March is associated with brighter colors like green in several ways—the grass that is beginning to sprout all around Eastern Middle Tennessee, the hats and buttons worn by mirthful revelers on St. Patrick’s Day, and the bills that might be collected by March Madness hoops fans whose office-pool brackets stay the most intact over the next few weeks.

This month is also a bright one for prospective buyers on the hunt for a new home. Why? In large part, as we’ve covered in the first two posts in this blog series, it’s because March ushers in the busier spring housing market that is characterized by a number of key factors that favor those engaged in real estate, including buyers.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons that make March a hot month for home buyers.

1. Increased Inventory (aka the "Spring Surge"): After the much slower winter months, more owners opt to list their properties in this blossoming season, providing prospective buyers with a wider, deeper selection of home options to choose from.

2. Less Competition Than the Coming Summer Months: Even as inventory tends to rise and activity picks up, March still arrives before the peak busyness of May and June, allowing buyers to make their moves prior to the heaviest bidding-war months.

3. Enhanced Negotiating Power: In a similar way, because sellers might be eager to list before the summer rush, and this month sees less buyer traffic, buyers on the hunt in March often find more room for negotiation on price and terms.

4. Optimal Timing for School and Moving In: Searching for a home in March often allows for a closing in late spring, and that gives families time to move and settle in to their new community well before the next school year begins in the fall, as discussed in this article from Bankrate.

5. Sharper Curb Appeal and Warmer Weather: You might not know it from the cold snaps that sometimes blow into Tennessee this time of year, but for the most part, as spring arrives, warmer weather and blooming landscapes enhance a home’s curb appeal. This not only helps a home look more appealing, but it also makes it easier to accurately assess a property’s condition (along with the neighborhood vibe) compared to winter.

6. Seller Motivation: Finally, similar to point 4 above, buyers aren’t the only ones thinking about getting into a new home in the springtime. Many sellers are trying to lock in a buyer and move before summer and the following school year as well. This can lead to more motivated sellers in the market, as shown in this article from Mortgage Financial Services.

We could say more, but you get the point. You can read more about why March is a strong month for buyers in articles like these:

March Kicks Off the Start of Home Buying Season: Are You Ready? (Realtor.com)

March 2026 Housing Market Forecast: Key Factors Impacting Home Buyers and Sellers This Month (Yahoo! Finance)

Should You Buy a House in March? Experts Weigh In on Housing Market (Newsweek)

So, in closing, the news is good overall in March not only for sellers (see our previous blog here) but also for buyers.

For both groups, those who are wise make the smart choice to partner with a REALTOR to help them navigate the nuances, challenges, and complexities of the transaction, from the earliest thoughts and ideas all the way to the closing table and beyond.

Speaking of which, be sure to stay tuned for next week’s fourth and final post in this March series, “How REALTORS Are Preparing to Bloom.”

In the meantime, may your March Madness bracket be a winner—or at least not get busted too soon.

About EMTAR: Chartered in 1969, our Association’s 1,200+ REALTORS are a proud part of the 36,000+ members of Tennessee REALTORS and of the 1.5 million+ members of NAR, all working to serve the public and protect the rights of America’s property owners. EMTAR members are known not only for their unmatched real estate excellence and high ethical standards, but also for being generous, hospitable, others-focused, loyal, hardworking, and eager to help wherever and whenever help is needed.