10 Tips for Getting a Deal on a Home in the Fall

Find a bargain before the holidays with these house hunting and negotiating strategies

By Shannon Petrie, FrontDoor.com | Published: 7/02/2010

If you're looking for a bargain on a home, fall can be a great time to start house hunting.

If you're looking for a bargain on a home, fall can be a great time to start house hunting.

#1: Get the timing right. Most real estate professionals say the spring/summer homebuying season is followed by a lull in real estate activity in September, when homeowners settle in after vacations, go back to work and get the kids ready for a new school year. If a bargain is what you're after, start shopping for a home in August and September. There may not be as many homes on the market as there are in the spring, but you'll have less competition from other buyers, and sellers will be more motivated and willing to negotiate.

But be sure to keep your local market in mind when house hunting in the fall. Ski-resort towns and areas with temperate climates, such as Florida and California, don't always have a "down time" when it comes to real estate sales. You may be competing with just as many buyers as you would during the spring, so be prepared to make solid offers and negotiate with sellers.

MORE:
How to Work a Buyer's Market
Your Home: Fall Season - Home Renovation, Home Repair, Decorating Ideas and Real Estate Tips for Fall

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