All I want for New Years is a New Front Porch... and maybe a house to go with it...

The weather outside may be frightful, but that doesn't mean home shopping at this busy time has to be.

Fewer homes may be on the market around the holidays as sellers take some time off to enjoy the season with their family, and fewer open houses are held during the often freezing, messy weather.

But shopping for a home at this overlooked time of year has a few perks, says a past president of the National Association of Realtors.

• Sellers who keep their homes on the market at this time are very motivated.
• You have less competition from other buyers than you would in the spring.
• Lenders, agents and others have more time to work with you.
• Interest rates are typically lower than in the spring.
• Right now home prices and interest rates have never been lower! Plus, did you know that if interest rates go up 1%, your monthly payments increase 10%?
  

And best of all, although moving during the dead of winter might pose some other challenges, relaxing on the porch of your completely unpacked home when the weather warms up is priceless.

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