7 Reasons You Should Consider Buying a Colorado Home During the Winter

There’s a general consensus across the country that spring is the best time to list and sell a home while winter is a good time to buy. In Northern Colorado, the national patterns ring true and for many of the same reasons, but we want to help you understand why.

And for starters, we’ll share a bit of great news. Greeley, Fort Collins and Longmont all made it to the top 50 of WalletHub’s August 2019 list of Best Real-Estate Markets. This ranking considered factors that aim for long-term growth, equity and profit. This means our Northern Colorado communities are great markets for both buyers and sellers. And on a different WalletHub list—the Best & Worst Cities for First-Time Home Buyers—you’ll find Thornton, Greeley, Longmont and Fort Collins, again, ranked in that order.

But still, in our constantly growing market, navigating the buying process can be intimidating whether you’re a first-timer or a retiree. Luckily, you don’t have to navigate alone. For starters, check out the Buyers section on our website here. You’ll find tips about the buying process, essential steps for first-time buyers, information on loan programs, market info and more. 

In this guide, we’re rounding up a few of the top reasons to consider buying during the winter. Despite the Colorado snow and the decreased housing inventory, there are a lot of perks to buying while it’s cold. 

And when you’re ready to begin the process, please contact us directly so we can connect you with our team of local experts.

1. Sellers are serious and highly motivated.

This can be caused by a variety of factors, but in general, people selling their homes during the winter are highly motivated to do so. December sees a dramatically higher number of expired or withdrawn listings compared to all other months of the year. So, homeowners who do need to sell may be more open to negotiating a deal to avoid taking their home off the market through the season.

2. You can enjoy less buyer competition. 

Because fewer people want to move during the winter, there are fewer buyers actively house hunting. Compared to the summer months, you can enjoy less buyer competition and enjoy more opportunities to negotiate sales price and other home-buying factors. 

3. Sales prices can be lower. 

In addition to negotiation opportunities, sales prices during the winter are often lower at the start. As we mentioned above, these sellers are typically highly motivated to sell and get moving themselves, so homes will be priced strategically for winter sales. 

4. You have more time to make decisions. 

These decisions include the actual home you want to buy and which contractors to use if you want to make any changes or updates. With less competition and a slower market, you’ll have more time and freedom to make decisions without the added pressure of bidding wars and negotiations that can often take place during the competitive summer months. 

5. Agents have more time to spend with you. 

Because winter is a slower season for real estate, agents typically represent fewer people. As a result, your agent can spend even more dedicated time and energy ensuring inspections, appraisals and other essential processes move quickly and smoothly. To meet our agents, click here. 

6. You can see how a home holds up under pressure. 

Heavy Colorado snow may make moving a daunting idea, but it does provide an excellent test for your potential new home. Under that snow, you can ensure the home you’re buying is free of leaks and can hold up under stressful weather conditions.

7. Movers are less expensive. 

As demand falls during the winter, moving rates can decrease dramatically which can help make the whole home buying process less expensive—from sale price to movers to contractors! When you are ready to move, we recommend Johnson Storage & Moving Company, a Colorado company and one of our business partners. 

Do you have questions?

No matter what season it is, the biggest takeaway is to work with a knowledgeable, local agent you trust. At The Group, Inc., our team has been serving Northern Colorado for more than 40 years, our agents and employees are also owners, and we’re the only company in Northern Colorado with in-house mortgage services, a title company, a relocation department, and dedicated staff to make sure the details of your transaction, from listing to closing, are taken care of.

To search for homes and learn more about our services, our team and our community, check out our website here.