When is the Best Time to Buy a House?

Best Time to Buy a House Right Now?

The housing market forecast is still bright heading into the fall season and onto 2021. A strong economy, big demand for houses for sale which offer more rooms, lot sizes and in safer neighborhood is the big trend.

The upcoming November election is a big worry for Americans as if the President loses to his contender, a rise of taxes and business averse regulations could drive investment money out of the US and into China and other countries which offer better returns.  The stock markets too could be in peril.

The list of factors affecting home prices seems endless, and few housing experts are hazarding a certain guess as where home prices will be. Those factors are:

  • low mortgage rates
  • government bail out money
  • record low home supply
  • rising mortgage default
  • economic recovery slower than most think
  • banks very cautious in lending
  • glut of investors and home buyers looking for bargain properties

Review the housing market forecast for 2020 and for the 3 month September October November , 6 month and 1 year outlook.  Amazingly, buyers and sellers are still concerned about potential crashes? Some cities are vulnerable. Those holding mortgages in Dallas, Houston, Austin, Denver, New York, Anchorage, Calgary, Edmonton, and markets in the Bakken oil fields are very vulnerable.

Home prices in these cities are likely to plunge, representing incredible buying opportunities for investors.  Realistically, many real estate investors and mortgagees are over-extended and foreclosures are almost certain.  This might prevent these housing markets from crashing.

That means sellers may not want to sell, particularly if they know prices will rebound in the next 6 months.  Where sales will be generated, unfortunately, is via foreclosures and via rapidly rising evictions. These are the situations savvy buyers should be aware of.

In fact, with such few listings, buyers will be facing slim pickings in the residential market.  However, the housing market always produces key buying moments if you can read the signals.  Timing your purchase could save you up to $100,000 or more.

The current Corona Virus pandemic and work shutdown is a great time to find bargains.  Many buyers including Millennials are backing away from offers and further searches.  Banks are tightening lending criteria which may push young buyers out of the way.

Their employment picture is too uncertain for mortgage lending. Despite the stimulus aid package from President Trump, the recession is happening. If the effect of the Corona virus on the housing market is a 30% drop in prices, this May could offer the best prices. By June, some buyers will be back to work.

The question is whether sellers will panic enough to let their homes go, or wait 3 months for demand to return to normal.  Given there is a housing shortage, and that the housing market was still hot right up to March 15th.  Up in Toronto, homes sales have dropped to 16% of previous volume.

Of late Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, or New York short term housing market forecasts are a little gloomy. Yet it’s that short term news that you can leverage in your favor. And there’s more to timing the purchase of a home or condo this fall.  Find out much more below, and start your hunt for a Realtor.

How long does it take you to earn $30,000 to $100,000? Now I’ve got your attention.

This chart below tells you everything you need to know, after confirming that the jobs market and the economy outlook is positive.  The chart climbs regardless of small setbacks.  Every winter, prices plateau, which represents a good time to buy.

This March and April represent big drops in prices. In San Francisco and the Bay Area, home prices have plummeted up to 38%. When sellers panic, they’re not thinking straight and will cough up their valuable asset at a bargain price. That makes it the best time to buy a property.

Chart courtesy of Zillow.com

Stock market advisors suggest buying stocks continuously without regard to market fluctuations. In the housing market however, as you just saw, that’s not smart.  Timing your home purchase strategically can help you acquire a much better house or condo for big savings.

In real estate, timing in buying, may be even more important than location.

 

In every major city, the market forecas is good for 2020.  In the Boston housing market, New York real estate market, Florida housing market, Houston housing market, SeattleSan Francisco, Philadelphia housing market, or Los Angeles housing market, and Denver housing market, the value of real estate has surpassed the stock markets, gold and of course your savings account. Finding the best time to buy a home, makes you the smartest of all traders. And when you buy you’re trading money for an asset.

Housing Market Best Timing Signals

Let’s Summarize some of the Best home buy signals:

  • temporary price depreciation/lull
  • fall/winter season
  • mortgage rate changes
  • bad news/political upheaval
  • avoid bidding wars
  • look for properties poorly marketed or promoted
  • avoid properties being sold by top Realtors in your town
  • recessions/market crashes
  • homeowner is having more trouble paying their debts (January, February)
  • house is listed well below comps

Look for those times when the owner feels their home is worth less, or when you’re the only prospect.  Avoid times when there is lots of competition which could push prices up by tens of thousands.

