The April 5 deadline for using this year’s Stocks and Shares ISA limit is speedy approaching. It’s been just over three weeks.

For investors with free funds, using the amount of £20,000 is usually obvious. Every penny invested is free from capital gains tax, dividend tax and income tax for life. However, many people are understandably feeling nervous right now. Who wants to put money in the stock market while drones and missiles are shaking the Middle East?

Please note that tax treatment depends on each client’s individual situation and may change in the future. The content of this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and does not constitute any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for conducting their own due diligence and obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions.

It certainly requires sturdy nerves, but the compromise is simple. Most ISA platforms allow investors to employ their allowance without having to invest immediately. They can simply leave the money in cash in the trading account of the ISA platform and wait for calmer conditions before buying shares.

It’s time to start investing

This is a useful option for anyone who doesn’t want to enter the market right now. On A motley foolhowever, we have a different view. Typically, a market decline is a good time for us to buy stocks because valuations are usually lower and dividend yields are higher. Waiting for volatility to subside could easily backfire because by the time the outlook improves, many stocks have already rebounded.

So yes, it’s a good time, but there are risks. If the conflict in Iran does not end soon, the company’s shares may fall further. Nobody knows what will happen. So my strategy is elementary. First, employ your ISA allowance before the deadline. Second, start gradually adding money to stocks, taking advantage of market declines. However, keep some cash in reserve in case prices drop further.

Investors also need a reality check. It is almost impossible to determine the exact bottom of the market. Perfection simply cannot be achieved.

One more thing. We believe that investors should only buy shares with the intention of holding them for at least five years. This allows them to shake off short-term shocks and augment dividends and share prices. Markets experience constant volatility, but history shows that when the outlook becomes clearer, they recover.

Is Barratt Redrow a bargain?

The bigger question is which stocks to buy. FTSE100-listed easyJet, Persimmon, DiageoAND Hikma pharmaceutical company all are down more than 20% in the last month. Home builder Barratt Redrow (LSE: BTRW) fell 27%.

The war did not improve the mood, but the construction industry was already struggling. Housebuilders have faced setbacks over the years, including Brexit, the pandemic, rising inflation and mortgage rates and the withdrawal of the Help to Buy scheme. Investors were hoping for relief this year amid falling inflation. Recent geopolitical turmoil calls into question.

Ironically, this is what makes Barratt Redrow look compelling. The stock is currently trading at an enticing price-to-earnings ratio of around 11, while its dividend yield has grown above 6%.

This is not without risk. If oil prices remain high, the British economy could fall into recession. Mortgage rates are already rising rapidly, making buyers more cautious. Drip-feeding money into the market can assist spread risk and I believe this should be considered. Lots of others FTSE100 the stock looks tempting, but as always, it’s a good idea to buy with the long term in mind.