Maybe you have been renting an apartment for a while and you are ready to finally make the commitment and buy a home. The first question you probably have is, “when is the right time to buy a house?” Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial transactions you will make, so you want to make sure you are getting the best deal possible.
There are certain times of the year and even certain months, dates and days of the week that can directly affect the amount of money you spend, the size of the mortgage you will need and the kind of property you can afford. Here are tips and tricks to help you determine when the right time is to buy a house.
Best Months to Buy
The best time to purchase a home is in late summer or fall. There will still be plenty of listings, but not as much competition amongst buyers as there is in the spring and early summer. This increases your chances of getting a better deal on a home.
Sellers are more willing to lower the price of their home as back-to-school approaches because they don’t want to risk not selling the home once the winter months hit. According to Zillow, August and September are the months you will find the most home listings with typically one price reduction.
Best Day to Purchase a Home
It has been said that the single best day to buy a house is the day after Christmas because there is essentially no one in the market to buy a home on December 26. Sellers are willing to discount their homes significantly, potentially thousands of dollars worth, in order to sell. Other research has indicated that December 4, 7, 29, October 12 and November 9 are other ideal days to buy a home. The best day of the week to close on a home is on Monday and the second-best day is Friday.
Worst Times to Buy
If the price of the home is the most substantial factor in your home purchase, you do not want to try to purchase in spring or at the beginning of the summer, especially not in June. During these times, houses sell quicker and there is little room for negotiating. You will pay a much higher premium in June than during any other time of the year, according to Zillow. Mid-week, particularly Thursdays are the worst days to close on a home.
Exceptions
The right time to buy might also depend on where you live. If you live in warmer climates, such as Hawaii or Florida, then you won’t experience the typical seasonal discounts. Sellers are not in a rush to sell at the end of summer or early fall because there are no winter months to fear.
Also, if you are more interested in having more homes to choose from rather than getting a good deal, you may want to search for homes in the Spring and Summer.
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