Fall is real estate’s off season but that doesn’t mean you should give up on your search. Below you will find 5 great tips for homebuyers during the fall season from frontdoor.com. If you are hunting for a bargain before the holidays hit, take advantage of these seasonal tips.

  1. Time Your Home Purchase to Get a Great Deal
    Spring and summer are known as the peak seasons for real estate activity meaning you will have less competition in the fall. Sellers will also be more motivated and willing to negotiate so they may be more apt to respond to lower offers.
  2. Find Motivated Sellers
    Some fall sellers are just testing the market; others are on a deadline to close a deal before the holidays. If you’re looking for a bargain, you definitely want to work with homeowners who need to sell quickly, because they may be willing to come down in price to make a quick sale. Look for homes that have been on the market for a long time or have had price reductions to determine who the most motivated sellers will be.
  3. Explore New Construction
    If you are looking for a bargain on a brand-new home, house hunting during the fall is the way to go. Builders usually start discounting their inventory or offering incentives during fall to sell as many homes as possible before the end of the year. Prices will go back up when spring rolls around so take advantage of them while you can.
  4. Look for Fall Maintenance Issues
    Hunting for a home in the fall gives you the chance to look for red flags that may not be visible during other seasons. For instance, take a look at the home’s gutter and downspouts. If they are overflowing with leaves, you know the seller hasn’t taken the time to clean them. If they aren’t keeping up with their gutters, what other home maintenance items have they overlooked?
  5. Make a Strategic Offer and Save Cash at Closing
    Sellers may be more willing to respond to lower offers, but you don’t want to completely turn them off with bids way below their asking prices. Once your offer has been accepted, you can save even more cash at closing by asking your lender about seller concessions.

These are great tips for all buyers in this off-season. Time your purchase, search for the best sellers, and explore! Use this beautiful season to your advantage and you could soon be a proud new home owner!

-Orly