Across the United States, there is a severe mismatch between the low number of houses for sale and the high demand for those houses! First-time homebuyers are out in force and are being met with a highly competitive summer real estate market.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the inventory of homes for sale “has fallen year-over-year for 36 consecutive months,” and now stands at a 4.1-month supply. A 6-month supply of inventory is necessary for a balanced market and has not been seen since August of 2012.
NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun had this to say,
“Inventory coming onto the market during this year’s spring buying season – as evidenced again by last month’s weak reading – was not even close to being enough to satisfy demand.
That is why home prices keep outpacing incomes and listings are going under contract in less than a month – and much faster – in many parts of the country.”
Is There Any Relief Coming?
According to the CoreLogic’s 2018 Consumer Housing Sentiment Study, four times as many renters are considering buying homes in the next 12 months than homeowners who are planning to sell, “which is the crux of the available housing-supply imbalance.”
As more and more renters realize the benefits of homeownership, the demand for housing will continue to rise.
Do homeowners realize demand is so high? With home prices rising across the country, homeowners gained over a trillion dollars in equity over the last 12 months, with the average homeowner gaining over $16,000!
The map below shows the breakdown by state:
Many homeowners who have not thought about listing their homes may not even realize how much equity they have gained, or the opportunity available to them in today’s market!
Bottom Line
If you are one of the many homeowners across the country who hasn’t quite found their forever home, now may be a great time to list your house for sale and find your dream home!
Source: Keeping Current Matters
Chrysti Tovani is a Fair Oaks Real Estate Advisor, Transition Specialist, and the author of Downsizing with Intention. She helps homeowners sell long held homes, downsize with clarity, and navigate major life transitions with confidence and strategic guidance.
With decades of experience in real estate, mortgage, and title, Chrysti brings deep industry knowledge and thoughtful preparation to every transaction. Her approach blends strategic home marketing, skilled negotiation, and emotional intelligence, ensuring that each move is handled with both precision and care.
As the founder of I Love Fair Oaks, a hyperlocal media platform highlighting trusted businesses and community life in Fair Oaks, California, Chrysti has built an integrated authority ecosystem that connects real estate expertise with community leadership.
Her work centers on clarity, visibility, and long term legacy, helping clients move forward with confidence while strengthening the community she serves.
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