David Kent

When most people purchase a home, they do it for their convenience and the convenience of their family, especially if they have school-age children. If you purchase a house in the right season, it will make a big difference in the price that you pay for your house.

The sale and price of a house is lower at the beginning and the end of the year. Sales increase in the spring, peak in June or July and starts declining in the fall. The price decrease or increase is often determined by the weather, the holidays and school schedules. Parents with school age children try not to move during school months unless it is absolutely necessary. If a move takes place during inconvenience times, it sometimes happens because they had to move because of a job transfer, a divorce or some other problem that can't be helped.

Not many people want to move during the holidays because there's too much activities going on plus moving when there's bad weather isn't much fun. This is probably why most people tend to move during the summer when it's their vacation time.

The size of the housing inventory is often limited during off peak season, since sellers are also busy and it's hard to keep your house show ready during the busy holiday season. If you are flexible about timing, it can really work to the buyer's advantage to buy during the winter months Shopping out of season can sometimes gets you a better price on the property that you normally wouldn't be able to afford.

And don't just take my word for it... I recently came across this article on MSN too that talks about winter time buying advantages!

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=26601873&GT1=35006

December buying advice: A new home for the holidays?

Even if the weather is bleak, your home buying prospects may not be. Here are some of the reasons it might be a good time to buy, as well as the best and worst markets for the coming year.

By Melinda Fulmer of MSN Real Estate

Termites are definitely a danger in the Lowcountry of SC to homeowners and something that they should be aware of. According to an interview with Bert Snyder of Palmetto Exterminators "You're more likely to have termite damage to your structure than you are to have damage from hurricanes, cires, or storms of some sort."

Here are some important points to know:

• Two major types of subterranean termites are found in SC
• Formosan termites are considered the worst as their colonies can easily be in the millions
• Formosan termites are the dominate species of termite in the tri-county area
• Formosan termites aren't always covered in your termite bond so check it out!
• Swarming dates when colonies move in the Lowcountry runs from Mother's Day to Father's day
• Many times people will find tiny homes in teh wall where termites are coming out

Here are some tips to avoid a termite invasion at your home: