[spice12725]

Is there a better time to buy a house? My husband and I are coming in a few weeks. Is the housing stock lower now? Would it be better to look in the Winter when the "snowbirds" are around?
Thanks!

[dewilson58]

Best time???.............when you find a house you want.

[BobnBev]

Snowbirds bring higher prices. Prices seem to drop when they leave, just sayin.

[Bogie Shooter]

Bring your checkbook!

[Chatbrat]

Buy today, tomorrow is not guaranteed--knew lots of people who waited to do things--never did---"Man makes plans, and God laughs"

[billethkid]

Pretty safe to assume there is not a bad time. TV is not a typical housing market.

Come when convenient. Buy when you see something you like. Move in as soon as you can!!

[Nucky]

Do your homework, start shopping around with a MLS agent and Villages Agent. Let them both know about the existence of the other. Competition is good. When you find a house you like move quickly. We lost two before we found the one we bought. If they are in good shape and priced well they go quickly.

[l2ridehd]

IMHO May through August is the very best time to buy. Especially if you are looking for a resale. New doesn't much matter, you just need to be happy with where they are building.

[vintageogauge]

We thought May would be a good time after the snowbirds left but not so, we bought last May and there were 77 closings through The Villages sales office that week alone, that is a lot of homes in one week. I believe last year that July had the greatest number of sold units through MLS agents, not 100% sure but I believe I read that on a post here by one of the realtors. I don't think it really matters when you buy, finding the home you want is more important. One thing I did notice this past winter is there are a lot of overpriced for sale by owner units available and then they tend to fade away after the season.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by spice12725

Is there a better time to buy a house? My husband and I are coming in a few weeks. Is the housing stock lower now? Would it be better to look in the Winter when the "snowbirds" are around?
Thanks!

I would believe as a seller, if I wasn't in a hurry to move, I would wait until at least November to list my home. Supply and demand, more buyers in winter months are going to bring higher prices. With new home sales they usually always have a large inventory except for certain styles, like patio villas or CYV's or cottages, you may find there isn't many available now, but a week's time that could drastically change when a new section opens. However, when a villa section or spec home section nears completion, you will find more homes reduced. However, a bargain for one person is not a bargain for someone else. In today's Sun there is a new designer home for sale in LaBelle, most of us would think LaBelle was finished a long time ago. The home is reduced from $632K to $569K, bargain for some, no bargain for others.

[ohiosbestus]

For the stats go to Lyle Gant. His site has all the statistics on there That is what we did. We were in the Villages 5 years ago , the same houses we looked at are now about 30,000 dolllars highr today.

[spice12725]

Thanks, everyone...great advice...very excited (and nervous) about this BIG move!

[thetruth]

Originally Posted by spice12725

Is there a better time to buy a house? My husband and I are coming in a few weeks. Is the housing stock lower now? Would it be better to look in the Winter when the "snowbirds" are around?
Thanks!

Are you planing on living in the villages full time? Do you need to sell or are planing to sell an existing home? Are you looking new or resale?
You do not say where you are coming from but, you do say you are coming in a few weeks. The summers are hot and humid. We are ex-northerners. Just like cold and snow, eventually it seems normal. I realized my view has changed because palm trees seem normal.
DO YOUR RESEARCH-do not focus that prices are going up-YES THEY ARE but if you have an existing home, it too is going up. Even if less than here, it softens any price rise here. ON A RESALE-if you need or want to buy with a mortgage, realize that you may well bee competing with a CASH offer.
If, you work with a broker-NEVER ALOW YOURSELF THAT THEY ARE SALESPEOPLE AND THEY REPRESENT THE PERSON PAYING THEIR COMMISSION. IF, YOU ARE BUYING THAT IS THE SELLER-NOT YOU.

[New Englander]

The better time is when you come to visit. Don't forget your checkbook.

[vintageogauge]

Our Villages Sales agent told us right up front that they represent the seller, they have a contract with them to do just that so it is to be expected.