The holidays are a busy time of year, with many people spending time attending parties, buying gifts, and decorating. Not as many are thinking about looking at Excelsior homes for sale this time of year, but it's actually an excellent time to buy a home. This is especially true if you live in a colder climate like Minnesota.

The following are some reasons why it's a great time to put a new home on your holiday wish list:

• Motivated sellers
  Since there are fewer potential buyers looking for homes over the holidays, sellers are often more motivated. They know that it's not necessarily the best season for selling their home, so it may have been on the market for a while. The seller may also be motivated by a job change or another time-sensitive event. This means they may be willing to lower the purchase price or make other concessions like paying for a home warranty.
  
  
• Greater access to real estate professionals
  Real estate professionals don't see as much business over the holidays, so you're likely to have more access to real estate agents, lenders, and attorneys. This can make the deal proceed more quickly and easily with a faster closing date.
  
  
• Less competition
  Fewer prospective buyers are house hunting over the holidays, so you won't have as much competition as you'd have at other times of the year. As a result, you're less likely to have another buyer make a higher offer on a home and drive your offer up or cause you to lose the home.
  
  
• Lower prices
  Although prices can vary from market to market and home to home, December usually has homes selling for lower average prices when compared to other months. You may pay be able to pay less for a home this time of year than you'd pay if you were looking at it in warmer temperatures and farther away from the holidays.
  
  
• A more realistic view of houses
  Landscaping looks drearier in the winter, so you don't have to worry that beautiful flowers, trees, and shrubbery are wowing you too much. You'll get a clear, realistic view of houses that probably aren't looking as good as they do at other times of the year. And the exterior of the house is more likely to be visible since it's not blocked by blooming plants, shrubs, and leafy trees. You'll also be able to note any cold drafts in a home, whether the window seals seem tight, and how well the furnace is working.
  
  
• Possible tax benefits
  Depending on your financial situation, you may be able to reap some tax benefits by buying a home close to the end of the year. Closing on a home at the end of the year may enable you claim deductions on expenditures like property taxes, mortgage interest, and points paid on a mortgage loan when you file your taxes next year.
  
  
• Sales for home-related items
  Whether you're moving into your first home or you'd like to update items from your previous home, you probably have a long list of items you need to help furnish the home you buy. If you need to buy items such as appliances or new furniture, you'll probably be able to score some good deals over the holiday season. Don't stretch your finances too thin, but if you can pay less for these purchases over the holidays without putting too much strain on your budget, it could be the right time to buy.

Contact Homes by Joel if you'd like to put a new home on your holiday wish list!