Lenders and mortgage brokers tend to lighten up qualifications during the winter months. When applicants are plentiful, lenders tend to cast border line applicants aside for more qualified home buyers.

During the peak summer months, appraisers and home will likely be booked 5-10 days out. They can also charge more for their work because they have a steady amount of calls coming in. As the winter approaches, the workload lessens and the phone calls decrease. You can likely get the appraiser and inspector out to the property in one or two business days. Many will even work weekends if it is the difference between winning or losing the job.

So throw on your coat and start looking at those listings that are left over from the summer frenzy. Make as many offers as you can. Don't wait for the summer to come back in just to find yourself competing against all those other offers. Hubert Miles