We're at the Witching Season

It's not only Halloween next week, it's the best time to buy property.  Sellers who are ready to move on, and who may have maintenance costs on empty buildings, or tax consequences if they don't close by the end of the year, are at their most reasonable.  Buyers may have their own deadlines, and the end of the calendar year provides a natural one for most.  With motivated parties on both sides, we often find that sales come together more quickly at this time of year.  Even bankers and other professionals have reasons to want to move the process along without delays. 

Buyers should use this scenario to push for a good result, especially by offering to close quickly.  If you haven't bought or sold real estate recently, you may find the experience more like waterboarding than like waterskiing, so be sure to answer all calls and requests for documents right away.  Don't think that people will back down on requirements--many times they have no control over certain items. 

Sellers need to heed the same advice--you are not in control here, and that may be hard to stomach.  Just gird yourself for some bumps in the road, and think forward to the holiday season, and the nice vacation you'll be able to take when you've gotten through the closing.  Remember that the buyer may not be driving the bus, either, and don't assume that s/he is trying to take advantage of you.  See the above comments and think about your own buying history, especially if you have borrowed money in the past ten years or so. 

I'm presenting the worst case here, and often it can be much smoother.  Whether it is or it isn't, almost everyone is happy in the end that they got through it, and that the property changed hands.  Keep that end goal in mind, and get serious about property transfer in the last quarter of the year.  You'll be glad that you did.