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Combined with the shorter days as well as the sometimes inhospitable wintertime weather, fewer real estate consumers are interested in buying and selling homes. Their numbers fall even further by discouraging those who might have been interested under other circumstances. However, there are still some homeowners who will be selling their homes in this season in spite of the unfavorable circumstances. With some searching, home buyers might be able to stumble upon some interesting opportunities.

According to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgages have risen in nine out of the last ten weeks, with the result that it is now 4.16 percent. While potential home buyers should not let this fact exert too much influence over their decision-making for the time being, it is important to note that many analysts forecast that mortgage rates will rise even higher in 2017. So locking in at the current rate could be a good idea.

The cool, comfortable temperatures of fall are hospitable for real estate consumers; it's a season that does not have the distractions of summertime fun, vacations, etc. The changing colors of the leaves can create a scene that is just as picturesque as the earliest blossoms of spring, creating a short period of time when home sellers can maximize curb appeal. In fact, since the competition for residential real estate will resume, home sellers should make every effort to obtain a critical edge over their competitors.

Retirement is something that comes with a host of changes, so it should come as no surprise to learn that soon-to-be retirees often start preparing beforehand. For example, some people are choosing to downsize when it comes to their housing situation, meaning that they are selling their current homes and moving into something smaller. This choice can make their transition into their new lives that much easier.

The official start of fall is September 22, just over a month away. Since fall is a popular time to sell a home, interested homeowners should start preparing their homes as soon as possible. Indeed, just after Labor Day is when the "fall selling season" begins. Homeowners should note that they might find it more complicated and time-consuming to get ready than what they had expected.

On June 23 of 2016, the British voted on whether Britain should leave the European Union or not, which resulted in 48.1 percent voting for "Remain" and 51.9 percent voting for "Leave." This resulted in an immediate economic convulsion not just for Britain, which suffered a fall in the value of the British pound, but also for other countries, which experienced a roller coaster in their respective stock markets. What's more, it should come as no surprise to learn that what has been called "Brexit" can have other economic consequences as well, one example being its potential impact on U.S. real estate markets.