While it’s not lauded as the most popular time to buy a home, the fall season actually comes with a number of home-buying benefits. Reduced competition, motivated sellers, more time to consider your options, and…Black Friday sales?
It’s probably not the first perk you think of, but if you’re gearing up to buy a new home, odds are you’ll need to make a few big ticket purchases. And what better time to do it than during one of the best sales seasons of the year?
Play your cards right, and you could end up furnishing your newly purchased home for a fraction of the regular price. Here’s how to navigate Black Friday sales and get the best deals for your new place.
Plan Ahead
Over the years, Black Friday has grown to become a heavily trafficked, multi-day affair. You’re about to be braving some pretty extreme crowds, so knowing exactly which stores you’re hitting and what you’re getting is the key to getting in and out as quickly as possible.
The Black Friday pros know: if you really want to make that happen, then you have to put in the time studying the ads beforehand.
In the days and weeks before Black Friday, pour through the ads, making note of the best deals for big ticket items for your new home. So far, you’ll find that major electronics, like TVs and smart speakers, are some of the best deals. Prioritize the stores with the best deals, and make a schedule for when you’ll hit each.
Compare Prices
During Black Friday, competition works in your favor. Stores will be trying to ever-so-slightly edge each other out for the best prices, so you’ll want to cross-check deals to find the best price.
Also, you may not even need to go into the store to get the deals! Sometimes some of the best bargains are online-only or don’t come up until the following Cyber Monday.
Focus on Timing
When is the best time to hit the stores? Is it right away in the morning? Should you pitch a tent on Thanksgiving night? Or should you wait until halfway through the day, when other shoppers are getting fatigued?
In reality, shopping on the day of Black Friday is becoming less and less of a necessity. Instead, this year’s prime bargain window is between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. If you’re focused on online deals, you’ll find the best time to browse is 12am on the day before Thanksgiving and 3pm on Black Friday.
If you do opt for braving the crowds on the day of, studies show that the best time to go is before 8am, and traffic peaks from 2pm – 4pm.
Show Your Loyalty
For some stores, they send out last-minute or exclusive alerts for their best deals to their most loyal customers. You still have time to join a few loyalty programs, so see if the stores you’re hitting offer any!
An added bonus: you might even get special coupons that are only applicable on Black Friday and reserved for loyalty members!
Stick to Your Budget
With so many bargains and price cuts, it’s easy to get swept away in the deals and end up picking up more than you actually need. Create a budget for your big-ticket items—and feel free to reserve a little flex space for impulse buys—and try to make that number your cut-off point.
This is especially important if you haven’t yet purchased a home. Large purchases can end up throwing your finances for a loop, and most lenders will generally advise you to avoid doing so.
Find Your New Home in the Triangle
Braving the Black Friday crowds is tough, but buying a home doesn’t have to be—not when you work with local professionals. If you’re hoping to find a new home in the Triangle this fall, let the Trademark Residential Team help!
From in-depth area guides to extensive buying resources to a specialized search tool, we have everything you need to make your real estate experience a breeze. Ready to get started? Just give us a call!