New real estate poll: Seasonal considerations
Now is the winter of our discontentMade glorious summer by this son of York;
And all the clouds that low'r'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. -- William Shakespeake, Richard III
The devious Richard means the family of York, not a literal house. But he happens to be right about the real estate market: Winter is pretty discontenting for sellers. As the weather worsens and holidays loom, most people are thinking about food and gifts, not home inspections and settlements.
Take last year, for example. Some 2,600 contracts were signed in the Baltimore metro area in April of '08. In November? Fewer than 1,500. And just 1,328 in December.
But there were contracts signed, so people do buy and sell in every season -- happily or not.
Weigh in: Do you have a seasonal preference?
Comments
For those who have options... the most common of considerations are schools (at least having a contract before the school year begins) balanced against weather; to not have to do the actual move during snow and ice and cold.
Working backwards from that... snoop, show and negotiate in the spring when every property will look it's best then settle and move at the end of June and be all tucked into place by August before you go to the beach.
Posted by: MrRational | October 18, 2009 10:11 AM
Since I don't have school age kids school doesn't matter but I wouldn't move in November or December because of the holidays. Of the 2 houses that I bought I have moved in March & June.
Posted by: JB | October 19, 2009 10:38 AM