The idea of packing and moving belongings in the cold winter months may make you shudder, but there are some upsides to buying real estate during the winter. Buying property in winter might not seem as appealing as in warmer months, but significantly when a few inches of snow cover the ground can add some logistical issues that homeowners might wish to avoid altogether. If the timing is right, and the perfect home that the buyer has been looking for has become available during the winter, it doesn’t make sense to wait for another home just because the weather may add inconvenience.

Limited Competition

When it becomes cold outside and snow blankets the ground, people want to sit on their couches in front of their fireplace. As a result, there may be fewer people at open houses and viewings. For home buyers out looking for their ideal new home in the winter, a lack of competition means there’s less likelihood of bidding wars and more of a probability those buyers will get the house they want at an asking price that other buyers don’t influence.

Buying Property-Motivated Sellers

Limited competition on the buyer front means sellers are getting fewer eyes on their listings. They still want to sell, however, so their motivation is strong. Home buyers should keep an eye on how long the house of interest has been on the Blue Mountains real estate market. The longer a property sits on the market, the bigger the chance those sellers will be willing to make a deal. A word of warning, though: just because sellers appear motivated doesn’t mean they’ll accept a lowball offer or unreasonable demands from the potential buyer. A real estate agent will know the proper balance to make a legitimate offer that can save the buyer money without insulting the seller and damaging the prospect.

See How the House Holds up

Winters in Canada can be harsh, meaning houses must be able to withstand extreme temperatures. Buyers will be able to learn about the integrity of the property in question when the weather is at its worst. In the warmer months, it’s next to impossible to know if the insulation is adequate or if the windows are drafty. A furnace will rarely come on in the summer, whereas it is a homeowner’s best friend in the winter. Buying a property during winter means all of those elements can be field tested. Do the pipes handle the extreme cold? Does that long, winding driveway that looks gorgeous in the summer translate to a hefty shoveling task? Does the yard lack evergreen trees, which means excessive snow drifts? These are all considerations that take more work to visualize in the summer.

Open Moving Schedules

If moving is a dreaded chore in the summer, it’s almost compounded in the winter. With fewer people moving in the winter, the good news is that moving companies have more openings, and there is probably no surge pricing to empty the wallet. Remember, though, that if the prospective moving day dawns and a blizzard appears, there needs to be more scheduling grace to accommodate for safety purposes.

Avoid Home Buying Property Errors

Just because it might seem easier in many regards (limited competition, sellers open to deals, etc.), it’s common for things to come up that need addressing in the home-buying process. Working with a real estate agent is one sure step to avoid errors. Buyers should remember to be patient and expect challenges such as inclement weather, sellers on holiday, or upcoming holidays for the buyer. Buying real estate is not something to be rushed, regardless of the season.

Buyers should be bold and consider buying a Blue Mountains home during the winter. While the spring and summer months may provide more listings and buying options, the right time to buy property is when the right property comes along, regardless of the time of year.