With the onset of the holiday season, many homebuyers and sellers take a pause from real estate to focus on other activities. But a December market surge is actually fairly common thanks to some of the most motivated sellers and buyers of the year. In some cases, sellers are looking to get their homes on the market ahead of the spring rush. Buyers also might be trying to get a jump on the competition, especially with today’s historically low inventory. And some have the added incentive of a year-end bonus or a job relocation.