
The Impact of Seasonality on North Shore Real Estate: When to Buy or Sell
Many factors influence the best time to buy or sell a home on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Prices, availability, and interest rates are some of the first ones to come to mind – but what about the seasons? In this blog we will explore the impact of seasonality on North Shore real estate and when you should buy or sell your home.
Fall
The fall season brings gorgeous colors and landscapes to the North Shore of Massachusetts every year. This beautiful fall foliage can enhance the appearance of certain properties and make them more appealing to buyers. The season also coincides with the start of the school year, having a major impact on the real estate market. Buyers with families will likely want to be settled before the school year begins to avoid disrupting their child’s education, leading to fewer looking to buy in the fall season. While there may be fewer buyers, a motivated seller can benefit from less competition in the fall market.
Summer
With the summer season comes gardens in full bloom and inviting outdoor spaces. Sellers can showcase porches, patios, pools, and yards in a market full of buyers. The pleasant weather and longer daylight hours typically lead to increased buyer activity. Additionally, as previously mentioned, families looking to relocate are likely to do so in the summer months to avoid educational interruptions. A summer move allows children to help with the move and even participate in summer recreational activities to meet others in their new community.
In the summer, sellers can often command higher prices but it is important to note the competition among buyers can become intense.
Winter
Winters in New England are cold and the North Shore is no stranger to these low temperatures and heavy snowfall. The gloomy natural environment typically leads to fewer listings available as sellers wait for spring. It is important for sellers to properly stage their property and upkeep maintenance if they are looking to sell in the winter season as properties tend to look less appealing in the cold and in snow. If you are a serious buyer during the winter, you may experience less competition and potentially better deals. Talk to your realtor to seek out your best options!
Spring
The North Shore real estate market sees a resurgence in the spring as sellers want to capitalize on improved weather after the winter months and buyers are ready to shop. Inventory increases, but so does buyer competition. It can get fierce, potentially leading to bidding wars, so buyers should be prepared to act quickly. Sellers can benefit from this fierce market with great presentation and proper pricing.
The spring market also begins to heat up with families looking to buy and get settled in homes before kids go back to school. With a spring buy, a family can plan to move in the summer months after the school year has ended and be well settled before school starts back up again in the fall. This also gives both the kids and parents a chance to participate in any summer recreational activities where they can meet people and build relationships in their new community.
Whatever the season may be, I am here to assist you in your real estate journey. Contact me today to begin the process of buying or selling your next home on the North Shore.