[quote=bearishgurl][quote=hmc]Market condition (interest rate, job market and overall housing recovery/dip) far outweights seasonal things. Waiting is always a gamble… and odds are usually against you.[/quote]

Agree with this except for the fact that if a buyer has insufficient downpayment funds or is trying to pay off a debt to improve their ratios, then waiting is what they SHOULD DO while they get their “personal house” in order first – before attempting to purchase a “tangible house.”

One caveat is if the buyer’s credit and ratios and good to excellent, they are pre-approved for a mortgage and they have 15% down available (instead of 20%), they can make offers now on properties for which they would have a 20% downpayment for … that is, properties listed in a lesser-expensive price range. If they don’t wish to do that, then they need to save more $$ before making offers.[/quote]

If they don’t have $$ for downpayment, they are not ready for a house and they will not able to catch any opportunities anyways even if they recognize the opportunity… Too bad …