Realtors in the Greater Akron area expect to move more "For Sale" signs off of front lawns this spring and summer.

"We had a very, very strong fourth quarter of 2011 and we're set to have a very strong first quarter of 2012," Ali Whitley said, president of the Akron Area Board of Realtors.

Whitley says pending and closing sales are up by about 37 percent from last year. February figures in Ohio jumped 20 percent from the same time in 2011. The state of Ohio has seen eight straight months of growth, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

"Our sales have closed up and our pending sales are up as well, which leads us to believe that our closings will be strong throughout the whole first quarter of 2012 and moving into the summer," she said.

With new owners moving in, it could become competitive to find the right fit for those moving out.

"The inventory of homes available is going down. A home that is priced right and in good condition, is going to sell now," Whitley said.

She says families searching for their new home sweet home should be prepared to put down an offer and negotiate if they find what they want.

"If it is the home that you would love, make an offer and try to negotiate that sale," she said.

On the web: Akron Area Board of Realtors