realtor.com – More often than not, smack in the middle of the booming summer months we’ve found ourselves coming to grips with some kind of big-time glitch in the economy or consumer confidence (U.S. debt ceiling fight! Greek bankruptcy! U.S. government shutdown!), or mortgage rates that move up substantially.

But this July was different. There was no summer surprise—but there were a variety of factors favoring those looking to buy a home.

Finally, a July to Remember—and to Buy a Home