Is Fall the Best Time to Buy a Home in Seattle?

Fall may be notorious for a slowdown in the housing market. But for home buyers in Seattle, that shouldn’t mean early hibernation. Au contraire – for home shoppers, Fall is likely the best time to buy a home in Seattle. Here are 4 reasons why.

1. Lower Home Prices

October can offer the best month for home deals, according to research by RealtyTrac of more than 32 million home sales over the last 15 years. In October, home buyers paid 2.6 percent below the estimated market value at the time for their homes, the study shows. In other words, on a $300,000 home, you could save $7,800 by purchasing it in October.

2. Less Competition

The home buyer rush from the summer days is over. Home shoppers who were scrambling to find a home before school started have already found one. Fall home buyers have far less competition, so they can their time with the research, viewing and buying process.

3. More Leverage

Home sellers in the fall may be more pressed to sell. They are “generally people who need to sell, which can make for better negotiations for the buyer,” Golden says. The longer a home lingers, the more negotiating power the buyer likely will have. Plus, some sellers may want to get settled in their new home before the holidays and have more incentive to make a deal sooner rather than later.

4. Year-end Tax Credits

Home buyers who close on a home by the end of the fiscal year may find a nice tax deduction awaiting them on April 15. They may be able to deduct closing costs, property tax, and mortgage interest to offset their taxable earnings.

 

Convinced that Fall is the best time to buy a house in Seattle? Check out my inventory of homes, then give me a call to schedule a walk-through.