Tulips aren't the only things beginning to show up around the region, as the spring-like weather returns for another season. Portage Real Estate Board President Rhonda Lodwick says spring is their busy season, and it won't be long before you start to see 'for sale' signs popping up around town.

Real Estate Board President Board President Rhonda Lodwick"We know we're going to be busy, the hours are going to be longer, and we'll be getting a lot of phone calls. There's excitement across the board. All of the agencies are busy and the agents are out there putting up the signs. I would think they're just staying busy showing those homes and you'll see 'sold' signs, I think, popping up over the next few weeks as well."

She says both buyers and sellers are active at this time of year, to try and plan any moving for a convenient time. However, Lodwick notes this year there are also benefits to buying sooner, rather than later.

"The interest rates are so low at the banks, the buyers are out there looking, and everybody's thinking about that school year. It's hard to say that it's April and we're already thinking about the school year coming to a close, but people are looking to move in the summer. Now is a great time to put your house on the market, and certainly if you're looking for a house and hoping to move for July it's a great time to be looking as well."

Lodwick notes previous buyers have noticed a sparse market, when it comes to homes for sale. However, she notes you can see workers digging foundations for a number of developments, and that will certainly improve the market.

"The more homes on the market, the more selection for the buyers. It also gives someone an option to move up. They'll put their home on the market and buy one of the new ones, maybe they want newer or maybe they want larger. It creates the turnover we need in Portage and so far, 2016 has started off great."