Randy Mack | Realtor | 707.696.6272

    Heidi Faulkner | Realtor | 707.480.4098

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Winter Is A Great Time To Buy!

Don’t wait for spring. Winter can be a great time to buy.
With fewer sellers and fewer buyers, winter often means less competition for new homes
and great deals for buyers.

Winter is not the usual season for house hunting— that distinction goes to spring and summer. Prospective buyers typically don’t think about looking at homes in the winter months, but the reasons that buyers overlook winter house-shopping can be the very reasons that make it a great time to find that dream house. Winter can definitely be a buyer’s market.

Fewer sellers AND fewer buyers. It is true that the inventory of homes on the market is greatly reduced in the winter— so you will not have as many homes to choose from— but there are far fewer buyers looking at those homes. That lack of competition gives the prospective buyer quite an edge when he finds a house on which to make an offer. The prices are generally lower in the winter (December is traditionally the month with the lowest house prices), and less competition means more room for negotiations. It also means that you should have more time to make a well-informed decision. Additionally, fewer homes from which to choose can actually make house hunting easier. The smaller selection should certainly save you time, and make your decision that much easier.

Sellers are typically highly motivated in the winter months. The majority of sellers wait until spring to list their homes, since those months herald the most active real estate season, the season of nice weather and lovely yards. Fewer sellers are listing their homes in the winter, but the ones who do list in winter often have a strong motivation for selling, such as financial strain or an impending relocation. These sellers are serious about selling, and may be more willing to do some serious negotiating. Some of the sellers may have had their homes on the market since the previous spring, which could make them ready to accept an offer they might not have accepted earlier.

Winter is a great time to assess a home’s soundness. Winter weather can definitely bring out the worst in a home, and viewing a home during months of cold, rain, snow, and wind really gives you a chance to see if the house can hold up to the weather. How well does the heating system work? Is the insulation sufficient to keep the house warm? Do you feel cold drafts in the house? Is the hot water tank keeping up with the challenge of the cold? Are there any leaks? It’s not difficult for a house to present a pretty picture when the weather is beautiful; the real test of a home is when the weather is terrible.

Realtors, and other real estate professionals, typically have more time in the winter. Another advantage of winter house hunting is the greater availability of real estate professionals. Fewer sellers and fewer buyers mean fewer clients for agents, who will have more time to focus on your home search. In addition, with fewer clients, lenders have more availability for questions and assistance. Less paperwork means that mortgages may be processed much more quickly, and some lenders even waive fees to encourage borrowers to use their services during this off-season. Similarly, moving companies often lower costs for the same reason.

Winter, traditionally the slow period in the housing market, can actually be a great time for the savvy home buyer to take advantage of the “lull,” and find a great deal on that perfect house.

For more information on how you can save money on your next transaction, download our free report called “Eight Insider Tips That Save Buyers Thousands!” This report is offered to all guests.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE TODAY!

 

 

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Contact Information

Randy Mack and Heidi Faulkner
Artisan Sotheby's International Realty
6984 McKinley Street
Sebastopol CA 95472
(707) 696-6272
(707) 480-4098
Fax: (707) 824-0587
Send an Email
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About Us

We are proud to have aligned ourselves with Artisan Sotheby’s International Realty an inspirational brand based on heritage, tradition and expertise. We are setting new standards by refining the art of residential brokerage with a practiced eye of identifying the unique value of a property. We offer a deep commitment to excellent service and have a passion for unparalleled quality. Unique homes require skillful marketing through our local expertise and Sotheby’s International Realty interconnected global network of offices that are dedicated to the extraordinary.

Testimonials

I wish to express my satisfaction and confidence in your ability to find an ideal home for anyone that I would refer to you. My own experience in purchasing and selling a home with you allowed me to witness the fact that you are truly an expert in your field, handling all aspects of residential real estate transactions. From the beginning, your market analysis to the final stages of negotiations, your calm manner and clear explanation kept me knowing I was in the best of hands.

Mr. Mitchler
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Contact Us

Randy Mack - Realtor CA BRE#01252462
randy@mack-faulkner.com

(707) 696-6272
6984 McKinley Street
Sebastopol, CA 95472



Heidi Faulkner - Realtor CA BRE#01227446
Heidi@mack-faulkner.com

(707) 480-4098
6984 McKinley Street
Sebastopol, CA 95472



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© MMVI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each office is independently owned and operated, except offices owned and operated by NRT Incorporated. All information herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
 

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