5 Rеаѕоnѕ the Winter Months are a Great Time for Real Estate Investors

The drеаdеd соld months аrе upon us, and it is the time where rеаl еѕtаtе ѕаlеѕ typically slow down. Buуеrѕ aren’t buying; thеу are sitting аt hоmе snuggled on the соuсh watching a holiday movie marathon and dreaming of spring. In the snowy regions of the country, many potential buyers are simply not motivated enough to get out in the weather to see properties. Also, moving in the winter can be tricky depending on the region you live in as it is generally not fun anywhere when the temperatures drop significantly. These factors can make for a long and cold winter, but it does not have to be that way. For real estate investors, there is no better time to hunt for greater deals than right now!

1.     Buy, buy, buy! While everyone else is sipping hot cocoa, you should be out finding your next properties. With less demand, the ability to acquire properties at a discount goes up. Be ready to pounce on those opportunities. The first investment property my partner and I ever purchased closed just a few days before Thanksgiving, after the buying season had ended and demand had eased for the year. As new investors looking for our first rehab purchase, finding a great deal was critical. I have no doubt the timing of the purchase contributed to the bargain price we were able to negotiate.

2.     Time is right! If you purchase in the fall or winter, you have just enough time to rehab the property for those buyers coming out of hibernation in the spring. While rehabbing in the cold months is not necessarily fun, especially if you are doing some of the work yourself, the timing could not be better. That same first investment property I mentioned above is a fine example of this. We had just enough time to rehab the property and get it on the market for the spring surge.

3.     Bargaining power! Home owners are not hiring contractors at the rate they are the rest of the year. Guess what that means for you? You will have more contractors to choose from and more room to bargain. Take advantage of the possible labor discounts this winter. Get several quotes and negotiate the price to achieve maximum returns (but never sacrifice quality).

4.     On sale! Contractors are not the only ones not as busy during the winter months. Home improvement stores, appliance retailers, and hardware stores see less business this time of year as well. This can lead to some nice sales if you stay vigilant. Some sales may even be good enough to warrant stockpiling for use on other properties throughout the year.

5.     A time to get started! If you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting to purchase your first property, now might be the opportunity you have been waiting for. With less competition, your first property might be one lead away and your first profitable transaction just around the corner. If you have done the preliminary work, educated yourself on the area of real estate investing, you are interested and are just waiting, stop waiting! Take advantage of the winter season!

After all, what is that saying? There is no time like the present!

**Has this post piqued your curiosity and/or do you have a general interest in real estate? Check out my book, The Real Estate Journey, available online through both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can also obtain a copy by visiting briansimon.com