Like the seasons, the real estate market is cyclical. Additionally, winter is usually a time in real estate to hunker down and wait for the spring thaw. For instance, five-year trends will show the casual observer that active and new listings peak in May/June and recede through the summer before reaching low points in November/December. However, these cycles can be invigorated or hampered depending on conditions either directly or indirectly related to the housing market.