5 Reasons to Move
When it comes to buying a new home the hardest part is often making the decision to do so. Whether you are a first time homebuyer, a seasoned veteran looking to sell your current home and buy something new, or are interested in adding a vacation or income property, there are a few indicators to know when the time is right.
Sporting seasons can play a large role in whether or not you will have the time to look for a new home, or even prep your current home to list. In Central Wisconsin we are no exception to this rule. Here, one of the biggest factors in the housing market has to do with the Green Bay Packers. We have a tendency to narrow our focus, like any great sports fan will do, and revolve our lives around when the Packers take the field. The housing market in our region has a tendency to pick up right where the Packers leave off.
It’s post holiday season, and now that your bank account has rebounded from the spending spree that helped to put smiles on the faces of your loved ones, you can refocus your attention on what really matters: having more space for next year’s company because cramming three families under one roof with only two bathrooms is a big strain. Sure, it’s only a couple times a year that there’s the potential for that level of mayhem, but you tell yourself the same thing each time it happens. You never want to do it again, and yet each winter you find yourself in the same scenario. Rather than just vow that things will be different next time, put a plan in place and make a change. If you really don’t have enough space, your local realtor will be happy to show you what is available that better aligns with your goals.
While we’re on the subject of holidays, it’s important to note that Valentine’s Day is another popular time to consider a new home. It’s no secret that couples like to exchange gifts with each other on Valentine’s Day. This year instead of jewelry, a new wallet, tickets to see Hamilton, or anything else you are likely to gift one another, consider putting that money towards a down payment on a new house. Spring is the perfect time to move, and as it’s right around the corner. If you start looking mid February you’ll be in your dream home by the time the snow melts. Plus, nothing says “I Love You” like finding a new place to put down roots.
Maybe you’ve already found your dream home, but are afraid to list your current place because there’s too much snow, or the frigid outside temperatures might turn off prospective buyers. Rest assured, buyers are like everyone else – they want to be warm and cozy in the winter. So if a buyer chooses to leave the comforts of home to look at housing stock, he or she is already more motivated than a buyer going out in the balmier months. Buyers are working with Realtors just like you are, and are given the same information that you are given. They know that winter is not the most popular time for home sales, but are trying to buy anyway. They may have a child on the way, or they may want to start out the new year with a new home, they may have to get out of their current living situation out of necessity – whatever the reason, they are serious about purchasing a house.
And last but not least, if you don’t take me at my word, then maybe a study on home sales will help you decide this is the perfect time to move. Redfin, a real estate organization, took a look at home sales from 2010 through 2014 to determine how well homes sold based on the season. The findings were surprising for many people, because they went against the standard assumption that winter was a time to avoid trying to sell a home. Redfin found that homes did sell best in spring, but only by a small margin. The next best time to sell a home turned out to be winter, followed by summer and then fall. The winter home sales were only one percentage point lower than the figures for spring, with summer trailing quite a bit behind.
– Contributed by Sarah Lynch
5 Ways To Know It’s The Right Time To Buy A New House
5 Ways To Know It’s The Right Time To Buy A New House
5 Ways To Know It’s The Right Time To Buy A New House