If you're buying or selling a home this summer, you might notice that things can feel a bit... unpredictable... from time to time.

One week there seems to be a steady stream of new listings hitting the market -- then the next, hardly anything new pops up. Showings on your home might be brisk for a few days, then quiet for a stretch. 

What's going on?

More often than not, these fluctuations are simply part of the natural rhythm of our summer real estate market here in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Summer is full of transitions -- family vacations, long weekends, kids out of school, time away from work, etc. All of this impacts the real estate market in small but noticeable ways. A seller may have planned to list their home in mid-July but decided to wait until after their beach trip. A buyer might have been ready to tour homes this week but is out of town visiting family.

So, if you're watching the market and find yourself wondering why there are fewer listings this week, or why showings suddenly dropped off, it may just be the timing of summer plans.

Don't be discouraged by these ebbs and flows. This rhythm is completely normal for June, July, and August -- and things typically level out again as we move toward the fall.