With Thanksgiving finished, and the Christmas season officially here, we are in full swing for the holidays! For those who are at any stage of the home buying process, the holidays present a unique set of challenges to the real estate market. Here are 5 tips to help you survive the holidays and put yourself in the best situation to succeed!
[section_title heading=”h1″ style=”1″ text_align=”left”]#1 Take Advantage[/section_title]
Statistically, the holiday season is the “slow” season for real estate. Popular theories among Realtors point to busy holiday schedules, other financial responsibilities, and commitment stress. And while many Realtors see these reasons as negatives, you can use this to your advantage! Seller’s willing to forego the normal selling season, and list during the holidays, may have more reason to negotiate a lower price. It is to a buyer’s advantage to seize these properties and get more value for their dollar!
[section_title heading=”h1″ style=”1″ text_align=”left”]#2 Learn the Market[/section_title]
If you are getting ready to buy a home, or interested in a particular neighborhood, the holiday season is a great time to start doing research! Talk to your Realtor, and tax/financial advisers, hit up open houses, and tour neighborhoods. Then, when you are ready to enter the market, you are that much more educated than other buyer’s. Education is a great asset to have, and it’s never too late to start!
[section_title heading=”h1″ style=”1″ text_align=”left”]#3 Plan Ahead[/section_title]
Much like #2, a little more planning ahead is necessary during the holiday season. With dinners, parties, families, and friends needing time and energy, make sure you plan your house-hunting time accordingly. If you are working with an agent, let them know your schedule so they can effectively schedule showings and work around you!
[section_title heading=”h1″ style=”1″ text_align=”left”]#4 Be Patient[/section_title]
Along the same lines as #3, head into the holiday house hunt with flexibility and patience in mind. For example, if you’re looking for a house, remember that occupied houses may not be showing as often during the holidays. Understand that there are a lot of moving parts, with a lot of different people involved, all working during the holiday season. Take your time, be patient, and you will enjoy the process that much more! (On a similar note, I hope your agent is working during the holidays! If I have to work, then they should be working to! Haha!)
[section_title heading=”h1″ style=”1″ text_align=”left”]#5 Research Your Financial Goals[/section_title]
The end of the year also signals the start of the new year, with new financial goals and responsibilities. This is a great opportunity to sit down with your real estate agent, tax attorney, and/or financial adviser to go over your 1 year/5 year/10 year goals. It’s not only the beginning of the year, but it also may be the beginning of a new chapter in your life, and you wouldn’t want to be caught unprepared!
Hope this was helpful, and thank you for checking out my 5 holiday tips for real estate buyers! If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me (or your favorite real estate agent if it’s not me). I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season! ALOHA!
Leave a Reply