Flip in Austin: Timing Question

[Marek Berry]

I'm actively seeking a home to flip just outside of Austin. It will be my first real estate investment. I've done tons of homework and have one specific question—my realtor is concerned that if I purchase a home in the next few months I will be selling in the fall/winter, when the housing marked noticeably cools.

Do you, smart readers, recommend putting the project on hold until I can sell in the spring/summer? Or is it not that big of a factor?

I would like to move forward now, but want to ensure I'm not setting myself up for failure.

[Scott Sutherland]

I've done Austin seasonality studies in the past and found about a 4% pricing difference from Winter to late Spring (trough to peak). I did the study in a relatively flat year to remove any appreciation variance. 

As long as you don't list between Thanksgiving and the end of December, you shouldn't see any appreciable impact.