Whether you're an investor or a buyer/seller, knowing what moves the real estate market is key to maximizing gains and getting the best deal possible. One of the key factors that impact real estate value is seasonal changes. Buying or selling propery in wintertime can be a difference of night and day when trying to sell the same unit during summertime. Here are three ways on how cooler weather can affect the real estate market.

Slower Business

As with any financial market, the real estate market is dictated by supply and demand. There are seasons of the year wherein buyers outnumber sellers, during which time it becomes more challenging to purchase a property within your desired budget due to the bigger amount of bids coming in. Summer is typically the busiest season of the year, with people buying more aggressively than any other time of the year. Come wintertime, the demand subsides and so does the market prices. This makes it a great time to buy real estate but not so much to sell one.

Different Staging Process

Staging a home that you want to sell during wintertime will involve slightly different design elements than when you're staging a home during summertime. For starters, you'll want to crank the furnace or boiler up to keep the temperature indoors nice and cozy for home buyers who come in to check the property. Boosting curb appeal during wintertime can also be more challenging since there is less natural light in the day and less vibrant colors surrounding your property. You can boost your property's curb appeal by adding tall grass and purple-colored cabbage plants for some background contrast.

Lower Realtor Costs

With a lower demand in housing, you have more wiggle room both as a buyer and a seller. Realtor costs, for instance, can be negotiated to reflect the seasonal freeze in demand for their services. Contractors may also offer lower pricing for their services to get more business in a time when demand for work is seasonally lower.

Regardless if you're a buyer or a seller, patience is perhaps the most important value to succeed, especially in a market like real estate where seasonal changes impact valuation. Simply being patient and timing your purchase or sale can net you savings or profits of 5-10 percent easily.