Winter real estate market trends have become synonymous with tempered expectations, and for good reason: it is cold outside. If for nothing else, home buying and selling activity has been known to cool off with the weather. It is not uncommon for frigid temperatures to prevent people from going outside in most parts of the country, let alone pursue whichever real estate endeavors they have in mind. That said, this may be the winter we see the housing industry depart from typical winter real estate market trends.

With the first day of winter no more than a few weeks away, there isn’t a better time to predict what today’s investors may be able to expect in the next few months. Those that can accurately anticipate the upcoming winter real estate market trends could find themselves with a significant advantage over the competition. If that sounds like something you could get behind, take a look at what many believe to be the three most likely winter real estate trends to unfold sooner rather than later.

3 WINTER REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS TO KEEP AN EYE ON

1. Expect Some Carry-Over

Industry professionals and pundits alike are convinced the upcoming winter months will stray from what we have come to expect at this time of the year. That’s not to say this winter will be busier than summer, or even fall, but rather that the next few months will be busier than they have been in the past.

I fully expect the winter real estate market to be relatively busy for one simple reason: carry-over. You see, supply has been unable to keep up with demand for the better part of 2017. As a result, there are more people actively participating in the housing market at this time of the year than normal. It is safe to assume prospective buyers that weren’t able to find a home over the summer and fall months are still looking. So before you close up for winter, be sure to account for the carry-over many are expecting this year; you may find this winter to be more lucrative than those in the past.