‘Tis the Season to Become a Landowner

For those of us in the real estate industry, it comes as no surprise when we see property interest fade and sales dwindle in the period from Thanksgiving until we usher in the new year. Now is the time when everyone is preoccupied with cooking and baking, visiting family and friends, attending holiday parties, decorating their home and frantically shopping for items on their holiday gift list. Well, we’re here to let you in on a little known secret. Amid all the distractions, it’s a great time of the year to actively engage in a search for land. Here are a few good reasons to continue your search through the holidays or begin a new search for land:

1. Fall and winter is the perfect time to see the lay of the land. By this time of year, the leaves have fallen off the trees, and if you’re looking at land for sale in an area with annual snowfall, the white stuff will make property features such as standing timber, streams, and rock formations stand out in high contrast. This is also a good time for buyers to evaluate access roads to the property and make sure private country roads, which often lead to rural land, aren’t impassible.

2. Buyers have an increased opportunity to score a deal. With fewer buyers actively searching for land, sellers of current inventory are reducing prices and all the new land listings coming on the market have been priced to reflect the lull of the market during this season. Additionally, due to less competition, buyers can avoid a bidding war when making an offer on a property.

3. The weather is usually very cooperative for being outdoors looking at land. For most people, it’s much easier to add a few extra layers and slip on some warm boots than it is to try to beat the scorching heat of summer, especially in the South.

4. There are fewer minor annoyances to contend with when walking a parcel of land. The gnats and mosquitoes have disappeared, snakes aren’t crawling and common outdoor allergens like pollen and mold are at the lowest levels.

5. Loans terms are usually more favorable for buyers. During the slow season, lenders are competing for your business and are more willing to negotiate loan and financing terms. Sometimes they will even forgo fees or reduce basis interest points. Also, fewer customers mean less paperwork, which results in a quicker and more efficient closing for the buyer.

Ready to get out there? Begin by searching land for sale on LANDFLIP by state, price, size and type and locate an experienced land specialist to assist with the transaction.