Halloween is behind us, which means it’s only a matter of days before every shop you enter blasts Mariah Carey on repeat.
Looking for an escape? Check out these five reasons you should house hunt during the holiday season.
1. Last-Minute Tax Advantages
The federal government gives tax benefits for home buyers. The main benefits relate to mortgage interest and insurance deductions. But cash buyers can still take advantage of tax breaks.
In certain circumstances, for example, you can itemize some moving costs as well as home office expenses.
Since the US tax year runs alongside the calendar year, November and December are prime months for securing those last-minute tax deductions.
2. Less Competition
The two months between Halloween and New Year’s are busy. Between office parties, Black Friday sales, and second helpings of pumpkin pie… most people aren’t thinking about buying a new house.
Last year’s housing trends indicated that bidding wars dipped from September to mid-January. I am confident that we can find you your dream Hawaiian home, but we’re still in a seller’s market.
Anything you can do to beat the competition will improve your chances. Even if that means falling behind on your holiday gift-list to prioritize the house hunt.
3. Holly Jolly Realtors
Fewer buyers on the market mean that real estate agents have more time to focus on you. That means you get more help finding, viewing, and buying your dream property.
But it’s not just the realtors. The home-buying process involves a lot of professionals: attorneys, home inspectors, underwriters… and don’t forget the movers!
Slower home sales mean that everyone involved will have more time to focus on you and your home buying needs. Yep. Quicker response times and a higher quality of attention.
4. Yuletide Cheer
For some people, the festive season inspires generosity and goodwill. Obviously sellers are thinking about the bottom line. But the holiday mood might make sellers more willing to compromise.
Even if you’re buying from Ebenezer Scrooge, you still might be in luck. The holiday rush could make sellers eager to close the deal as quickly as possible. What does this mean for the buyer? Greater negotiating power.
Yes, we’re always looking to lower the asking price. But negotiating power can also help secure extra dealmakers such as repairs, interior décor, cleaning, and closing timeline.
5. The Perfect Place to Ho-Ho-Host
Once you buy a house in Hawaii, relatives will appear out of the woodwork. A luxury island property? Even the Grinch couldn’t resist.
Okay. Maybe hosting is the last thing you want to do after buying a new house. But you’re still going to need a place to recover from the egg nog, Secret Santas, and all of those distant relatives. Where better to relax than the Big Island?
Forget sending a letter to the North Pole. Give me a call, and I’ll help you find the perfect present: a new home in paradise.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.