There are criteria that may make certain times of year more favorable for buying a home, but the bottom line is a purchaser must be personally prepared for what likely may be the largest financial purchase of his or her life. There may be certain times of year when buying real estate in New York may be more advantageous. Although the summer is when many sellers list their homes, it might not be the best time to buy.

It’s all about the law of supply and demand. Prices increase when demand increases, and there is more demand during the warmer months. In fact, prices seem to be highest in June and July. In any case, before even thinking of buying a home, a person’s individual financial picture should look pretty healthy.

Using the 30 percent rule seems to be a prudent yardstick. Housing costs should be 30 percent or less of a person’s income for a comfortable financial fit. Exceeding that percentage may cause financial hardship, so potential home buyers may wish to wait until they find something more in their price range or until they’ve saved more of a down payment or until they get an increase in their wages.

There are so many things to consider before buying a home. These things include credit scores, how much closing costs will be, other debts and other financial goals. A New York lawyer may be able to help to answer pertinent questions both purchasers and sellers might have regarding the legalities of real estate transactions. It is better to ask questions regarding this huge financial commitment before signing any legally binding contracts.