When we talk about the spring market in real estate, we are not necessarily referring to that time of year when the first buds appear on the trees and the first flowers are peeping through the hardened ground. Spring, in the real estate universe, can start as early as late January. In truth, a lot depends upon the weather. If we have a foot of snow every other week in January, we are less likely to see an early start to the “spring” market. However, if the new year starts off mildly, then the buyers can be out in full force and the sellers can be lining up to list their homes.

The early spring (a.k.a winter) months can actually be a great time of year to buy or sell a home. Because this is not the traditional timing for the most active buying and selling, there are opportunities for both the buyer and the seller.

We often advise our sellers to list their home when there is less competition for them – that is, fewer homes that are for sale and competing for buyers’ attention. And the same is true for buyers. Why not start your search when there are fewer buyers competing with you for the same homes? The truth is that a little extra breathing room in the market in the winter months, which can often lead to calmer negotiations, smoother transactions and happier customers all around.