even at the end of the year. If you have any questions or are wondering if you are in a position to buy a home right now, please feel free to give us a call at 321-265-4000 or simply apply online today.