Did you know that the holidays are among the best times of the year to buy a home? Put a giftwrapped set of housekeys under your Christmas tree and ring in the new year with a new abode you’ll love. Here are a few reasons why now is the time.

Home prices aren’t going down. The U.S. Economic Outlook from the National Association of REALTORS in September 2019 predicts that this year will end with a median national home price of $269,600, while home prices in 2020 will reach $278,500, a difference of $8,900 or 3%. In fact, home prices steadily rose for 89 months as of July 2019.

Mortgage interest rates are favorable. Advises Mortgagereports.com, mortgage interest rates are at or near three-year lows and are expected to stay low, making it possible for fall homebuyers to lock in record-low interest rates. That’s something to give thanks over in November! Lower rates make homes more affordable than they were a year ago, when rates were higher.

Less competition for homes. Over 51% of homes were sold in less than a month in July 2019, as families were pressed to move into their new homes before the new school year that begins every August. Housing traffic historically slows down in cooler weather. Sellers may be more willing to negotiate if they know you’re serious about buying a home. Get prequalified for your loan and be willing to move during the holidays, and you could score a great deal.

With warmer weather across the country, it’s taking longer for trees to drop their leaves, so you may find yourself doing a lot of raking in late October and early November. But after the work is finished, you have to bag the leaves and let them sit on your curb for collection.

Or, you can put them to good use and save using plastic bags, too.  

Popular Mechanics suggests that mowing your leaf-covered lawn is a great way to create organic mulch. It mixes grass clippings with shredded leaves and reduces the leaves to one-tenth their volume. This nutrient-rich mixture, according to Gardeningknowhow.com, helps soil retain moisture, improves fertility and reduces erosion. It also helps protect your lawn from winter damage.

Mow your leaves often to prevent rotting that harms your grass. You can use a regular lawnmower, but you may have to go over the leaves several times to turn them into mulch. You can also use a mulching lawnmower, with a blade designed to shred and return clippings to the lawn.

You can also shred leaves with a leaf mulcher. These tools are lightweight, portable and can make mulch from leaves, pine needles and other small organic materials, wet or dry. Leaf mulchers can be placed on top of large trashcan that makes clean up easier and faster and allows you to take the mulched leaves and distribute them as you like it. Mix in some cedar chips and sow the mulch around trees to protect the roots.