Leaves, Turkey and The Fall Market… is it over already?

I think October might be my favorite month of the year.  It’s got everything, the temperature can be crazy hot and sunny all the way to freezing with snow.  So you can use almost all of your wardrobe and there are no mosquitoes or blackflies bothering you. We have Thanksgiving and Halloween all in the same month.  If you’re a sports fan (especially this year) we have the Blue Jays in the World Series playoffs and Football season is fully underway with Hockey just getting started. My birthday, my parents’ wedding anniversary and my grandparents’ wedding anniversary are all within the first two weeks of October. I also got married on Thanksgiving weekend 23 years ago and have been in the Grimsby area ever since.  I remember it was a beautiful sunny (hot) day.  We were married in Niagara on the Lake and had our dinner at the Whirlpool Golf and Country club.  
Fall is always a busy time for me and it probably is for you too. Kids have just started back to school so by now all the extra’s are starting to kick in as well. Hockey practice, Football practice, Band, any other clubs etc.  For my kids on top of Hockey they also have Air Cadets here in Grimsby. So things are always busy. (It’s a great program I encourage every parent to check out)

On top of that, usually work gets busier. People are all done with summer vacations and now it’s a sprint to the end of the year. Projects need to get finished; year-end targets have to be met (maybe there is a bonus on the line).  I find it doesn’t matter what job or industry you’re in, everyone gets busier. Contractor friends of mine have all said that in the last few weeks its really ramped up. Building permits they’ve been waiting on for months all came in at the same time. Now they have half a dozen jobs all needing to get done right away. Makes you wonder what happens at the city that they didn’t come in throughout the summer… I won’t go down that rabbit hole today though… 😊 I’m sure your business is going through an increase in activity right now too.

Even if you’re retired this is a busy time of year. The leaves start falling, you’re getting your place ready for winter. Your kids probably need help with the grandkids so you’re spending more time over there watching the kids or taking them for sleep-overs etc. Maybe you used to be a snow-bird and now are trying to figure out what you’re doing this year if you’re not going to the USA. OR maybe you’re still going and are in the planning stages and getting your home ready for when you’re gone.

No matter what you’re doing this time of year its always busy… for everyone. I think that is why I like this time of year so much.

However, I gotta tell you… I’m not a huge fan of raking leaves… but I’m Thankfull that I have leaves to rake.

I’m not a huge fan of cleaning out my gutters... but I’m Thankful I have gutters to clean.

I don’t get really excited about putting away the patio furniture… but I’m Thankful I have a place to put patio furniture.

Even just thinking about getting out the snowblower and tuning it up gives me a shudder… but I’m Thankful that I have a driveway that needs a snowblower.

I’m making the Turkey for the family Thanksgiving meal, which is great, but my family…well, we all have different opinions when it comes to so many topics/events happening in the world right now.  So having to be on my best behavior so it doesn’t turn into a Jerry Springer episode is not the greatest…but I’m Thankful I have my family around that I have to worry about that.
I do truly enjoy writing this Newsletter every month.  Yes, I write it myself. NO, its not A.I. and yes I always wonder how many of you read it and get something from it.  I’m sure for some people they couldn’t care less….but I’m Thankful for all of you that do.

The Fall Real Estate Market…

By the time you’re reading this the Fall market will be mostly over…WHAT? Yes, believe it or not the busiest time for the Fall Market is Late August through to mid October.  Neil, the days are still nice, the fall colours are still out, why is over by mid October? Well, most buyers want to be moved in by mid-December so they can celebrate Christmas in their new home.  SO, if we assume a 60 day closing date from December 15th that brings us back to October 15th or just after Thanksgiving weekend. Now that doesn’t mean that houses won’t sell between now and Christmas its just that the number of houses that sell will begin to decrease from mid October to the end of the year.  This is primarily drive by fewer buyers actively looking at this time of year. If you are thinking of selling this is the perfect time to talk to a realtor to help identify what you need to do to your house over the winter to get it ready to sell in the new year.  What is really important as a seller is to make sure you have pictures while your home is still looking good with all the gardens, etc.  That way if you do selling the winter we can still show what your home/property looks like without all the snow etc.  Unless your house is a winter wonderland it will always look better in the summer than it does in the winter.  So make sure you get as many pics as you can now before everything is covered in snow etc.

As a Buyer this is a great opportunity because there will be a lot of houses available to buy and fewer buyers out there looking to buy right now. This means that you will have more leverage and in a stronger negotiating position….meaning better buying price for you.

I wish you and yours a great Thanksgiving and a Happy Halloween! If you are thinking about selling let me know and I would be happy to help and answer any questions you may have. 😊