Real estate experts say that winter is the ideal time to move
The New Year is upon us, and it’s a great time for fresh starts. While you may not think of January as the ideal month to think about moving, for seniors considering starting their next chapter at Seabrook, an Erickson Living-managed retirement community in Tinton Falls, N.J., it’s actually a great time to make an exciting change.
While you may think of spring as moving season, you need to get a head start to make it happen. Many home buyers begin shopping in January and February in order to be settled into their new homes by springtime. Because housing inventory is always lower in the winter, sellers have the best chance of getting the best price for their home with this strategy.
Seller's market
According to the National Association of Realtors®, contract signings continued to outpace new listings, with nearly 9 new contract signings per 10 new listings in the past four weeks as of October 25.
Seabrook Personal Moving Consultant Kristin Phillips is confident that a strong seller's market will continue through the winter and into the spring of 2021. As of October 23, the estimated monthly mortgage payment on a typical single-family home of $1,066 is trending below the estimated median rent of $1,161. What’s more, mortgage rates have fallen to a new historic low of 2.8%, and rates are expected to continue to remain low for quite some time. The combination of these factors makes it the ideal time for sellers to get the best return.
“Interest rates are so low for buyers that houses are not lasting more than a week to 10 days on the market if priced accordingly,” says Phillips. “It is the perfect time for someone to list their house accurately and likely get over asking price. If priced correctly, bidding wars have been common. This is the perfect time to find the right apartment home at Seabrook and be settled in for a fresh start during the New Year!”
No winterizing needed
Winter can be tough on homeowners, especially in New Jersey. There’s snow to shovel, gutters to clean, and pipes to prevent from freezing. As a resident of Seabrook, those headaches are no longer a concern. Seabrook has a full-time, on-site maintenance staff, so residents never have to worry about an unexpected winter emergency, such as a broken furnace or a flooded basement. Moving now means you won’t spend another winter season dealing with all the problems the season can bring.
Stay cozy, warm, and connected
With all the time you’ll save thanks to your maintenance-free lifestyle, you can engage in all that Seabrook has to offer. Buildings are connected by indoor walkways, meaning you never have to brave the frightful weather to get where you need to go. Residents don’t have to leave the community to get essentials, making emergency store runs before a snowstorm hits a thing of the past. Winter can be an isolating time of year, but Seabrook offers a built-in community of friends and a host of entertainment and activities.
On-site amenities at Seabrook also include three restaurants, a fitness center, all-season pool, woodworking and hobby shop, creative arts studio, computer lab, hair salon, billiards and game room, library, and resident-run TV studio.
With everything on-site at your fingertips, inclement weather will never impede you from living life to the fullest.
To learn more about Seabrook’s active retirement lifestyle, visit SeabrookCommunity.com.
About Seabrook: Seabrook, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 98-acre campus in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. The not-for-profit community of more than 1,400 residents and 750 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, Inc., who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. Additional information about Seabrook can be found at SeabrookCommunity.com.
Photo: Many home buyers start looking in winter so they can be settled into their new home by springtime. Photo credit: Cade Martin
Written by Kate Streit
