Real estate cycles are less predictable than in the past. With minute-by-minute alerts on breaking news, homebuyers' moods are now heavily influenced by reporting on key economic indicators, stock market swings and national home sale trends.

"Buyers don't always drill down to see how the national numbers affect their local market. But they're still really affected by them," says Mark Nash, a real estate expert and author of "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home."

Besides economic reports, there are seasonal influences on buyers that can have a significant impact on home sales, according to Nash.

"In January and February, a lot of people ... are stressed out after dysfunctional family events. They're also unhappy about overspending during the holidays. Because of that, they're not feeling rich—an important factor to consider when you're pricing a home," he says.

Do you plan to put your property on the market early in the first quarter of 2014? If so, Nash urges you to exercise extra care to find an agent who's both plugged into buyers' moods and knowledgeable about your neighborhood.

"You need a peppy person who's enthusiastic even when other people are in the doldrums," he says.

Nash, who entered the real estate field in 1996, says it's customary for many real estate agents to schedule vacations in the first couple months of the year. But he says a wintertime home seller needs an agent who's actively involved in the business during the first quarter.

"You don't want someone who tunes out in winter because they think it's a sleepy time for sales," Nash says.

As a wintertime home seller, you’re entitled to know in advance if an agent you’re considering plans to leave town for vacation while your house is up for sale.

"Don’t pick a skier who’s away a lot during the winter," says Joan McLellan Tayler, a long-time realty company owner.

Finding the ideal listing agent for a winter home sale can be trickier than many sellers imagine. Here are a few pointers:

-- Interview more than one agent before making your selection.

Tayler, the author of several books on real estate, says home sellers should always interview at least three potential listing agents.

Friends and family members are one reliable source for referrals. But Tayler contends your neighbors could be a still better one.

"One way to identify agents who are really active in your community is to search for 'For Sale' signs there, noticing which agents have the most signs. That's a smart way to come up with a short list of candidates who know the best pricing strategy for the area," Tayler says.

She says it's "pointless" to interview agents who aren't familiar with the dynamics of your neighborhood market.

-- Look for an agent who takes a tailored marketing approach.

Tayler says top listing agents realize that every home is unique and should be marketed in accord with its size, condition and special characteristics.

Tailored marketing focuses on the property's location, among other factors.

For example, suppose your property is a cottage tucked away in a remote rural setting. Then you'll want your agent to customize your marketing to ensure that prospective buyers will make the long trek to see the home.

"In this case, a strong listing agent will make the directions to the home super easy to follow. Also, the agent will throw a well-catered 'broker's open house,' inviting all the real estate people from the area and advertising your place as a quiet family retreat where you could grow a big garden," Tayler says.

In contrast, she says a listing agent marketing a city home on a main artery should tailor marketing to include ads promoting its quick access to highways and public transportation, as well as nearby restaurants and cultural amenities.

"When business is slow, the best agents don't cut back on ads. They actually advertise more," Tayler says.

-- Resist hiring a family member or friend as your listing agent.

Those within your immediate circle who work in real estate, including relatives and friends, may be extremely trustworthy. But that alone doesn't make them good candidates to list your home, according to Nash, who warns sellers about the risk of hiring an agent with whom they have close ties.

"When you hire someone close to you and a problem comes up, your whole relationship is at risk of meltdown," Nash says.

Also, he says a friend or relative isn't likely to give you the sort of candid advice you need to ensure that your property is in saleable condition and is priced accurately.

"You don't want an agent who fears insulting you by saying your house is worth less than you think or that it's too loaded with clutter to sell well," Nash says.

-- Find an agent who answers your calls and messages promptly.

Because a real estate agent's career depends heavily on networking, someone with strong communication skills is likely to do a better job than someone who's slow to respond.

How can you tell if an agent is responsive? One clue should come when you leave your first phone message.

"Good agents always carry their cell phones. They're always on duty, prospecting for business. They're foolish if they don't call you back within two hours, or at least have an assistant call back until they're free," Tayler says.

-- Don't hesitate to sell during the winter months.

Though the nation as a whole is in the midst of a real estate recovery, your neighborhood may be an outlier. Perhaps this winter it's held back by short-term factors, such as an imbalance between supply and demand for housing, an element that could give buyers added leverage.

"It takes an especially skillful and proactive agent to market a home in an area where buyers have plenty of choices and can take their time," Tayler says.

