If I had a dollar for every time I witnessed a prospective buyer asking about the right time to buy, I would be a very wealthy woman. To be honest, ‘it depends.’
Each season presents its own pros and cons in terms, which makes every season a perfect time to buy or the worst time. In essence, it all depends on your own readiness, preferences, budget, and needs. Since we’ve just welcomed the summer solstice with some of Atlanta’s hottest and stickiest weather in years, I’ll focus on the top reasons why we here at Sage & Cedar love house hunting in the summer.
Why start house hunting during the summer?
Summer is a fantastic season for house hunting, offering numerous advantages for prospective buyers. The extended daylight hours and abundant sunlight make it easier to schedule viewings and thoroughly explore potential neighborhoods at your convenience. Whether you’re an early bird or prefer evening tours, let’s see why the long days of summer provide ample time to fit in home visits around your schedule.
See Outdoor Spaces in their full glory
One of the standout benefits of summer home shopping is the opportunity to see homes and their outdoor spaces at their very best. The warm weather brings out the lush beauty of gardens and highlights the inviting nature of patios and outdoor living areas. Seeing a property in full bloom and under bright skies allows you to better appreciate its curb appeal and envision how you’d enjoy the space throughout the year.
Seeing the plants and trees in bloom will also give you a realistic idea of the level of home maintenance you’ll need to put in (or hire for) outdoors. It’s important to keep your preferences and capabilities in mind when considering the outdoor spaces. Other things you’ll be able to think about are whether the space is ready and suitable for entertaining and if your outdoor furniture will fit and look good.
More available properties
Moreover, the real estate market tends to be more active in the summer, offering a wider selection of properties. With more listings available, you have a greater chance of finding a home that perfectly matches your needs and preferences. The increased market activity can also provide more opportunities for negotiating the best deal on your dream home.
Summer schedules provide more flexibility for house hunting
If you have kids, summer is a golden window for house hunting. Without the rush of school drop-offs, homework, and after-school chaos, it’s easier to plan showings, attend open houses, and even imagine what your family’s summer could look like in a new home.
Does your company become more lenient during the summer? If you benefit from a more lax summer work schedule or summer Fridays, this could definitely benefit your house search. Maybe you’re scrolling through houses on a break when you see something you like and you want to jump on it as soon as possible, so you call your agent and try to schedule a showing for that afternoon.
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More inventory, less competition (yes, seriously)
Summer is one of the busiest seasons for new listings, which means more homes on the market. That gives you more options to compare and a better chance of finding a home that checks every box on your wishlist.
While summer is busy, it’s also filled with vacations and travel plans. That means some buyers hit pause, giving you a potential edge. Less competition can lead to stronger negotiating power—and a better chance of securing the home you love.
Get prepared for the summer house hunting season
While we agents unanimously agree that you really can’t lose as a buyer during winter, spring, or fall, we also agree that summer is an ideal time to embark on the home-buying journey for all of the reasons we listed above.
If you’re ready to take advantage of the summer market and start searching for your perfect home, we’re here to help! Schedule your buyer meeting with us to get started with finding your dream home this summer.