Winter's Chill Gives Edge to House Hunters
BOSTON (MainStreet) -- Among the many possible winter activities, house hunting may not be the first thing that comes to mind.
"People focus on the holidays," says Julie Reynolds, vice president at Realtor.com, the official Web site of the National Association of Realtors. In November, December, and January -- even October -- the bulk of the activity dies down. It may not become dormant like a lot of trees, but it definitely slows."
![]() |
| The open houses of spring may be long over, but homebuyers can benefit from cold-weather shopping. |
Nevertheless, there can be advantages for buyers as demand drops along with the mercury.
According to Reynolds, the traditional homebuying season has run lockstep with school calendars because parents seek to relocate with minimal impact on their children. This has meant that late in the school year, through summer, is peak buying and moving season.
Changing demographics are putting that conventional wisdom to the test. "The generations are changing and we are seeing millennials come of age, so to speak, and closer to the homebuying age," she says. "The median age of first-time homebuyers currently stands at about 30 and these new, hopeful property owners aren't as locked into traditional, seasonal patterns." Breaking the mold can prove a valuable bargaining chip for cold-weather homebuyers. Just as warm weather is a boon for sellers, cold air means a buyer's market. "A serious buyer who has flexibility in their lifestyle or is not moving because of a job that has a firm start date or doesn't have a very specific reason for why they are entering the market can definitely have a nice advantage, due to the pure economics of supply and demand," Reynolds says. Icy roads and slushy sidewalks are among the wintertime inconveniences deterring potential homebuyers, but fewer rivals vying for a property gives an undeterred winter buyer a competitive advantage. While much is made of "curb appeal," a winter tour may reveal a less orchestrated look at a property, and a house with trees that glisten with a dusting of snow and flecks of ice may help realize the quaint image a buyer may be looking for.Select the service that is right for you!
COMPARE ALL SERVICESAction Alerts PLUS
TRY IT FREEJim Cramer and Stephanie Link actively manage a real portfolio and reveal their money management tactics while giving advanced notice before every trade.
Product Features:
- $2.5+ million portfolio
- Large-cap and dividend focus
- Intraday trade alerts from Cramer
- Weekly roundups
Dividend Stock Advisor
TRY IT FREENew! $49.95/yr
Jim Cramer's protege, David Peltier, identifies the best of breed dividend stocks that will pay a reliable AND significant income stream.
Product Features:
- Diversified model portfolio of dividend stocks
- Alerts when market news affect the portfolio
- Bi-weekly updates with exact steps to take - BUY, HOLD, SELL
Stocks Under $10
TRY IT FREEDavid Peltier, uncovers low dollar stocks with extraordinary upside potential that are flying under Wall Street's radar.
Product Features:
- Model portfolio
- Stocks trading below $10
- Intraday trade alerts
- Weekly roundups
Real Money
TRY IT FREE24/7 market commentary from Jim Cramer and 20+ veteran Wall Street gurus. Get access to the latest trading ideas on stocks, options, and ETFs as well as a real-time forum to see the pros exchanging their investment ideas.
Product Features:
- Jim Cramer + 20 Wall Street pros
- Intraday commentary & news
- Real-time trading forum
- Actionable trade ideas
Real Money Pro
TRY IT FREEAll of Real Money, plus 15 more of Wall Street's sharpest minds delivering actionable trading ideas, a comprehensive look at the market, and fundamental and technical analysis.
Product Features:
- Real Money + Doug Kass + 15 more Wall Street Pros
- Intraday commentary & news
- Ultra-actionable trading ideas
Options Profits
TRY IT FREEOur options trading pros provide daily market commentary and over 100 monthly option trading ideas and strategies to help you become a well-seasoned trader.
Product Features:
- 100+ monthly options trading ideas
- Actionable options commentary & news
- Real-time trading community
- Options TV
