Why Winter is a Great Time To Be Looking at Property

Though it may not be a convenient time to buy a home, there are some really good reasons why winter is an excellent time to look at property.  This article lists several advantages from a real estate perspective. As your microclimate obsessed Realtor, I must point out that this close to Winter Solstice, the darkest time of the year here, the truth of how much light and warmth is available in a given location is easy to see.

All too many home owners have bought homes in late spring, when the home is bathed in light, only to discover that by September, the home is in the cold shadows by 2 in the afternoon. While you can make educated guesses, based on slope and aspect of a home site, at this time of year no guessing or visualizing is necessary, just cruise the neighborhoods you favor in the morning and evening and you'll see where the shadows are. 

Here we see holiday elves standing on the North facing South side of the street at around 2:00 in the afternoon. Dark and cool, even on a bright sunny day. I'm guessing the folks across the street have smaller heating bills. In a free standing single family home the same will hold true, south and west light will bath a home all day, unless it is blocked by a hill, or other buildings.

Then there is the moisture/flooding factor...  I've been hearing stories of several homes in escrow that leaked during the last big storm- it was a doozy and if leaks were ever going to happen they happened then. So much better to learn about potential flooding or water intrusion issues before you buy a home. Winter buyers are less likely to be surprised than summer buyers. Just sayin...

San Anselmo Fairfax Patch