By Mel Marzahl, January 2, 2020
While house hunting in the winter was never really a thing of the past, today things keep going year-round – which means finding a home can be done at any time of the year. While exploring in the cold might be your focus or concern, house-hunting in less-than-ideal conditions can show you things you can’t always see on a warm, sunny day. Here are some things to keep in mind as you try to find a home in the wintertime.
Winter Weather Can Help You See Hidden Flaws
Even if you don’t love the cold and wet or snowy weather, it can help you see household flaws that you may not see in the warmth of summer. Maybe the windows are drafty or there is a major loss in privacy when the trees are bare. It will also help you to love your home for its’ bones. You’ll only love it more when warmer seasons arrive bringing flowers, grass, and colorful foliage.
Photos Can Help Fill In The Blanks
It can be hard to picture what an outdoor oasis looks like when it is covered in snow. This is where photos can save the day. Whether they are listing photos or images from previous owners, seeing certain parts of the home or garden in better weather may check the final box for a home you are falling in love with.
Less Competition, Less Inventory
There are less buyers out there that you may have to compete with for that perfect home. Many buyers are turned off by competing offers an bidding wars. Searching in the winter could be a way to give yourself a break from that. On the flip side, there may be less buyers out there looking with you, but there are also less homes on the market. Many sellers wait for spring to list their home in order to coincide moving with school schedules and blooming landscapes. This is where giving yourself lots of time to look and see what comes up is helpful.
Ready to start your wintertime house search? Give me a call to get started!
Mel Marzahl
Broker | OR
She/Her
Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Mel became a passionate advocate for homeownership and investing in real estate after buying and selling her first home...
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- T: 503-443-5382
- mel@livingroomre.com
