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 Cedar Crest, an Erickson Living-managed retirement community in Pompton Plains, N.J., it’s actually a great time to make an exciting change.
According to Cedar Crest Personal Moving Consultant Anne Connor, winter is actually the best time to put your home on the market and make the move to carefree living at Cedar Crest. While you may think of spring as moving season, you need to get a head start to make it happen.
“Serious home buyers start shopping in January and February so that they can be settled into their new home by springtime,” says Connor. “Housing inventory is always lower in the winter, so sellers have the best chance of getting the best price for their home.”
Sellers’ 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 late October. Connor is confident that a strong seller's market will continue into the winter and spring of 2021. The estimated monthly mortgage payment on a typical single-family home of $1,066 trends 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.
According to Connor, the combination of low rates and low inventory in the winter makes for motivated buyers, ensuring sellers get the best price possible for their home. If you’re ready to take the plunge and put your home on the market, Cedar Crest can help you through every step of the process.
“Cedar Crest partners with reputable movers who do all the packing and heavy lifting for you, as well as a network of exceptional preferred Realtors® to help make moving more seamless and less stressful,” says Connor.
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 Cedar Crest, those headaches are no longer a concern.
Cedar Crest has a fulltime, 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 Cedar Crest 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. An on-site CVS pharmacy offers free delivery to your doorstep, and there is also a convenience store, ATM, bank, and on-site medical center staffed by full-time physicians.
Residents don’t have to leave the community to get essentials, making emergency store runs before a snowstorm a thing of the past. Winter can be an isolating time of year, but Cedar Crest offers a built-in community of friends and a host of entertainment and activities.
On-site amenities at Cedar Crest also include five restaurants, a fitness center, all-season pool, woodworking and hobby shop, creative arts studio, computer lab, hair salon, billiards and game room, resident-run library, and resident-run TV studio. There are more than 175 resident-run clubs and activities, offering plenty of opportunities for fun and socialization. Residents can try everything from indulging their inner thespian at the theater club to discussing the latest best-seller at book club.
With everything on-site and at your fingertips, inclement weather will never impede you from living life to the fullest.
To learn more about Cedar Crest’s vibrant retirement lifestyle, visit CedarCrestCommunity.com.
About Cedar Crest: Cedar Crest, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 130-acre campus in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. The not-for-profit community of more than 1,800 residents and 1,000 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 Cedar Crest can be found at CedarCrestCommunity.com.
Written by Kate Streit
