Fall is a beautiful time of year. The leaves are changing color, the air has a refreshing chill to it, and the sun sets earlier in the evening. It is also an ideal time to buy a home!

Here are 5 reasons why autumn should be your go-to season for buying that perfect house:

1.) Less Competition

During fall, there tends to be fewer people searching for homes and new listings. This means you have more of a chance to get the house that suits all your needs! This will also give you more power when it comes to negotiating a lower price.

2.) You Can See How HOA's Manage Their Communities

As the season changes and the leaves begin to fall, you will notice how strict or lax an HOA community can be. Ask questions such as:

• Are neighbors maintaining lawns until late fall?
• Are they raking leaves?
• Do your neighbors decorate for Halloween/Thanksgiving?

These sneak peeks into your potential neighborhood may save you pain in the long run.

3.) Home Maintenance Issues Start To Appear

As the weather starts to get colder, houses will start to have more issues, which allows you to address them before winter comes. This may also be an opportunity for you to negotiate a lower price if the seller is willing to fix items such as:

• Roofs
• Paint
• HVAC systems
• Electrical
• Insulation
• Windows

4.) Holidays Have Not Started Yet

The holidays are a difficult time to shop for a new home. You may have a tough time scheduling showings, and sellers may want to wait until after the holidays are over before putting their home on the market. This is why it makes sense to start looking in autumn instead of waiting for winter. Buying a home now allows you to navigate the mortgage process before the holiday season.

5.) It Is Starting To Cool Down

Touring properties can be exhausting, especially with the sun bearing down on you. Fall is a much more enjoyable time of year to tour homes because the weather is milder, and it is easier to get access. In some cases, you can even have your home inspected now which will allow for an earlier closing date in case there are any issues with the property inspection. That would give you plenty of time to tour prospective homes during the daytime without working up a sweat.

With the leaves changing colors and temperatures dropping, it is time to start thinking about shopping for your dream home. If you're interested in buying or refinancing your property, contact us today! We would love the chance to help make your dreams come true.