| Many people don't think about shopping for a | | | | they may or may not be as flexible on their |
| second home in these cold winter months, | | | | selling price.Some minor disadvantages of |
| especially if they are looking to buy | | | | buying a second home during the colder months |
| | | | can range from discomfort of looking at homes |
| waterfront. BUT if you are looking to get a | | | | (sometimes unheated) in the colder weather, |
| little more of a bargain, then "Tis the | | | | to not knowing what the property actually |
| Season" to be shopping.Typically real estate | | | | looks like during the warmer seasons. If you |
| slows down as the months get colder. This is | | | | are looking to buy waterfront property, in |
| especially true at the beginning of the year, | | | | most cases (in this region of the U.S) the |
| after the holidays have passed and many | | | | lakes and rivers can often be frozen over and |
| peoples budgets are a little tighter. During | | | | you may not be able to get an idea of what |
| this time many sellers will be more flexible | | | | the property might be like during the warmer |
| on their price, knowing that it's not the | | | | months. The key to this is to do some |
| prime season to sell.With second homes, many | | | | research or have the seller (or real estate |
| owners don't like the idea of having to pay | | | | agent) provide some current photos of the |
| for the high cost of heating during these | | | | property (and the waterfront) taken during |
| cold months, if the house isn't occupied. | | | | the warmer months of the year. You'll have to |
| This is even more true with the higher cost | | | | be the judge on whether you are comfortable |
| of fuel. Often owners will get the property | | | | with the information that is (or is not) |
| winterized to save money while others will | | | | provided, so that you can make an educated |
| often leave their homes (or cottages) lightly | | | | choice on whether you should entertain making |
| heated to prevent drywall from cracking or to | | | | an offer on a property. Sometimes you may |
| keep other things from shrinking or expanding | | | | want to wait until the spring to make your |
| from the change in temperature.Also, with | | | | decision and hope that the property is still |
| today's job market (especially here in | | | | available at that time.As for the advantages, |
| Michigan, with the auto industry being in | | | | you may be able to pick up a property at a |
| trouble), many people are looking to get out | | | | much better price than you would during the |
| from under the extra payment of a second | | | | prime selling season. Also, since the market |
| home. If a second home owner experiences a | | | | is slower during these months, there will be |
| job lose or cut in pay, they often can't they | | | | less people looking at homes, therefore |
| afford to keep their second home mortgage. | | | | minimizing your chances of competing against |
| When this occurs, sellers can sometimes find | | | | other potential buyers. This creates a great |
| themselves in a major financial pinch. In | | | | buyers market for you!So if you have been |
| some cases they may need to unload that | | | | thinking about buying a second home, you may |
| second home in a hurry to prevent | | | | want to consider starting your search now. It |
| foreclosure. Therefore, they are more willing | | | | may give you the leg up on getting a better |
| to take a cut on the fair market value price | | | | deal in the long run.Copyright 2006 Ivie |
| to move the property more quickly.Another | | | | Baker. You may republish this article in its |
| situation that I often run into is a retired | | | | entirety, only if you leave the author's note |
| couple (or person) deciding to sell their | | | | & website hyperlinks intact.Ivie Baker |
| second home to get rid of the responsibility | | | | specializes in waterfront and recreational |
| of maintaining two properties. This can often | | | | properties. She has been with Kehoe Realty |
| be a burden when health is failing or they | | | | Inc since April of 1999 and is an Accredited |
| simply don't find the time or have desire to | | | | Buyer Representative (ABR). This designation |
| visit their second home anymore. Another | | | | is a benchmark of excellence in buyer |
| reason might be the need for the extra money | | | | representation. She is also her own webmaster |
| because of the lack of adequate income from | | | | for her real estate sites. |
| retirement. Depending on their situation, | | | | |