It can be tempting for those who'd planned to sell in the winter to postpone until spring when more buyers are searching for property. But Tayler advises against delaying.

"With the right listing agent, the winter can be a superb time to sell. That's because many corporate transferees, who are very serious buyers, are out scouting for a home then. Rather than delay, go out and hit the market hard -- with a bang not a whimper," Tayler says. (To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

They're called "upsizers." They're seniors nearing retirement who aspire to the ownership of a larger, more luxurious home to enjoy in their golden years. But can they afford to increase their housing costs without sacrificing their retirement security?

Personal finance experts say that the answer hinges on a few points: Have the upsizers in question amassed a large retirement nest egg? Are they due a traditional "fixed benefit" pension? How much income do they expect from Social Security?

"One very important factor is when you expect to file for Social Security. The longer you wait -- up to age 70 --the more money you'll get every month," says Eric Tyson, co-author of "Personal Finance for Seniors for Dummies."

Most people claim benefits as soon as they're eligible, at age 62 for the current generation. But Tyson urges people to consider waiting until their "full retirement age" of 66 to stake their claim, or better still to wait until age 70 to obtain significantly higher benefits.

Andy Landis, author of "Social Security: The Inside Story," says many people who could afford to hold out for larger Social Security benefits don't understand the implications of filing their claim at age 62 when they're first eligible to do so.

Landis, who conducts retirement planning seminars for large employers and financial planners, acknowledges that many people claim their benefits at age 62 simply because they're strapped for cash to meet current expenses. But he says others file early out of fear that Social Security will run out of funds, a fear he dismisses.

"It would be political suicide for Congress to end a program for current retirees that's so tremendously popular," says Landis, who blogs at www.retireusa.net.

Mark Miller, author of "The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security," who blogs at www.retirementrevised.com, says that the decision is a personal one, involving such factors as personal health and desired quality of life, and that it must be made carefully. If you have a poor life expectancy or want to travel while you're still relatively young and spry, filing early may be the way to go.

Shawn Koch, a certified financial planner, says if they can afford to wait or can use other income to fund their needs and plans, most seniors are better off waiting to age 66 or even 70 to begin collecting benefits.

"Remember that Social Security is inflation-adjusted, and, once you file, you'll get risk-free benefits for the rest of your life. It's really a kind of longevity insurance," says Koch, who's part of the Garrett Planning Network.

Here are a few pointers for retirement age homebuyers:

-- Think holistically about your retirement income needs.

Tyson, a former financial adviser, recommends that before they start shopping for a better home, seniors work through their retirement budget with an accountant or financial planner. Alternatively, they could create their own budget by using one of the free retirement income calculators available through such investment companies as Vanguard or T. Rowe Price.

When calculating how long they'll need retirement income to live, Tyson encourages most seniors to assume they'll have a long life, which is increasingly likely. Social Security Administration data show that the average 65-year-old can now expect to live more than 20 years longer. That compares with 14 years for a 65-year-old in 1940.

"It's critical that you think about your retirement income needs for years ahead -- especially if you don't have a large investment portfolio. This is especially important if you're not due for a pension from your employer," Tyson says.

-- Factor in the related costs of upgrading your housing.

Koch says many seniors fail to take into account the related expenses associated with upsizing or taking on ownership of a second home.

"Keep in mind all those extra upkeep costs for a bigger home or vacation property. Also remember you'll be spending more for furnishings, taxes and insurance," Koch says.

-- Remember that your real estate plans are also tied to your quality of life.

Have you long been attentive to the need to save for your retirement years? And have you also invested your savings carefully? If so, Tyson says Social Security could represent a relatively minor element in your retirement income plan. Those with sufficient savings to meet current living expenses can wait until 66 or even later to start collecting their benefits. In addition, they may be able to afford to buy a better home or vacation property without reliance on Social Security.

Tyson says such homebuyers can now take advantage of very reasonable real estate prices, which will likely increase as the economic recovery progresses.

As he notes, some financial planners are biased against the idea of buying real estate in the years prior to retirement. After all, many planners (except those who work on a fee-only basis), make their living on commissions from the sale of investment products and insurance, not real estate.

But Tyson says people who've saved substantial retirement funds or who are entitled to benefits from a traditional pension, or both, could now be well positioned to buy real estate.

