Buying a house in Massachusetts in October is VERY different from touring one in June.
And honestly?
That can work in your favor.
By fall, the pretty summer flowers aren't doing all the heavy lifting anymore. We've had rain. Temperatures are dropping. Leaves are coming down. Heating systems are starting to turn on.
A house has to start showing you how it actually functions.
If you're buying a home in Western Massachusetts this fall, here are some things October can reveal that you might completely miss during a beautiful 78 degree summer showing.
1. Pay Attention to How the Property Handles Water
Welcome to New England, where we can discuss drainage at a showing and somehow still have fun. 😂
Fall rain gives us a great opportunity to look around the property.
Are there areas where water collects?
Does the yard slope toward or away from the foundation?
Do the gutters appear to be working correctly?
Is there staining or evidence of moisture in the basement?
None of these things automatically mean there is a serious problem.
But they are things worth noticing.
This is also exactly why I want you looking at the basement when we're touring a house.
Yes, even when the basement is creepy.
Especially then.
2. Those Beautiful Trees Come With Responsibilities
I LOVE mature trees.
Western Massachusetts in October is basically showing off.
But trees around a property deserve a closer look.
How close are they to the house?
Are branches hanging over the roof?
Are the gutters packed with leaves?
Are there trees that appear damaged or unhealthy?
How much leaf cleanup will this property realistically require every fall?
That gorgeous tree lined yard may still absolutely be worth it.
I just want you to know what you're signing up for.
3. Now Is the Time to Pay Attention to the Heating System
In July, nobody cares what the boiler is doing.
In January?
You care A LOT.
When we're touring homes in fall, I want to know:
What type of heating system does the house have?
How old is it?
Is the home heated by natural gas, oil, propane, electric or another system?
Does the house have multiple heating sources?
Are there mini splits?
When was the system last serviced?
You do not need to become an HVAC technician.
That's what professionals are for.
But in Western Massachusetts, your heating system is not a minor detail.
4. Walk Through the House and Feel It
Seriously.
Does one room feel noticeably colder?
Do you feel drafts around windows or exterior doors?
Are there older windows?
Does an addition feel different from the original portion of the house?
Again, older windows do not automatically equal bad house.
Western and Central Massachusetts have plenty of older homes.
The goal isn't to find a house with absolutely nothing old in it.
The goal is to understand what you're buying.
5. Look Up
Fall is a great time to notice roof and gutter conditions.
Leaves can reveal areas where gutters aren't draining properly.
Rain may make staining easier to spot.
And as we get closer to winter, the roof becomes even more important because Massachusetts is eventually going to do what Massachusetts does.
Snow.
Ice.
More snow.
Then maybe 55 degrees for absolutely no reason.
Then snow again.
Welcome. 😂
Your home inspector will evaluate the roof more thoroughly, but I still want us paying attention during showings.
6. Think About That Driveway in February
This is one of my favorite relocation buyer conversations.
You walk up to a house in October and say:
"OMG. I LOVE this long private driveway."
And I'm over here thinking:
"Okay... who's plowing this?"
A steep or especially long driveway isn't necessarily a deal breaker.
Neither is a property with a lot of road frontage or a more rural setting.
But picture the property in February.
Where does the snow go?
Where will cars park during a storm?
Who handles plowing?
Will you want a snow blower?
These are not glamorous questions.
They are Massachusetts questions.
7. Fall Can Show You What Summer Landscaping Was Hiding
A lush summer yard can disguise quite a bit.
Once vegetation begins dying back, you may get a clearer look at:
Property boundaries.
Retaining walls.
Foundation areas.
Fences.
Neighboring properties.
Slopes.
Outbuildings.
Drainage.
Fall gives us a different perspective on the land itself.
8. Basements Matter in Western Massachusetts
If you move here from an area where basements aren't common, you're going to notice that we spend a LOT of time talking about them.
Basements can tell you quite a bit about a house.
We'll look for signs of moisture, foundation conditions, mechanical systems, electrical panels, plumbing, storage and any finished living areas.
And if something looks questionable?
That's exactly why we have home inspections.
Your job is not to diagnose the house.
Your job is to notice enough to know what questions we should be asking.
9. Fall Is Also a Great Time to Learn the Neighborhood
One thing I always tell relocation buyers:
Don't only look at the house.
Look around.
What does the neighborhood feel like after work?
How busy is the road?
What does your potential commute look like when school is actually in session?
How dark does the street get at night?
Where are the grocery stores, coffee shops, parks and businesses you'll actually use?
A house can check every box and still be in the wrong location for your life.
Location is the one thing we can't renovate later.
10. You May Be Seeing the House at Its Most Honest
This might be my favorite thing about fall house hunting.
October doesn't hide much.
The lawn isn't perfectly green.
The trees are dropping leaves.
The heating system is waking up.
We've had rain.
Days are shorter.
Winter is coming.
And if you still walk into that house and think:
"Yep. This is it."
That tells us something.
Buying in Westfield, Southwick, Agawam, Springfield & Beyond
Fall house hunting looks different depending on where you're searching.
A property in Southwick or Westhampton may come with more land, a private well or septic system.
A house in Westfield could be minutes from downtown or feel considerably more rural depending on where it sits.
Properties in Springfield, Chicopee or Holyoke may offer older housing stock and very different lot sizes.
And buyers considering Sturbridge, Charlton and Central Massachusetts may encounter another mix of septic systems, wells, acreage and older New England properties.
This is why I don't want relocation buyers evaluating homes based on bedrooms, bathrooms and pretty kitchens alone.
We're buying the whole property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October a good time to buy a house in Western Massachusetts?
It can be. Homes are listed and sold throughout the year in Western Massachusetts. Fall can also give buyers an opportunity to evaluate how a property functions during cooler temperatures, rain and falling leaves.
What should I look for when buying a Massachusetts home before winter?
Pay particular attention to the heating system, roof, gutters, drainage, windows, driveway, basement and surrounding trees. A professional home inspection should provide a much deeper evaluation once you're under contract.
Should I avoid buying an older home in Western MA?
Absolutely not. Western Massachusetts has beautiful older housing stock. Age alone does not determine whether a home is a good purchase. Condition, maintenance, major systems and your comfort level matter much more.
Do I need a home inspection?
I strongly believe buyers should understand what they're purchasing. Your inspection strategy will depend on the property, transaction and offer terms, but an experienced home inspector can provide valuable information about a home's condition and systems.
Thinking About Buying Before Winter?
You did not miss your chance because summer ended.
And you do not have to wait until spring just because that's when everyone talks about real estate.
If buying makes sense for your life right now, let's look.
We'll pay attention to the pretty kitchen.
Obviously.
But we're also going in the basement, looking at the heating system, talking about the driveway and figuring out what owning this house will actually feel like in February.
Because I don't just want you excited about your house on closing day.
I want you to understand what you're buying.
About Angie Schermerhorn
Angie Schermerhorn is a REALTOR® with the Stephanie Salerno Team at Coldwell Banker Realty, serving buyers and sellers throughout Western Massachusetts, Central Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.
Angie works extensively with first time homebuyers and relocation clients and believes buying a home should come with clear information, honest conversations and absolutely no pressure to make a house fit when it doesn't.