An if you’re a first time buyer, paying a huge chunk of your income to rent, this whole matter of buying at the right time is important to your current and future well being. Don’t go from losing a little equity every month to losing a boatload in one day.

 

Avoid the Peak Times to Buy a House

Buyers too gullible and eager – not thinking

When housing prices peak, it’s because too many buyers are chasing too few homes. Very predictable and you must avoid wasting your money in the frenzy.

As you read in the US housing market forecasts, prices are rising into and beyond 2020.  Realtors and sellers try to strategize to build up emotion in buyers and get them bidding unwisely. Bidding wars commonly resulted in buyers paying $100k more than necessary.

Okay, for those without a strategic sense, buying in the fall and winter months traditionally might be best to get lower prices. However, everyone pulls their house off the market during October, November and December.

Buy Now in the Fall!

Given that prices may not rise much in 2020, many sellers (babyboomers and Gen Xers) will consider listing.  They’re on the fence, but a Realtor may be able to get you in on the undecided market.

A good price above comps, could get accepted.  Because it looks really good to them. They think they’re getting out at the right time with the best price. And you might spend $10k to $20k more, but you’re getting your dream house, one that wasn’t even listed on the MLS.  It takes some work, but your Realtor can do it.

Spring Isn’t the Best Time to Buy a House

Spring is when the frenzied house search begins and prices do their annual climb.  Home owners and buyers are arising from their winter dens and thinking about a new situation. Then in May, June and July prices hit their records, and for some reason, many buyers feel compelled to pay way more than they should.

If homebuyers are actively listing to sell during January to March, then they’re likely eager to sell their listed home.  Be sensitive to these times when buyers will unload their property, when demand is low, where there’s little competition and where the owner psychologically devalues their precious asset.

How do millionaires get rich? Buying real estate low and selling high. That’s what you’re going to do, strategically. It’s not about negotiation tactics and realtor connections, it’s about a thorough strategy to get the lowest price.

 

That Inventory Peak in October Looks Interesting!

This chart from Trulia shows us how a home search strategy begun in October could be fruitful. If the buyer balks at your low ball offer initially, by January and February, they might be ready to sell.

A report from Trulia shown below reveals fall prices drop by about 7% yet still remain 5% below for the months of January, March and February. You can find a bargain from January to April 1st. That means you should be looking right now for your next home or condo, before mortgage rates start to climb.

This might run counter to what people believe and have been told about the market. It might be harder to search for a home and get sellers to sell quickly. But remember, the actually possession date is off in the future.

People who might sell have more time on their hands in the Winter, especially if they live in Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Denver, or Boston. It’ll be easier to get in touch with them and discuss your sincere, heart felt offer.

Should you buy a home or condo in the next 5 years? The best time to buy might be right now. If the economy improves and wages do rise, home prices will rise throughout the 2020 to 2021 period.

It Doesn't Pay to Wait to Buy a Home

Launching your Research to Negotiation Strategy

So now, you need to discover the best way to reach them. Having a realtor who feels similarly about the winter search time frame is good. If they don’t like, go with someone else. The compatible Realtor is likely not busy so they can put a better effort into finding homes, approaching the homeowner, and working with you to put out the best offer.

They may even take a lower commission, but don’t push that. The Realtor will likely be worth the 2.5% you pay them. If you wait till May, June,or July to buy, you’re not getting the best prices, most competition, and your Realtor is too busy handling multiple clients and micromanaging negotiations. So that’s the worst time to buy — when everyone else is.

When is the Absolute Best Time to Buy a House?

The very best, ideal time to buy a house in the winter, may be near or at the winter holidays such as Easter, spring break, or teacher professional development days. Homeowners may be at home and may be most susceptible to the idea of selling and moving.

Late winter is a restless time for those in the cold, snowbound north, which is why a good number of people fly south for a vacation. Discontent, fatigue, boredom, and desire for something better is what gets them off the fence about letting go of their old house. Why do people sell in the spring? Because they’ve had enough after their winter of discontent. Catch them early.

Don’t worry about which days are best to buy a house. The key is to use your all channel accelerated home search strategy into action, and begin uncovering your dream house amidst winter’s gloom.

Good luck with your house search. You’ve found the best time to buy because it’s the best time for them to sell.

Bookmark this page for updates on the economy, jobs, housing markets and the stock markets.  You’ll find coverage of most major US cities including  Los Angeles and New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Houston, Miami, Dallas, and Denver.  For data on Canadian real estate, see the Toronto housing report, and  Vancouver housing report.

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