Give Yourself the Gift of Home Sweet Home this Holiday Season

There’s no place like home for the holidays and no better time to find your dream home than right now! So, if you’ve been thinking about buying, ’tis the season. While home prices are on the rise in San Antonio, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index released last month, now is still a great time to buy because relative to other markets, homes in San Antonio are still priced competitively. A new home might not fit under the Christmas tree, but it will definitely be a holiday to remember for years to come!

1. Rising home prices in the San Antonio area catapulted the region into third place in the nation for price growth over the past year, according to a new report, which means more people are flocking to Military City USA. What does that mean for you? While the appeal to move to San Antonio continues to escalate due to affordability, better quality of life and access to entertainment and dining, the availability of home inventory is shrinking. Consider this time one of those “snooze, you lose,” scenarios, so act now!

2. One of the primary advantages is reaping the tax benefits of buying a home before the end of the calendar year. Buying a home can mean substantial tax deductions, come tax season in the spring. This includes interest, property taxes and more, which can add up quicker than you can say, “Ho! Ho! Ho!”

3. Cooler temperatures are your friend. The Texas heat can be brutal, especially when you are moving household goods from one home to another. Moving during the winter months may be more incentive for friends and family to help you out, too. You can always show your gratitude by serving them spiked hot cocoa and holiday cookies! And just like polar bears, business for moving companies enters a temporary hibernation during winter months, which means an easier time for you to schedule professional help.

4. Just as moving companies’ traffic slows down, so does business for real estate agents. This is a plus for you, because it means more time for your agent to dedicate to your buying process. Greater accessibility to real estate professionals means a smoother and more expedited home search.

5. You will also generally have less competition from other buyers. While most folks are battling through holiday crowds, roaming the malls, and checking off their Christmas list, you can be signing your way to your dream home, which is more within reach than it might be during the spring and summer peak seasons.

6. This time of year can also mean more negotiating power for you. Sellers are usually extra eager to sell their residences before the New Year, so take advantage of their eagerness for a better deal. According to a national online real estate site, home prices are almost five percent lower in the winter. And because there is usually less activity when it comes to buying a home during the holidays, you can be sure to use it to your advantage and negotiate a price more attractive to you and your family.

7. With months until the summer season, you can look forward to enjoying your summer holiday, with peace of mind that you’ve secured your dream home months in advance. Summer is a great time to pack your bags and treat yourselves to a beach vacation. With your home purchase under your belt, you can rest assured there won’t be anything stopping you from taking that summer escape. As more buyers come out of the woodwork during summer, you’ll be saluting them, “bon voyage!”

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, now is the best time to buy a house for those hunting. Just like starry-eyed children light up at the joyous sound of Santa’s sleigh bells, you can find similar merriment in the sound of your new home keys rattling in your pocket. And, if condo-living in the heart of downtown San Antonio is on your Christmas list, we’ve got you covered at My San Antonio Home Resource. San Antonio residences might not all be equipped with chimneys for jolly old St. Nick’s grand entrance, but word on the street is that Mr. Claus himself likes to enjoy a night cap at the Riverwalk before returning to the North Pole!

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