Fall in love with Charlotte
Summer offers the hottest real estate market, both in terms of temperature and sales. However, cooling temperatures and falling leaves often yield a lovely combination of falling home prices and a rise in outdoor activities. As a result, fall is often the best time to shop for a new home, and moving to Charlotte in the fall is no exception.
Fall homes, lower prices
Families with school-age children often prefer to buy a new home in the summer when kids are out of school. This drives prices and demand during the hot, humid months, when 50 percent of national home sales take place. However, home deals in North Carolina and other temperate areas are often best when the nip of fall is in the air.
Closings in January typically display a dip in housing prices. This indicates that buyers who made offers in November and December got better deals. Median prices are higher in the summer. But once a large majority of sales have taken place, motivated fall sellers are more flexible on price so that they can close by December 31 for tax purposes.
Fall in Charlotte, NC
While the peak of fall colors adorning area trees has already passed, home shopping and moving to Charlotte later in the fall allows newcomers to sample the wealth of outdoor activities and festivals in the area this time of year. The crisp weather is a respite from summer heat and humidity without the threat of an occasional winter snow storm. In fact, November is the driest month in the region.
As a result of the climate, this region hosts a variety of fall activities in Charlotte, NC, ranging from carnivals to celebrations at cultural attractions, historic sites and neighborhood centers. For example, every year local Charlotteans enjoy the Yiasou Greek Festival, full of delicious food, fun and Greek culture. The Carolina Renaissance Festival also comes to the Charlotte area for a month. A local tradition in Charlotte, this large festival comes every fall and is perfect for people of all ages. In early December, there is the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s Weihnachtsmarkt, the area’s version of a German “Christmas Market,” with the requisite Biergarten.
If you’re looking for a fun ride, there is The “Polar Express” Train Ride at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in nearby Spencer. Also, from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, Romare Bearden Park transforms into the Charlotte Christmas Village. These activities and other street festivals, pumpkin patches, apple picking and holiday craft fairs allow visitors and newcomers to gain a sense of the community, area culture and regional cuisine.
Other autumn advantages
There are a few other home-shopping benefits offered in the fall in Charlotte, NC:
- With the holidays around the corner, sellers want to move and get settled before putting up their holiday decorations. Buyers, too, want to welcome friends and family into their new home. As a result, everyone is more motivated to make a deal and close quickly.
- Getting settled in a new home can be a less expensive undertaking this time of year, too. Moving truck prices are based on supply and demand. With less people moving in the fall, prices are typically much lower, particularly midweek.
- December is the best time to purchase major appliances, according to Consumer Reports. January is best for new sheets and linens. Take advantage of year-end or New Year’s sales to outfit your new home.
Buying a new home and moving to a new city is a major undertaking. However, if you’re thinking about relocating to Charlotte and visit the area in autumn, be forewarned: You’re likely to fall in love.
