The sale of real estate in winter months is always controlled by the weather. For example, in 2012 we had an open, balmy winter. Lake home sales finished 66% higher because buyers were buying all winter. In 2013 and 2014, our winter was brutal and the winter sales showed it. Now in 2015 our weather has been conducive for buyers to look at lake homes and the sales are up 25% as a result. That has affected the inventory of homes for sale, meaning it is a good time to sell because there are less homes for buyers to choose from.  Watch the weather because as it warms up, so do sales.

My advice for buyers and sellers entering the market....use a professional full time real estate agent that knows not only the past comparables but one who knows the present

The sales of lake homes in 2015 are up 76% over 2014 for the first six months and are already at 50% of 2014 total sales, according to multiple listing services statistics. The biggest increase is in the $150,000 to $250,000 price range and $250,000 to $350,000 range.

One of the reasons for the increase in sales is the continued good availability of lake homes for sale which is at a 17.3 month supply. That gives buyers more options to purchase the home they desire. In plain words, buyers don't have to wait for the "perfect home" to come on the market. It is a good time to sell because of the number of buyers on the market and a good time to buy due to the selection availability.

My advice for buyers and sellers entering the market....use a

The sales of lake homes in 2015 are up 89% over 2014 and are already at 40% of 2014 total sales, according to multiple listing services statistics.  The biggest increase is in the $150,000 to $200,000 price range and $250,000 to $350,000 range.

One of the reasons for the increase in sales is the good availability of lake homes for sale which is at a 16.4 month supply.  That gives buyers more options to purchase the home they desire. In plain words, buyers don't have to wait for the "perfect home" to come on the market.  It is a good time to sell because of the number of buyers in the market and a good time to buy due to the selection availability.

My adive for buyers and sellers entering the market......use a professional full time real estate agent

The Otter Tail County real estate market is heating up!  Newly listed property is selling in a matter of days which shows that there is a lack of homes for sale.  In fact, in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range, there is only a 3 month supply.  Lake lot sales were up 90% in 2014 which indicates consumer confidence.  People purchase lake lots with the intent of building a home in the future and those sales have been very slow previous to 2014.  There is also a lack of inventory of lake homes in the $250,000 to $400,000 range as well.  It is, therefore, a very good time to sell.

My advice for buyers and sellers entering the market..........use a professional full time real estate agent that knows not only the past comparables but one who knows the

Otter Tail County Real Estate sales rose 3% in 2014, although the average for Minnesota was down 6%.  That speaks highly of where we live and work and matches Boating Magazine's top rating of Otter Tail County as being the best county to live in and go boating.  To add to the good news, prices are up, climbing 3.3% on the median sale price.  The average time on the market to sell decreased 8% to 152 days.  When combined with record low interest rates, it is a good time to enter the real estate market whether buying or selling.

My advise for buyers and sellers entering the market....use a professional full time real estate agent that knows not only the past comparables but one who knows the present ones and the trends.

Sellers always ask "is winter a good time to list our home for sale?".  The answer is yes!, for several reasons.  For example, 20% of the lakehomes that sold in 2014 sold last winter.  The reasons:  1.  They were listed for sale;  2.  Real Estate sells year round.  If your home is not for sale, it won't sell but one that is for sale will sell in place of it.  There are many reasons that cause people to buy and winter weather probably will not prevent a buyer from purchasing.  It is a very good time to put a home up for sale as the avalability is very tight right now and sales for the year in our Multiple Listing Service are up about 7%.  In addition, with so few for sale, sellers have the advantage of dealing with a captive audience.

The statistics are

Over 30% of sales of Otter Tail County homes occur in the last 3 months of the year.  That defies regular logic but it is a fact.  As of now, it appears that real estate sales in Otter Tail County will set another record in 2014 as sales are up 7% this year over last year, compared to all Minnesota sales being down 6% so far.  It is not all that surprising as Otter Tail County was voted one of the top 10 counties in the US to live and go boating by Boating Magazine this summer.  Inventory of homes available to purchase is very low as well.  As an example, the availability of homes in Fergus Falls is down to about a 6 month supply, compared to a 7 month supply last year.  The National Association of Realtors say a 6 month supply is “in balance”.  The

Over 50% of sales of Otter Tail County homes occur in the last 5 months of the year.  That defies regular logic but it is a fact.  For lake homes, it is  higher at 62%.  As of now, it appears that real estate sales in Otter Tail County will set another record in 2014 as sales are up 20% this year over lastyear.  Inventory of homes available to purchase is very low as well.  As an example, the availability of homes in Fergus Falls is down to about a 3 month supply.  The National Association of Realtors say a 6 month supply is “in balance”.  The result is that right now is the best time to list and sell your real estate.  It is also a good time to purchase as this tight market will cause an increase in purchase prices. My advice for buyers and sellers

Sales of residential homes are up 21% in Otter Tail County in 2014.  Average sale prices are up 6% and homes are selling 7% faster this year as well.  Weather affects sales but during this year's cold spring, sales are up over 2013's cold spring.

A key factor that affects real estate sales in the quantity of homes for sale which in Otter Tail County is currently down 10% from 2013 to a 10 month supply.  That factor generally leads to a seller's market which can lead to higher prices.  To avoid that, buyers should purchase now and sellers should get their property listed for sale now while demand is strong.

My advice for buyers and sellers entering the market.......use a professional full time real estate agent that knows not only the past

Otter Tail County real estate sales are up this year 17% over 2013. Weather affects sales but during this year's cold, snowy and windy winter, sales are up over 2013's cold snowy and windy winter. Housing sales are about the same so the increases came in multifamily, farms, land and commercial sales.

A key factor that affects real estate sales is the quantitiy of homes for sale which in Otter Tail County is currently down 20.6% from 2013 to a 7.7 month supply. That factor generally leads to a seller's market which can lead to higher sale prices.

To avoid those higher prices that are likely coming, buyers should purchase now. Sellers should get their property listed for sale now while demand is strong and upward price pressure seems imminent due to