Seattle’s forecast predicts crisp days over the weekend. Thanksgiving’s promise of warm food flickers like a light, just around the corner. The Seattle Times has released their holiday event guide. My partner, grumbling-ly, agreed to watch Love Actually with me for approximately the 300th time this weekend. I baked pumpkin bread!
As the holiday season approaches, hygge seems to be everywhere. I’ve written about this word before but to recap, the Danish word hygge loosely translates as coziness, comfort, and feelings of wellbeing and contentment.
Perhaps you’re still seeking a home with that essential feeling of hygge. Whatever the reason you’re interested in buying a new home, you might consider hitting the market now, just in time to settle in before the new year.
It’s not too late to buy a home this year! Get in touch with Pickett Street to consult with their experts about your best options (info@pickettstreet.com or 425-502-5397). In the meantime, here are 5 reasons why fall is secretly one of the best times to buy a home.
1. Less competition.
Most buyers shop for homes in the spring, which tends to be both an exciting and wild time for the housing market. I don’t know about you, but I tend to feel very stressed very easily in situations that involve competition. Save yourself some stress and consider buying your home now, when the market is much quieter. Buying a home in the fall and winter can help you avoid bidding wars and higher listing prices.
2. Sellers are motivated and deals abound.
Sellers usually want to settle everything before the holidays as well. If they haven’t sold their home by November, they may more quickly accept offers. While homes’ listing prices might not necessarily be lower, you may have a better chance of talking the buyer down.
3. Less-forgiving weather can reveal a property’s flaws.
Spring and summer’s sunshine and 70 degree days tend to make everything look good. However, fall and winter can reveal how snug your new home will actually stay during harsher weather. According to Zillow, “the best time to do a property inspection is in the rain and snow, because any major issues are more likely to be exposed.”
4. Seattle home prices are down and inventory is up.
Seattle’s once crazy hot market has cooled ever-so-slightly—in November, The Seattle Times reports that “the median home price fell to $750,000, down $25,000 in one month and down $80,000 from the record set in the spring.” In some cases, sellers have also decreased their listing price; a small home Highland Park listed for $328,000 last month is now $299,000.
5. You can boost next year’s tax returns.
Buying a home before the December 31st tax deadline can help you save some money. While these write-offs will be less than if you had resided in the home for a full year, you will still be able to write off some of this year’s mortgage interest, as well as property taxes and home offices.
Buying now can also help you achieve will have a cozy new home for the new year—think crackling fires and long weekend mornings in your new kitchen. If you need more convincing, check out our blog post about why you should quit overthinking and buy now.
Reach out to Pickett Street at info@pickettstreet.com or 425-502-5397 today!