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While sales usually inch lower in the cooler months, some real estate analysts are saying this winter in particular may be a good time to sell a home. (AP Photo/File)

Five reasons why this winter is a good time to sell

January 23, 2013 @ 12:35 pm (Updated: 5:40 am - 1/24/13 )

Forget the myth that winter is a bad time to sell real estate. While sales usually inch lower in the cooler months, some real estate analysts are saying this winter in particular may be a good time to sell a home.

Here's why:

1. Mortgage rates remain near record-breaking lows.

2. Home prices are starting to rebound in many markets across the country. The National Association of Realtors reported that home prices in December were 11.5 percent higher than a year earlier.

3. Homes still remain a good deal. Prices are rising but remain mostly below 2007 highs, and in many areas, the cost of buying is cheaper than renting.

4. Inventories in many neighborhoods remain extremely low. The basic rule of supply and demand - when supply is down, many sellers are in command.

5. Household demographic changes: Many buyers once waited until the end of a school year before moving, but households are changing and moving schedules are less tied to school terms. That's because households with children are making up a smaller part of the buying mix. According to William Frey of the Brookings Institution, 80 percent of all households in the U.S. do not include children.

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Comments (4)


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  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    inventory in many neighborhoods remain low?
    January 24, 2013 5:15 am
    Not in my neighborhood!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    #1 reason house is in foreclosure
    January 24, 2013 5:18 am
    people getting screwed because the government and banks got greedy and inflated and crashed the housing market leaving homeowners with the burden of underwater homes and victims of predatory loans.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MJ78 wrote...
    accountability
    January 29, 2013 11:35 am
    Banks can't make loans without an individual first requesting it. People didn't get screwed because of government and banks, people got screwed because they wanted a piece of the action. I bought my 1st house in Feb '07. I am paying it off, but it will take me several years. The bank didn't come to me, I went to the bank. If the value of my home had gone up, I wouldn't have been screaming to give the increased value back to the bank, so why should I be able to stick them with the bill just because the value went down?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Boeingdan wrote...
    #1 reason house is in foreclosure
    January 31, 2013 8:24 am
    Predatory loans? What about irresponsible purchasing. Who in their right mind would sign an interest only loan? Nobody tied people up and force them to sign a contract at gun point. You shouldn't be purchasing a home if you don't have money to put down and make principal & Interest payments. That's what's wrong with this generation, everyone wants a handout. Entitlement society brought to you by Obama. Accountability 101.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }