The snow showed up and it looks like winter is reminding us that we do live in Alberta after all. The shift in weather will likely slow activity levels when it comes to real estate transactions as people stay inside and warm versus going out and about to shop for homes. That said, a change in seasons can benefit buyers and here’s 6 reasons why buying in the winter is the best time!

  1. Less competition: Typically, we see fewer home sales in the winter, which means there isn’t as many people looking to buy. This means that as a buyer you’ll have fewer buyers to compete with when it comes to shopping around as well as making offers. Less competition means you won’t be as rushed to make a decision and you’ll have time to really think about which home you want to buy, how much you want to pay and the terms you want to put into your offer. 
  2. Sellers are willing to negotiate more: With fewer buyers looking to purchase, sellers know that when and if they get an offer, they should pay close attention and will need to be more willing to work with the buyers…because after all, it could be a while before they see another offer. This means as a buyer you’re in the drivers’ seat and have a bit of an upper hand in terms of asking for negotiations on price, date of possession and maybe even including some of the furniture in the purchase. You don’t know if you don’t ask and when you buy in the winter you can ask for more and have a greater likelihood of sellers agreeing compared to other times of the year.
  3. You’ll pay less: Not many people want to move in the winter, who wants to pack boxes around in the snow and cold? This means that as a buyer, you’re likely to pay less at this time of year compared to buying in spring or summer. The same home you buy in the winter could tens of thousands more if it was sold another time of year. You can stretch your dollars a little further buying in the winter, if you’re willing to sacrifice the comfort and convenience of moving when the weather is warmer.
  4. You’ll find out how good the furnace/windows are: What better time to find out the effectiveness of the furnace and windows in your new home than when it’s minus 30 out, the snow is blowing and it’s cold outside? When you buy in the winter you’ll find out pretty quick how good these main systems of your home are. If the furnace and windows do their job in the winter you can rest assure they’ll do what they’re supposed to when the weather warms up.
  5. Faster closing date: Typically during this time of year, other key suppliers in the home buying process are also less busy which means they’re more available to help facilitate a purchase. This means that if you’re wanting to move sooner than later, buying in the winter could mean you’ll have a faster closing date as they’ll be able to turn around the purchase quickly.
  6. Dedicated time with your Realtor®: Because demand goes down in the winter, you’ll have more dedicated time with your agent during the buying process. This means you’ll be able to get all your questions answered and then some. It also means your Realtor will be able to spend more time to understand your wants and needs and put in the time to find you the perfect place to call home.

We know that moving is a lot of work, and it’s even more challenging when the weather isn’t ideal. Snow, ice, cold temperatures are all major deterrents for a lot of people. But, for people who are willing to brave the conditions and keep shopping despite the changing seasons, there’s some great benefits to buying.

Lower demand will reduce prices and those two factors are major contributors to why winter is actually the perfect time to find a new home!

No matter the weather or season, I'm here to help you find the home you want. Let's connect.

Have an amaZing day!

People First. Homes second. 

Garrett Zimmerman

Realtor

403.506.5795