While reactions to specific weather conditions can differ between individuals, there is some consensus about its effect on mood and energy. Have you ever heard of rainy-day blues or longed for the sunshine during the shorter days in winter? There’s a certain magic to mother nature that influences our outlook. And that can include how we make homebuying decisions.
Touring a home in the middle of thunderstorm versus a sunny afternoon in the middle of spring may make a huge difference. Learn how your mood may be correlated to the weather and if it can play a part in your homeownership journey.
How Does Weather Affect Your Mood?
The way that weather affects you may be different from others. If you’re partial to cooler, cloudy days, it may be that you don’t need the sun to be in a good mood. However, there have been studies about the weather and how certain conditions can truly have an impact on both your emotions and energy levels.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Affecting about 5 percent of adults in the United States, SAD refers to the severe downward dip in mood that someone gets typically during the fall and winter months when there’s less sun. Then during the spring and summer, these symptoms improve. Some common symptoms include experiencing sadness, losing interest in hobbies and changes to appetite, sleep and energy.
This drop in your physical, mental and emotional health could affect your outlook on life, including if and when you start your homebuying journey. If things you once loved are no longer appealing to you, how will you know if you love or hate a home?
Sunshine and Serotonin
In contrast to SAD, exposure to sunlight is often linked to increased levels of serotonin in the brain. And serotonin is the chemical that controls your mood. Low levels of serotonin may make you show symptoms like anxiety and depression and increased levels of serotonin may ease these symptoms.
This may explain the reason why some experience SAD or some people’s fondness for sunbathing or spending time outside when the weather is favorable.
So, when you see a home in warm, sunny weather, your upbeat mood may enable you to see more benefits in a home than issues.
Seasonal Trends in Real Estate
The real estate industry has also found some influence of weather and seasons on homebuying trends and the housing market. Sales activity tends to increase during the spring and summer and drop back down during the fall and winter months. Statistics from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) have shown that in May, June, July and August the average number of transactions is 2.1 million and accounts for 40 percent of the annual sales volume, and January is typically the slowest month for home sales.
It seems that demand is highest in the summer, which may make sense for families with children in school, as they may not want to move during the school year. But the summer weather may also be more of an incentive for potential homebuyers to go outside and tour homes in person.
However, these seasonal trends may also depend on the region. For instance, a location that experiences summer all year round may not see this much of a difference in home sales between the typical summer and winter months.
Can Weather Affect Your Homebuying?
It’s no secret that the weather can play a huge part in your mood, so it’s important to be cognizant of this fact if and when you start your homebuying journey.
Rainy, cold weather may cause your mood to drop. This may affect the way you see homes so if you do end up seeing properties during this type of weather, it may be beneficial to come back during a sunny day and see if your opinion of it changes.
You may also want to consider when during the year you decide to buy a home. A home’s curb appeal may be more alluring in the summer with plants and flowers in full bloom which can significantly impact the way you may see a particular property. In contrast, the snow of winter months could show the hassle of necessary maintenance.
No matter when you decide to tour properties to find your dream home, remember to be in tune with yourself and your mood. It may be that factors outside your control are influencing your ability to see a home’s true potential.
Weathering the Weather
If you’re currently in the market for a new home, it may be beneficial to be aware of how the weather can affect you. As you see a property, take note of the conditions that day. If it’s rainy and cold, try to see past the gloom. Is there anything inherently wrong with the home or is your mood making you focus on the small details that don’t necessarily matter? If you’re seeing a home during a summer day, ask yourself if the sun is blinding you from some serious structural issues. Is your good mood causing you to overlook things that shouldn’t be overlooked?
Don’t underestimate how weather conditions can sway your opinions. The weather may be the factor standing in the way of what could be your perfect home.
This information is intended for educational purposes only. Products and interest rates subject to change without notice. Loan products are subject to credit approval and include terms and conditions, fees and other costs. Terms and conditions may apply. Property insurance is required on all loans secured by property. VA loan products are subject to VA eligibility requirements. Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) interest rates and monthly payment are subject to adjustment. Upon submission of a full application, a mortgage banker will review and provide you with the terms, conditions, disclosures, and additional details on the interest rates that apply to your individual situation.
