You’ve probably heard that spring and summer are the best times to buy a new home.

It’s true that those seasons tend to be the hottest for the housing market, with people wanting to sell or buy before fall starts. But fall is still a wonderful time to find your next property, especially if you’re looking for one by the water. Here are just a few reasons why fall is a good time to purchase a waterfront property.

There’s plenty of properties to choose from with less competition

One of the best perks of having a waterfront property is spending time by the water on a warm summer’s day, which is why many homebuyers want to begin their search in the spring. However, current homeowners who are looking to sell might want one last summer by the water. This means that once the weather starts to cool off, it’s time to list. In fact, for lakefront properties alone, 39 percent of sales take place between September and December. With many homeowners waiting until the end of summer to sell, you’ll often have your choice of properties to choose from but with less competition since some homebuyers will wait until spring to start looking at homes.

You can see the property in the off season

You might assume that summer is considered primetime for shopping by the waterfront since the house and the property tend to look their best. But what about in the off season? While the leaves could start falling and the grass might turn brown, it’s a good idea to see your options outside of peak season. When you shop in the fall, you can get an idea of what the house looks like throughout the year, which in turn can help you make a better, more informed decision about which one is right for you. Owning a waterfront home is a full-time, year-round investment, so you want to have a clear idea of what you’re in for.

There’s more time to get it ready for summer

As a last bonus for waiting until the fall to buy a waterfront property, you’ll have plenty of time to get the house ready before summer rolls around. You can do any renovations that you want without having to worry about missing out on beautiful days spent by the water. When you do buy in the off season, you can take your time making your new house into a home before peak season.

Owning a waterfront property can be a wonderful investment for you and your loved ones, so take the time this fall to find the right property for you.