When is the start of spring this year? It depends on who you ask! Spring starts March 1 and runs through May 31 for meteorologists who analyze the seasons by dividing the year in quarters.
According to The Farmer’s Almanac, “The meteorological seasons are based on annual temperature cycles rather than on the position of Earth in relation to the Sun, and they more closely follow the Gregorian calendar. Using the dates of the astronomical equinoxes and solstices for the seasons would present a statistical problem, as these dates can vary slightly each year.”
For Realtors in Northeast Florida, our traditional “busy season” kicks off as two happenings occur: The Players Championship, which this year is the week of March 7, and the March (also known as the Spring or Vernal) Equinox, which for 2021 is Saturday, March 20 at 5:37 a.m. Starting in March, when we in the Northern Hemisphere begin to enjoy more sunlight and longer days as our part of the globe is tilted more toward the sun, we Realtors often have longer days as well! Prospective buyers will schedule seeing homes they are interested in after their work days end, so if sellers can accommodate, some days I will be out until dusk. With summer solstice starting in June, that extended daylight time can add another three hours or so to normal winter work days.
This year, buyers have not been waiting for spring to shop for homes. The pandemic has changed how many corporate employees work; with offices closed, the norm became working from home or perhaps a workspace in a local hotel. This has expanded our buyer profile to include these displaced workers who now can work from anywhere, virtually. Compare Northeast Florida’s quality of life to many other places, and it’s understandable why we’ve had an active real estate sales year already in 2021.
Now that spring is upon us, we will see more locals out and about shopping for their next home, as well as buyers from other parts of the country. It’s a great time to spruce up your home’s curb appeal with spring flowers, whether you’re selling or staying. Here’s to longer days!
