is there a certain time of year that is best to buy a home?

Answer 1

Other factors being equal, buy at Christmas. Nobody wants to move or buy a house then. Most of the pros take their vacations then. Sellers are more desperate.

Answer 2

Homes have a certain "curb appeal" dependent entirely on certain times of the year. If you live in snow country, you're not going to get a good idea of how insulated a home is if you're shopping in July. Same goes, if the home faces East or West, and you're shopping during the rainy season.
Many families try to coordinate their moves around the school year, thus more homes get listed after January. More choices :) The flip side of that is realtors are busier and may not be available to you as you need them to.
Use the internet and read up on buying a home. I recommend Robert Irwin, both selling and buying. And remember, everything is negotiable.

Answer 3

Honestly right now you can pretty much get a stellar deal on any home. Normally around the holidays is a great time. Alot of people dont purchase then because it is so hetic, so a seller is more likely to consider a lower offer because their home may have been on the market for awhile. The slow season is generally from Nov.-Feb, so these are great times to make low offers with a better rate of success. I am a dual licensed agent in NC and FL, email me with any questions.

Answer 4

Wait until interest rates are really low... if they are really low, that means no one is buying anything, at least not through the banks. As for a time of year, spring is the best.

Answer 5

this article gives you great tips on buying real estate

Answer 6

In the dead of winter when buyers are more scarce.