Do people sell their homes year round?

A friend of mine just told me there isn't much activitiy over the fall & winter. Does anyone know if this is true?

Thanks.

Karen

Thanks Leslie, I feel better after reading your message.

We're going to start looking for a home in the winter so I was also concerned about this. I was thinking that maybe we could get a bit of a deal if not too many people are looking to buy in the winter (who wants to move then?) But for those that don't have a choice and have to move they may want to get rid of it pretty quickly. I feel like I babbled alot I hope made some sense!

An article from AOL:

Buying or selling a home? Off-season can be prime time
By Teri Cettina • Bankrate.com



If you're buying or selling a home and the end of the spring-summer real estate season is stressing you out, relax.

Even though real estate sales do fall off at the end of warm weather, there's still plenty of buying and selling coming this fall and winter.

Remember, sales volume is not your problem. The only house you care about is the one you're selling or hoping to buy.

Terry Hankner, a real estate agent with Comey & Shepherd in Cincinnati, Ohio, confirms the real estate business definitely buzzes in the fall and winter, and adds, 'Real estate isn't nearly as seasonal as it used to be. If a house is priced and marketed appropriately, no matter what time of year it is, there will be a buyer for it.'

What's more, many home buyers and sellers are bucking the seasonal nature of residential real estate. They're finding that buying or selling houses in the fall and winter months has many advantages -- not the least of which are the gorgeous fall leaf colors and holiday decorations that showcase many homes to their fullest potential.

The fall season is unquestionably the busiest time of year for **** Dils. As a country broker based in Shelburne Falls, Mass., near the Vermont border, he sells many large homes with lots of property. Dils finds that the latter part of the year is the best time for potential buyers to understand the lay of the land and see a home's structure without the distraction of summer shrubbery. Plus, 'New England is at its splendiferous best in the autumn,' he says.

'Our area gets a lot of visitors in the fall -- people coming to enjoy the fall colors, attend a school homecoming celebration, attend outdoor athletic events, or visit one of our many country fairs or harvest celebrations,' says Dils. 'As a result, it's a great time for them to consider looking at homes for sale in the area.'

In fact, Hankner believes, seeing a home all decked out for the winter holidays can be an emotional trigger for many buyers. 'I bought my own house in the summer, but I was actually imagining it with a Christmas tree beneath its cathedral ceilings,' she says. 'The holidays are a great time of year to find a new home.'

No matter which side of the transaction you're on, you can make the off-season work to your advantage. Here's why:

Sellers

Buyers are motivated. Many off-season buyers are more serious than some among the horde who descend like locusts on open houses in the spring. After all, there's a reason they didn't buy during the peak season. Perhaps they didn't have enough for a down payment or couldn't get financed. The fact that they've entered the market in a downtime might be very meaningful.
There is a second season. While sales definitely fall off in the early fall, they usually escalate again in October in many parts of the country.
Cyber sales. The expansion of the Internet and the numbers of people who use it have added a significant off-season dimension to real estate sales. Potential buyers can now find properties for sale in the comfort of their home through a vast array of Web sites. Virtual tours can take them into homes and they can preview neighborhoods, schools and city information before venturing out.
Ready to find a mortgage? Check rates in your area.


Hindsight. When you put up a home for sale in the fall or winter, you have the advantage of hindsight: You and your agent can review which homes sold quickly in your area during the warm-weather 'peak season.' This gives you the chance to adjust your price and terms accordingly and to make your home more marketable.
Buyers

There's less competition. How many times did that darling house you had your eye on in May get bought out from under you while you and your spouse talked over making an offer the very next day?
Sellers are often pressured. Motivation is critical in any real estate situation. Find out how long the house has been on the market. If it's been hanging around awhile, there's a good chance the seller is getting antsy. Sellers frequently drop their price -- especially as Christmas draws near -- giving buyers lower down payments and closing costs. If it went on the market after the peak season ended, the seller may have a pressing reason to sell, such as a job transfer, financial problems, divorce or illness to name just a few.
Tax considerations. When you buy a new home before the end of the year, you'll be able to report items such as mortgage interest, points, closing costs, property taxes and more on your tax return.
Interest rates. If you're ready to buy, waiting until next spring can spell disaster. Many experts think we've seen the end of record-low interest rates and that mortgage rates will only go up from here.
Beating price hikes. As high as the prices may seem to you now, chances are they'll only be higher when a new real estate season starts in March.

Dils and Hankner offer these other cool-weather tips for fall/winter buyers and sellers:

Sellers:

Make sure your home is priced right. Many real estate professionals think price, price, price is just as important as location, location, location.
Take advantage of the lack of competition and work with your real estate agent to make sure your home makes a great first impression.
Go the extra mile to make sure exterior landscapes are well maintained. Gardens tend to look a bit bare in the cooler months. Brighten up bare garden spots with seasonal plants. Rake leaves, prune back spent plants and shrubs and keep sidewalks and driveways clear of snow or ice.
Check your heating system as part of your pre-sale inspection. Does it make strange noises, emit odd smells or simply not work very well? If you can't afford to make repairs in advance, get written bids and share them with potential buyers. It takes away a lot of 'unknowns' about potential expenses.
Repair or reinstall storm windows, if you have them. A warm house is a definite asset during the fall and winter.
Don't skimp on holiday decorations. Autumn wreaths and holiday lights make homes look great at this time of year.
Bring in the light. Wash all windows, open drapes or blinds, and turn on lamps. Buyers are attracted to light-filled homes during the darker months.
Keep small valuables out of sight, but don't fret too much about holiday packages disappearing from under a Christmas tree. Agents keep a close eye on prospective buyers who tour homes. Their reputation hinges on keeping your home safe.

Buyers:

Keep in mind that days run shorter during the fall and winter. Plan on allowing more time to tour homes during the day and on weekends, rather than in the evenings after work.
Take time to visit the local schools, once you find a home you like. It's much easier to get a sense of the schools and talk to administrators and teachers while school is in session.
Watch for signs of basement water damage or foundation drainage problems. Some areas have basement flooding in the spring, so you won't see actual water in the basement in fall or winter, but you'll see the effects of damage, such as discolorations on ceilings, walls or flooring.
Ready to find a mortgage? Check rates in your area.


Keep an eye out for good deals, especially if you're looking at houses in popular warm-weather spots, such as the coast. Some buyers forget that it's easier to get a good look at a house, and feel less pressured to make a quick decision, during the off-season.

Thanks for the info.