5 Tips For Buying a House This Holiday Season

Sellers Are Motivated And Closings Happen Quickly at Year’s End

If you’re looking to buy a home in Rossmoor, CA, during the holiday season, there are a few tips that can help make the process easier and more productive. Working with an Orange County real estate agent who knows the Rossmoor market and neighborhoods is a good first step. Scott Underwood is an Orange County real estate broker and Realtor Rossmoor CA residents have counted on for years to find great homes during the holidays and all year round.

Here are 5 helpful tips for buying a home in Rossmoor, CA, during the holidays.

1. There’s Less Competition

The end of the year is typically a slower time for residential real estate sales. People are busy with preparations, holiday events, and house guests, meaning there are fewer people looking at listings. That means that scheduling showings can be a bit of a challenge, which is why using an Orange County real estate broker makes sense. A professional Orange County real estate agent can help get appointments that get you into a home you want to see.

2. Sellers Are Motivated

An experienced Realtor Rossmoor CA home buyers work with will likely tell you that sellers with homes on the market during the holidays are usually more motivated to close a deal. Whether it’s an imminent home relocation or the house has been on the market for a while, you’re likely to have more success. While that may mean you have an advantage, you should be careful not to wildly underbid for these homes if the house is reasonably priced and inspections come back favorably.

3. Look Past the Decorations

One challenge to looking at homes for sale during the holidays is that the homes are sometimes not in their usual state. Seasonal decorations frequently mean rearranging furniture and more ‘stuff’ in the rooms you’re viewing. Don’t be distracted by the decorations. The lights, Christmas tree, menorah table, and Santas can hide the true appearance. One suggestion: Ask for photos of the home and property when it is not decorated for the holidays. Ask for or take your own measurements of rooms so you have a true idea of their size without furniture removed and an evergreen in the middle of the room.

4. Get Your Mortgage Approval Early

The holidays are a busy time for lending officers and underwriters too. Holiday vacations and early closures can delay the process to review, process and approve your mortgage application. The same goes for other service providers, such as home inspectors and insurance agents. That’s why you want to make sure you gain pre-qualification for your mortgage if possible and know the schedules of the professionals you need to seal a deal.

5. Closings Are Faster

The same scheduling constraints mean that your brokers and bankers will be motivated to get closings done quickly. The proceeds from the transactions can be added to end-of-year sales figures and help sellers and others resolve financial matters before the start of a new tax year.

When you need an experienced Orange County real estate broker helping with your holiday home-buying, count on Scott Underwood and his team at Meadowbrook Realty. With more than 30 years of experience with the local real estate market, Scott Underwood is ready to serve homebuyers throughout the holidays.