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