Is there an on/off season when purchasing a home?

Hi Trina!!

Welcome to Texas (well, at the end of May 2017)! Here's the situation with the general Houston area... Houston is a very transient area due to the oil and gas industry and huge impact it has on our area, meaning that people come and go with relocation all year long. Now, as far as typical market trends for buying and selling are concerned for us locals, Spring into early Summer is traditionally the best time to list your home for sale (April-early July to list for May-August closings). The reasoning is that families are finishing up their school year and want to wait until school is out to move and/or buy a home before school starts back late August. Typically, the later you get into July, activity slows down a bit for people purchasing since families are finishing up vacation and getting to school. Things kick up again usually around labor day and lull a bit around the winter holidays, picking up again in January. I want to reiterate again, though, that Houston doesn't necessarily follow this pattern to a "T", because of the relocating happening throughout the year. Now obviously this means listing in peak times = more houses on the market = more competiti for Buyers to choose from and hence Buyers being more picky about the home they choose. There have been years with low inventory of homes for sale and it is a fight for the ones available. As a Buyer, the more properties available means you have more to choose from. My personal opinion - you'll be good to buy no matter what time of year, just whenever you are ready. As an aside, the 3-6 month rental piece is going to be your challenge (although understandable considering you want to get used to the area before committing to a property), but I can explain how all of that works with syncing with the purchase if you want to call or shoot me a text or email (HAR is cutting me off from writing anyone). :) Hope this helps! Darby Grimmett / KW / darby@darbygrimmett.com / 936-827-9217

Hi Trina, I agree with Karen, it really isn't an "on or off season", however you will find more buyers during the spring and summer. If they have kids, moving while school is out makes it alot easier and if their going into a new school district they can get them settled in before school starts. Hope this helps.

In my opinion there isn't really an on or off season - people tend to sell and buy homes year round. I have helped clients close on homes in Spring, Summer, Fall and a week before Christmas. That said, there is often more inventory of homes starting in the early Spring through summer as home buyers and sellers want to be settled before the school year starts....this also means more buyers you will be competing with. Sometimes sellers will also pull their homes from the market during Thanksgiving and Christmas to avoid added stress. I've attached a link to an article that also discusses pros and cons of when to buy on a national level.

I would recommend connecting with a Realtor now, or after the first of year to begin your home search online. This and conversations with your Realtor, will hopefully help you gauge how long to be in your rental prior to your move and help you make a good decision. Welcome to Texas!