The best time to buy real estate is when you need it.

It's not. Winter is the best time, usually has the best deals before spring price increases.

What you talkin' bout Willis?  Depends on individual circumstances.

It may or may not be.  It depends.  Always and on the circumstances. 

Any time is a good time to buy real estate... who said spring was the best time. I'm often busiests in late fall, winter and summer.

It's always a good time to buy real estate. Ask me why & I will tell you. 

For this spring, the best reason is to take advantage of the attractive mortgage interest rates.

sez who?

Maybe for sellers who have a bigger pool of buyers...

But for buyers the best deals are in the fall...

Eve

Answer depends on goal.
We tell investors to wait till dead of winter out here along the River. The Ratz are gone after Labor Day, snowbirds are looking for rentals, sellers want properties off the books before EOY.
Sellers wanting top dollar, advise marketing to commence right after Super Bowl Sunday. By then, W2s are in, some have already filed and or anticipate tax refunds, Xmas bills paid, buyers come in especially from CA w disposable income. Sweet spot for residential is March April May. If you're selling. Vacationers want to be in their house Memorial or 4th of July at the latest.
Buying, November December January.
Our kids go back to school in August so local families are home buying before then or not till next summer.
YMMV, but most areas have 'rhythms'.

Don,

I  agree with Alan May 

Because so many people believe it is.  

It depends on the area - the market - the climate. 

We sell all year round here.  We are not buried in 6 feet of snow. 

Any time is the best for those who are motivated and ready:) 

       Families who want to move to their desired school zones for next fall.

Hopefully, the snow is GONE!

It's always a good time to buy.

'Best' is a subjective term -

there is NO BEST TIME to buy real estate.... every day is a good day to buy and/or sell real estate....

I don't know that it is but it seems to be when people get itchy to think about it. Everything is getting brighter and coming up and people decide it's a great time to look for a new place. 

The best time is when the buyer is ready, willing, and able.

Generally the inventory is higher for the so-called "spring market", when sellers come out to sell.

It's ALWAYS a great time to buy real estate! Are you looking to buy in the Charlotte area?! LOL

It's not.

Kids are getting out of school, and will be out by closing. Also in ND it's best to move in July... it's the only month of the year that snow has not ever been recorded in modern history Don Burns .

I think anytime is the best time to transact real estate.

Anytime can be good depending on the buyer.

Alan May summed it up well!

I woudn't necessarily say spring is the best time; however, there is usually the most inventory in the spring.

Any time of the year is best to purchase real estate. . .  personally I choose to purchase in the fall/winter because the prices have leveled if not dipped and also the interest rates tend to be lower around December & January. . . .

The birds and the bees, Nature & many people think it the best time too

That's what consumers always think but it is not true.  It is best to beat the Spring Market when prices have not yet increased... People tend to move in Spring with a summer closing so the children don't have to change schools mid term.

Alan May nailed this one!

Is it?

The best time is ... now.

I'm not convinced it is...  Define best.  ;0

Depends

I could go along with a lot of the others rah rah answers but I think it is based on the old fact that families with children liked to buy in Spring, close and move by summer.  Then the kids could enter their new schools in the Autumn and not have to be ripped out of one in the middle of the school year.

Tradition 

Don Burns - because everything 'springs'!

I have no idea except I watch my sales soar..

I don't agree it is the best time. It is equal to all other times of the year.

Who says it is?

My opinion fall is the best time buy real estate. But when you need it, this is the perfect time for home buy.

If buyers are looking for deals, December is Denver is best.

With the current severe shortage of inventory, there is no best season to buy. The sooner, the better because waiting means paying more later.

Depends on which side you are on.