Less Competition, Fewer Multiple-Offer Situations, and Being Settled by Spring Are Among the Many Benefits of Winter House Hunting in Central Oregon
Hello, readers!
In my last post, I detailed all the reasons that winter is a surprisingly good time to sell your home in Bend.
But it’s also true that winter is a good time to buy a home in Bend. And in this week’s post, I’ll explain why.
Reasons Why Winter Is a Great Time to Buy Home in Bend
As I mentioned in my last post, though you may be surprised to hear it, I find the time between January and May be the busiest month for home sales in Bend; in fact, I do about 65% of my business in the first five months of the year. And it’s not just a good time for sellers. Winter is also a great time for home hunters to purchase in Bend. For one thing, during the winter there’s less competition, as most people don’t begin a home search in earnest until spring. In turn, less competition means home sellers are more willing to negotiate on price and terms. Reduced competition between buyers also means that there will likely be less chance for buyers to find themselves in a multiple-offer situation. When multiple buyers put an offer on a house, the result is often a bidding war, which can drive up the price substantially. With fewer buyers in the market in winter, the odds of encountering this situation are reduced. Winter is also a good time to see homes at the darkest and coldest time of year, a time that often reveals their faults. By touring homes in winter, prospective buyers can get a sense of whether a home receives a good amount of natural light, and whether it needs any maintenance or repairs to stay warm in cold weather. For example, if you’re concerned about the age or health of a home’s furnace, a cold day in winter is the perfect time to schedule a tour. In general, a house will look its worst in winter, so if you love it now, you’ll absolutely adore it come summer. |
Contractors and Real Estate Professionals Are More Available in Winter
If a winter tour reveals issues with your dream home or work that needs to be done during the negotiation process, it’s probably the best time of year to have that work done. Most homeowners will choose to put off renovations or repair work until the warmer months, which means contractors and home maintenance professionals are more available and easier to schedule in winter. Real estate professionals like mortgage brokers, escrow officers and home inspectors are also more likely to be available in winter, which means that scheduling inspections, appraisals and other essential steps in the home-buying process will be easier and faster than in spring or summer. |
Buying a Home in Winter Lets You Be Settle in Bend by Spring
Buying a home can be a time-intensive process, leaving little opportunity for other activities until the sale closes. With that in mind, if you’re excited to take advantage of everything a Bend summer has to offer—including hiking in the Cascades, the Cascade Lakes, mountain biking, trail running and, of course, floating the Deschutes River—buying a home in winter is a great way to make sure you’re settled in plenty of time for warmer weather. |
If You're Planning on Buying a Home in Bend, Winter Is a Great Time to Do It
Fewer multiple-offer situations, less competition, the opportunity to see a home in its least-attractive state and having plenty of time to be settled before summer all add up to the start of the year being a great time to buy a home in Bend.
If you’re interested in buying in Bend this year, or even if you’re just curious about the market or process, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d love to help you find a home in Central Oregon!
Click here to send me a message, or call me at (541) 410-2707
If you’re interested in buying in Bend this year, or even if you’re just curious about the market or process, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d love to help you find a home in Central Oregon!
Click here to send me a message, or call me at (541) 410-2707