"Although you need to look at the numbers, there are also qualitative factors to consider. If you can afford it, it's always wonderful to fulfill your retirement dreams, including those involving a better home," he says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

As the economy heads toward recovery, the number of road warriors -- people who travel constantly for work -- is rebounding dramatically.

"Business travel is back with a vengeance," says Chris McGinnis, an expert on the topic and director of the consulting firm Travel Skills Group (www.travelskills.com). Are you a road warrior -- someone who does at least 10 business trips annually? And are you also a prospective homebuyer who seeks a location that will enhance, rather than detract from, your hectic lifestyle?

If so, McGinnis says that in the ideal world, you'll move to a region with excellent airport access.

While air travel for business is increasing, the vast majority of business travel still involves driving. Among those traveling often by highway for work are consultants, pharmaceutical company representatives and many salespeople.

Alan Pisarski, an expert on road travel and author of "Commuting in America," recommends that car-bound road warriors choose a location with relatively easy access to major highways, ideally in a mid-size city that's normally free of traffic congestion.

"The first rule is to be in a suburb near an interstate highway so you can get on your way quickly without having to fight your way through colossal city traffic," says Pisarski (www.alanpisarski.com).

Here are a few home-buying pointers for road warriors:

-- Factor time and stress management into your equation.

It's no secret that stress is a major factor for those who travel frequently. That's doubly the case if both partners in a household have demanding travel schedules.

Business travelers typically know how many days per month they must devote to trips. But some fail to factor in the required preparation time for their trips and the time needed to decompress after the trip is over.

In advance of a house-hunting expedition, Merrill Ottwein, a real estate broker and a past president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (www.naeba.org), recommends you write down the specifics of when and where you travel, doing a tally of the hours you typically expend. This will help you foresee how much time and energy you have left for ground transportation hassles and domestic chores.

"You simply have to be realistic about your scheduling limitations," Ottwein says.

-- Consider a "hybrid" home community.

A majority of homebuyers favor the idea of owning a classic detached house. They enjoy the privacy and sense of control that comes with full ownership of four walls.

But you don't necessarily have to forgo your single- family home dream to obtain some home maintenance conveniences associated with life in a subdivision with upkeep services, says Sid Davis, a real estate broker and author of "A Survival Guide for Buying a Home." He recommends you consider a new "hybrid home" community.

As an added plus, hybrid home communities typically give you an added element of security that helps lessen fears that a break-in could occur while you're away.

-- Look for a neighborhood where residents are mutually supportive.

Because it's a refreshing contrast to their hectic routine, some business travelers seek out a peaceful country setting for that get-away-from-it-all feeling when they're home.

However, Ottwein says living in a rural area is usually a poor choice for frequent travelers.

"If you're single and out on the road, you'll always worry something will go wrong back home and there will be no one there to handle the problem. Alternatively, if you're married to a stay-at-home partner, that person could get very lonely living out in the country while you're away traveling," he says.

Ottwein recommends that business travelers consider a neighborhood where the homes are close together and most residents are friendly and approachable.

Ottwein says it's surprisingly easy to determine if a neighborhood is welcoming or standoffish.

"Find a weekend day when you can walk through the community and talk to residents. Ask them about the pros and cons of living there. If people give you a cold reception, take that as a red flag," he says.

-- Seek out a cul-de-sac setting.

Some sharp business travelers know a secret for finding a home where neighbors relate well and are mutually supportive: move to a cul-de-sac.

"A cul-de-sac is a sociological unit just above the family. It's a quiet zone where everyone socializes. Usually, people living on a cul-de-sac help each other out, which can be great for the business traveler," Ottwein says.

-- Think through your particular ground transportation needs.

With each year that passes, Ottwein notices that traffic congestion is a larger and larger concern for his road-warrior clients.

"Whenever possible, my clients love to live near a rail line that can speed them directly to the airport without agonizing over nasty traffic issues. Rail is usually more predictable than road access," he says.

Of course, those in sales and marketing jobs who cover a regional territory typically can't take advantage of rail lines to offset the hardships of driving in traffic-ridden areas. Even so, they should still concern themselves with the best possible access to major highways.

"Business travelers who count on roads to get them to clients and meetings ideally will live at a crossroads point between two major highways. That's a lot better than living way off the beaten path," Ottwein says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)