Best Time to Buy? Best Time to Sell?

When is the best time to buy? When is the best time to sell? I get asked these questions constantly everywhere I go. In short, the answer is that it depends on your individual circumstances. Each person has a unique personal buying or selling situation, whether starting a new job, facing rent increases, retirement, etc.

However there are certain seasonal trends that govern the real estate market. Traditionally, Spring is the busiest time in the housing market. This past Spring we experienced a very strong seller's market with extremely low inventory and a bevy of buyers competing for those homes. Now, throughout the Summer, the inventory of available homes has steadily increased, providing more choice for buyers. The outlook for the upcoming Fall and Winter seasons remains strong. More properties on the market means that buyers have less competition for the same homes and may be able to get a better deal. In the late Fall and Winter, when inventories generally drop, homeowners who do decide to sell are more likely to capture the active buyers.

But the real answer to the question of timing is whatever makes the most sense for you financially. Homes are bought and sold every single day of the year, including weekends and holidays, so timing may be important but not necessarily crucial. What really matters and the question you should ask yourself is "Do I need to buy now?" or "Do I need to sell now?"

Brian Block is a Realtor with Re/Max Allegiance in Alexandria, Virginia. He is also a real estate attorney. He can be contacted at 703-626-0715. If you or anyone you know has real estate questions or is looking to buy or sell real estate in the Northern Virginia and Metropolitan D.C. area, contact Brian Block. For more information and to start your home search, visit his website at http://www.brianblock.com

---

Home Equity Loans ? Beware of Appraisal Fraud

A new report by the independent Demos group has revealed... Read More

Title Insurance ? Examples of Problems and Advice

What is title insurance and why should any buyer get... Read More

Selling by Owner = Saving by Owner?

According to the National Association of Realtors, For Sale By... Read More

Golf and Waterfront Living: Live, Play, Relax

With today's planned lifestyle communities, golf and boating enthusiasts have... Read More

Working With Your Real Estate Attorney

Purchasing or selling a home will probably be one of... Read More

Finding, Fixing, Financing, and Flipping - The Short Course

Most people get involved in Real Estate investing to make... Read More

Should You Buy a House or a Condo?

A big debate these days is whether or not to... Read More

What is Tax-Deferred Exchange?

Under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, owners of... Read More

10 Frequently Asked Short Sale Questions

1. What happens to the seller's credit rating when they... Read More

Buying a Home with Zero Down Payment in Irvine, CA

Years ago, the only person that could buy a home... Read More

How to Make a Buyer Fall in Love with Your Home

If you are thinking of selling your home, there are... Read More

Secrets of Making Money from Real Estate - Part 2

Leverage: With real estate, people and companies will lend you... Read More

Real Estate Investing - Books,TV Infomercials, and Seminars

Real estate investing has become popularized today because of real... Read More

Staging® Your Home for Sale: a Superior Real Estate Home Marketing Technique: Part 1

Every Realtor KNOWS that a home should be shown in... Read More

Hurricane Katrina And The Impact On Real Estate Prices

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's wide path of destruction,... Read More

For Sale By Owner Listings

Selling your home on your own, without a Realtor, is... Read More

How to Sell Your Own Home and Save Thousands of Dollars

Most people take the easy way out when selling their... Read More

If Your House Is a Mess, You Dont Have To Sell For Less

Don't be tempted by "We Buy Houses" or "Sell Your... Read More

Is An Old Home for You? ? The Cons

So you think you might like to buy an old... Read More

A Powerful Suggested Technique for YOUR Home & Property Search

A Powerful Suggested Technique for YOUR Home & Property Search... Read More

Curb Appeal

First impressions do make a difference when selling your home.... Read More

Searching the Hawaii Property Listings

Maui is an island so full of life and vivacity... Read More

How to Build A Rental Property Money Machine

If you are looking for a steady, income-producing investment that... Read More

Real Estate Business

Starting real estate business is not that simple. Multiple aspects... Read More

How To Increase Your Homes Selling Price by $3,306.75 In The Next 33 Days

According to the Federal Housing Finance Board:... "As of October... Read More

6 REASONS for Investing in Florida Real Estate Investment Property NOW

I invite you to take the next few minutes to... Read More

Rehab Your Way to Wealth: The Quick Way to Fixer-Upper Success

Completely rebuilding a house is not necessary to make money... Read More

Get Rich With Mobile Homes

Does the myth that mobile homes depreciate in value keep... Read More

Raising Money For Property Development

In addition to finding the right property, one of the... Read More

Maltas Market Battle

With new destinations such as Bulgaria, Slovenia and Croatia offering... Read More

How Do I Bring Consulting Into My Lease Purchase Business

As you are making your cold calls on property, you... Read More

Cheap Homes For Sale In Great Towns

Good Homes Under $50,000? My wife Ana and... Read More

How to Choose the Proper Entity for Your Business

First, let me state that I'm not an attorney and... Read More