6 Good Reasons You Should Buy Real Estate in December

It's true December and New Year's Day give you the perfect occasion to buy real estate. Not only can you pick up a bargain property from a motivated seller even in current market conditions and you can also save on your purchase expenses and costs. Consider this:

1.  Home shoppers put off looking for a home because of holiday decorating, shopping, and parties. Plus, the cold weather makes home buyers prefer to stay home; they wait for warm weather to buy real estate. Get the edge with little competition from other buyers who are out looking now.

2.  Home sellers who didn't sell during the summer buying season and are worried that their home will not sell. Also, any seller offering their home for sale during the holiday season is incredibly motivated.

3.  Real estate agents need to keep their momentum going even now and can't afford to take too much time off. When the agents aren't as busy, you get better service. Additionally, they're more likely to take low offers seriously. Agents love investors ready to buy real estate during December too. Investors are out in droves right now.

4.  Interest rates continue to remain steady, but can change at any time. Who knows what the rates will look like next year? Now is the time to get that offer.

5.  Lenders threaten to tighten up qualifications next year. All this year, most loan officers were able to get through almost any loan. Today is your best shot to buy real estate and get a great rate with the best qualifications.

6.  Appraisers need work even in this economy. Too many individuals became real estate appraisers when there was too much work. It used to take a week or more to schedule an appraisal. My office is seeing appraisals move at a pretty decent pace. Key point, appraisal fees cost less now than they did a year ago.

Go out! Grab your schedule and make time from all the holiday hustle and bustle and go ahead and find a bargain house. Make as many offers as you can. You can still buy this late in the month and be a home owner before tax time.