Winter – A Great Time To Buy
Buying a home in Winter
Each season shows a home in a different light, our focus swings around to a different feature or benefit of a home.
Does the home receive Winter sun, where is the sun going to shine into the home in Summer? In Australia we love north facing living areas as its where we spend a great deal of time.
If the home has a swimming pool, does it receive sun throughout the year, is it in the shade in Summer?
The sun impacts on our sense of wellbeing, a lack of sun may also result in vitamin deficiencies. Choosing a home for the light makes practical sense too, with sun pouring in you have less need for the heating to be on.
Are the trees in the garden evergreen or deciduous? Deciduous trees are great to have around your home in Winter because your home will receive light and sun. Evergreen trees that create shadows in summer will also create shadows in Winter, Spring and Autumn, they can make a home very dark if they are close to the home.
Buying a Home in Winter, But What About Summer?
Buying a home in Winter we tend not to focus on air conditioning and are checking out the heating. Is it ducted, split system, wood fire? What will you need to do to keep your home an even temperature regardless of the season? Temperature variances in Winter compared to Summer can be dramatic and that woodfire which is great in Winter may be irrelevant in Summer, you will also need to move any wood away from your home and store it out of the weather.
If we buy a home in Winter then with Settlements of 60 or 90 days you may be moving in a different season. Packing your home, getting ready for sale in one season and settling in the complete opposite means we need to know exactly where our clothes are stored. Remember to pack blankets etc where you can easily reach them. Which appliances do you use in Winter? A crockpot or stockpot for stews? Make them easy to find.
Buying in winter is great, you can see where the rain pools (creates puddles), do the drains work, or does the rain overflow the gutters and end up under the house? Does the heating work? Are the rooms open with high ceilings making them harder to heat (and cool)? How many ducts or split systems are there? Are there adjustable ceiling fans to circulate and bring the heat off the ceiling? Is the home insulated?
Where is the light? Living in a dark house in Winter is depressing, constantly needing the lights on when you walk from room to room. Sensor lights that turn on automatically when you arrive home are a blessing, that run from car to front door can be hazardous. Is the garage accessible from the house? Not having to brave the elements to open garage doors, front gates etc is a game changer.
Is there a designated space for school bags, raincoats, gumboots or will they all be dumped in the front or back entry? This also applies for workboots which somehow always seem to be left in the middle of the doorway.
Buying a Home in Winter, Favourite Features
A favourite feature in my current home is the airing cupboard in the laundry. With ventilating doors and a ducted heating vent, rods to hang clothes or drape them, this is such an asset in winter or inclement weather. Not needing multiple clothes racks throughout the house, making this cupboard large enough for sheets and even snow gear was a wise decision when designing our home.
It’s the little luxuries that are so worthwhile if you are planning a home from scratch. If buying an established home, try and consider the home in every season before you buy. Where is the light? Where are the trees? What is the heating and cooling? Is there internal access from the garden? Is the garage and front gate remote controlled? Are there sensor lights?
Compromise is inevitable when you buy a home, even when you build you need to compromise. Consider all seasons, imagine your home in the heat of summer, the cold of winter, during spring rains or autumn and copious volumes of leaves.
