Why fall is a great time for homebuying

When winter weather blows in, our impulse could be to hunker down and hide. However, house hunting in autumn can be to your advantage. Here are four reasons why:

1. Better perspective. When it’s gloomy out, you’ll have a stronger idea how interiors look in low light. Also, leafy trees and shrubs can hide flaws around a home’s exterior or downspouts. Bare branches reveal areas in need of repair.

2. Assess the action. In September, most neighbours have returned from the cottage and summer holidays. What could seem like a tranquil, traffic-free neighbourhood in mid-summer could be considerably more active than you suspect.

3. Less competition. New inventory is appearing on the market, and there are fewer people shopping for a new home after summer. Sometimes, the sellers of newly-available properties need to move for a job and are eager to make a deal.

4. Seasonal sales. Want to update your old barbecue or kitchen appliances? Purchase them from an end-of-summer sale at the local home store. Or, ask your real estate agent about the great discounts you can get from Whirlpool and Kitchenaid, through our Preferred Supplier program!

Buying a home in fall enables you to settle in before inclement weather impedes your move. Enjoy snowy scenes from the comfort of your new living room.

Craig Byrne, Royal LePage Baird Real Estate, Brokerage 2019