Pros And Cons Of Moving During Winter

While cold weather is fun and all it does have shorter days. Many people think it is not the best time to move during the winter season as well. However, there are some good offers which come along with the winter season. Like lower pricing, scheduling flexibility or other benefits. Here are some of the pros and cons of moving during winter.

Pros of Moving During the Winter

Sure, the weather outside might occasionally be frightful and cold, but the best time of the year to move into a new place might actually be during those winter months. Here are a few reasons as to why.

Less Competition

First of all, if you’re looking to move during the winter, you’re going to have much less competition than if you were looking to move in the spring or the summer. During the warmer months, college students are out of school, graduates are moving to new cities, and families are not relocating to avoid moving their kids during the school year. Usually when it is warm people keep moving around so landlords have no problem getting people. However during what winter season not many people decide to move because of the cold which means landlords with empty houses will easily lower the price for you to come and stay.

Lower Rents During the Winter

Landlords don’t like empty apartments and houses because fewer people are looking to rent during the winter. This means that they may try and get you with lower rents during this time. In fact, it is known that individuals renting between the months of December and March typically find the best rental bargains. It is known that the most expensive months to start a lease for your house are between May and October. You can use this to your advantage before things go back to normal. Which means it will be easier to get your residential moving done.

Better Negotiations

Along those same lines, you have a distinct negotiating advantage in the winter that you don’t have in the summer when they have dozens of people willing to take the apartment as is for the price they command. During the winter landlords want to fill the vacancy, they tend to be more lenient and open to negotiations.

For example, if the apartment generally doesn’t allow pets, but you have a cat, they might just let that slide, and you and Fluffy can live there with no worries. You could ask about a shorter or longer lease term, nicer amenities, associated fees, parking restrictions, and above all rent. During peak months, you’re at their mercy in terms of this point. But when they’re feeling a bit desperate and want to fill the vacancy, you might be able to negotiate different rates.

More Attention from Moving Companies

If you use a moving company, one very important thing is that you will have a wider selection of choices during the winter. Their schedules are lighter, meaning they can often even fit you in on short notice. Once you go with a specific company, you’ll have plenty of time to work out a deal, and the moving crews will have enough time to handle all your items very carefully so that the winter moving will be very efficient and relaxing for everyone. There are both pros and cons of moving during winter as per the attention.

Cons of Moving During the Winter

There are also some drawbacks to packing up your stuff and hauling it to a new place when the snow flies. Such as:

Bad Weather

This is by far the most significant deterrent for most people, as snow, ice, subzero temperatures, and even a massive storm are the risks that you take when you decide to move in the winter. There is a chance that movers will slip and fall on ice and break some of your items. The freezing temperature during winters doesn’t only affect your body it can also damage some of your belongings. Many roads may also be closed because of the snow or ice. This means you are at a higher risk for an accident.

To be able to properly take care of your stuff during winter you will need to insulate all your belongings and not allow the cold air to get in the truck. Additionally, it may be a good idea to protect all floors and carpets in your old place and your new place.

Fewer Options

There is a lot less competition during winter however there are also a lot fewer companies willing to move during this time. Most apartment and House leases end during the summer, meaning summer renters often have more units to choose from.

In the winter, you run the risk of renting the apartment or home of someone who terminated their lease, was evicted, or left due to other unexpected circumstances. After all the listing might even be less than your ideal one. But as long as you know what factors are really important to you in your new place, you can decide what you’re willing to compromise on before signing on the dotted line.

Busier Season All-Around

We all know the holidays are in the winter, this just means that it will be even busier than normal. You might not even have any time to settle down into your new place. Then before you know it you’re thrown into holiday shopping, parties, and the general hustle and bustle. Moving will take time away from your holidays, so you have to decide if you want to spend your time packing up boxes of your belongings or packing up and wrapping boxes for seasonal gatherings. This can be considered both pros and cons of moving during winter as people get busier.