Gearing up to start your home search, but not sure whether the impending holidays present the best time to buy? We get it: In many ways, buying a new house when you’re busy decking the halls of your existing one seems…daunting, to say the least. But just hear us out: The lack of enthusiasm around buying during this time of year might be justification to change your tune once and for all.

Keep reading for the top considerations you should weigh when deciding whether to give yourself the gift of a new home for the holidays this season.

Less Inventory

If there’s one undeniable truth about the holidays, it’s that real estate inventory is limited during the most wonderful time of the year. There’s simply less activity — fewer people selling less homes — as they navigate the joys and demands of the season. However, this isn’t always such a bad thing for buyers (see below!)

The Likelihood Of Finding A Deal

Since the holidays aren’t considered primetime for listings, you’re more likely to find motivated sellers who might be willing to compromise. This puts you in a good position to negotiate a lower price, or to get certain repairs or upgrades included in your buying cost. For those who are on the fence about being able to afford to buy in the first place, this could be just the edge you need to make the transition from renting to owning. Just be prepared to move quickly once you strike a deal to ensure you close before the end of the year!

In need of DC-specific home buying advice? We’ve got plenty of helpful resources on our blog. Check out these posts.

• How Much Mortgage Can I Afford?
• How Many Homes Should I Tour Before Submitting an Offer?
• How to Buy a Home with No Money Down

Minimized Competition

Since people are usually busy shopping for holiday gifts instead of homes, chances are, you’ll be able to house hunt with very few competitors to challenge your ultimate offer. Compare this to the spring and summer home-buying madness, and it’ll feel like a refreshing break — especially once you realize you don’t have to be ready to run to a house viewing at a moment’s notice or risk losing it.

Tax Breaks

If you can manage to close on your new home before the end of the year, you should be able to itemize some of the associated costs like real estate tax and mortgage interest — and sometimes even the expenses associated with hiring a local moving company, if your move is work-related. Between all the other fees that come along with moving, you’ll appreciate the benefits of that tax break now rather than a year down the road, only giving you another reason to get into the holiday spirit!

Looking to maximize your DC real estate knowledge? Check out these other blog posts for more insights on buying!

• How to Buy a Home in a High-Interest Real Estate Market
• How Many Homes Should I Tour Before Submitting an Offer?
• How to Buy a Home with No Money Down

An Incentive For Everyone To Close Quickly

Understandably, everyone has a vested interest in wrapping things up before the holidays — sellers, agents, and banks alike — which means you’re likely to find that the experts you hire are willing to work with you to keep things moving along. When enlisting the help of our team around this time of year, we’ll make sure we’re all on the same page when it comes to your timeline and expectations — so you can find a new home and enjoy the holidays hassle-free!

Ready to make moves this holiday season? Get in touch with our team today to schedule your consultation today. Give us a call at 202.280.2060 or email us directly at jsmira@jennsmira.com.