Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner. You can see indications of it everywhere. There have even been a few daffodils blooming! But outside of the clues nature has been providing, there are other signs too. Literally. “For Sale” signs, to be exact. ’Tis the season to buy and sell homes. In fact, according to Freddie Mac, April, May, and June accounted for 40% of all home sales in 2015. How come? People are ready to quit hibernating and get out of their winter lairs. They are itching to get in the sun and go hunting for a new, better home. More importantly, it’s a critical time for being able to easily transition kids from one school to another. Many families typically rush to buy a new home in the spring, settle in during the summer, then have their kids start at a new school in the fall. It’s a smart, strategic timeline. If you haven’t already heard, 2016 promises to be a competitive home-buying year. So how can you get a a jump start ahead of all the other frantic buyers that are putting offers on YOUR chosen dream home? Keep the following tactics in mind so you don’t miss out: