Spring Offers the Best Selection of Homes

People often mistakenly believe that summer is the best time to look for a home and that it offers the most inventory from which to choose. But according to the National Association of Realtors, July is typically the slowest month of the year for real-estate sales, and early spring is when the most homes are sold.

We Realtors know that this is true; serious buyers and sellers often think about  their decision for awhile and then enter the market about this time of year. Sellers want to list their homes during "prime time" and think they will show best in nice weather, when their gardens are blooming and green. Families with school-age children also often like to make sure they move over the summer vacation and so start looking in spring.

And of course, people also typically vacation in the summer. Agents often encounter a stale inventory of homes for buyers in mid- to late-summer. In recent years, the addition of distressed properties to the inventory has padded the list of homes for buyers throughout the year. However, if you're hoping to find the best selection, look in the prime springtime market.

Here are a few interesting listings that have come on the market recently in Concord and Clayton:

4554 Lincoln Drive, Concord

3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths

$339,000

This new listing in Bishop Estates off Concord Blvd. is a perfect example of how much value homebuyers can get these days. These colonial-inspired houses give this popular neighborhood a lot of charm and create great streetscapes. This home has 1,749 square feet and an 8,000-square-foot lot. Inside, there are hardwood floors, updated bathrooms, crown molding throughout, newer dual-pane windows and new designer tile in the foyer. In the back yard, there's a storage shed with electricity. Bishop Estates also features a nice pool with optional membership.

127 Roslyn Drive, Concord

2 bedrooms, 2 baths,

$209,100

What a cute, cute house, and in a better neighborhood than buyers typically will find in this price range. Built in 1947, it has an ample 7,875-square-foot lot and is in El Monte Estates off Clayton Road. At 1,315 square feet, it has a den, an extra room for flex space (home office, additional bedroom) and an open floorplan. The carpet has hardwood floors underneath waiting to be brought back to life. It's also close to shopping and a community park. The only downside—no garage, but for this price and area, I still think it's a good one.

44 Rialto Drive, Clayton

4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths

$449,000

If you've ever dreamed of going to Ireland to see those incredible bucolic views of green rolling hills and misty covered mountains, check out this new listing in Dana Hills. Realtors overuse adjectives to describe views, so none will do these justice—just check out the pics. Inside, the home needs some udpating and TLC, but its premium 10,640-square-foot lot abutting Mount Diablo State Park is truly special  and a setting that rarely comes on the market. The floorplan flows well and has 2,324 square feet with one bedroom downstairs. The roof is good, according to the seller, and the back yard also has an inviting "black bottom" pool.

328 Mount Washington Way, Clayton

4 bedrooms, 2 baths

$539,000

This home epitomizes "curb appeal" with its sprawling ranch-style exterior and great location in Dana Hills. Its 2,010-square-foot floorplan sits on a big quarter-acre flat lot. It has a beautiful back yard with a spa, covered patio, plush lawn and mature plants. Inside, there's a welcoming living room with a fireplace and built-in bookcases, plus a formal dining room. There's also a nice-sized kitchen opening into a family room with an entertainment center. Dana Hills is a very popular neighborhood in Clayton. It features a cabana club and pool, rolling greenbelts and access to Mount Diablo State Park. It's also walking distance to downtown Clayton with its historic charm, restaurants, new park and gazebo, and good schools.