What Should You Expect as a Buyer this Fall?

Autumn has just arrived. The leaves are turning, and while there’s a chill in the air, the fall real estate market is anything but cold! Contrary to popular belief, this is a great time to look for a new home.

As with any large purchase, it’s important to do your research before you buy. However, sometimes it can be intimidating to even know what you should be looking for. If you’re not sure what to expect, check out the following list.

Weather and Location
Everybody knows that one of the most important things to consider when looking for a home is the location. You need to make sure it’s in an area that is convenient and appealing to you. Some questions to ask yourself:

  • How close is it to your workplace? Schools?
  • Do you like the neighbourhood?
  • Is it convenient to shops/restaurants/etc.?

While fall legitimately is a good time for real estate, it’s still a good idea to start your search as early as possible to avoid confrontations with the weather. Vancouver is notorious for its wet fall season, and you won’t want to be caught viewing houses in the rain!

Timing
You need to be prepared for a very busy season. Between the back to school rush and preparing for the approaching holiday season, it may be a struggle to find balance between all of this and still put adequate time for your home search. The key is to plan ahead, and use your time wisely.

Decisions
While the market is a bit smaller now than it is in the spring, there is still a great selection to choose from. This may make coming to a decision more of a challenge, or you might find the smaller market helpful in narrowing down your options. Either way, be sure to keep your basic criteria for your dream home in mind to stay in touch with your goals.

Prices
If your goal is to move in before the holidays, you might feel rushed to make a decision as the season approaches. You might be worried that you’re running out of time. It may be tempting to increase your budget a bit to expand your options, but it’s best if you don’t. Plan an affordable budget early on and stick with it, or it may come back to haunt you in the long run—especially with all the extra money you spend on holiday gifts and other expenses.

The Move
Fall is a very busy time of year, so your main goal overall should be moving into your new home and getting organized before the hectic holiday season sets in. Here are some tips to make the move as efficient as possible:

  • Pack a suitcase for each family member, including a few changes of clothes, as well as toothbrushes, soap, etc., and keep them in an easily accessible place. When everything is still packed up in boxes, everyone will still have access to their basic necessities.
  • Pack your items you’ll need first into clear plastic bins so they can be found easily.
  • Before you unplug everything, take a photo of the way your electronics’ wires are set up for easy reference when setting them up again.
  • Pack plates vertically—they’re much less likely to break.

Moving is stressful any time of year, but the burden can be eased if you know what to expect and how to prepare for it.