If you’ve been frustrated trying to find the perfect home in recent years, you’re not alone. For the past few years, housing inventory has been historically low — making it tough for buyers to find good options and driving up competition and prices.

But there’s good news: inventory is improving. And that’s a major shift in today’s market that every homebuyer should understand.

Still, it’s important to know that the pace of this improvement varies greatly depending on where you live. That’s why leaning on the guidance of a local real estate expert is more important than ever.

Here’s a breakdown of where we are today — and what it means if you’re buying in Los Angeles County or anywhere in the country.

Housing Inventory Is Growing Nationwide

Nationally, the number of homes for sale is on the rise — and this is true across every region of the country.

According to the latest data from Realtor.com, inventory is up at least 19% year-over-year in all four U.S. regions. In the West, which includes California, inventory is up a staggering 40.7% compared to this time last year.

There are two key reasons why inventory is improving:

More sellers are listing their homes. Many homeowners waited through higher mortgage rates hoping for a drop. Now, some have decided it’s time to move forward. In fact, this May saw more new listings than any May in the last three years.

Homes are taking longer to sell. The typical home now stays on the market about 51 days — closer to historical norms. That means more listings are sitting longer, adding to overall inventory.

Bottom line: this shift is helping move us toward a more balanced market — and that’s great news for buyers. It means more options, less bidding wars, and a healthier pace of sales.

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains:

“The number of homes for sale is rising in many markets, giving shoppers more choices than they’ve had in years... the market is starting to rebalance.”

How Close Are We to Pre-Pandemic Inventory Levels?

While inventory is growing, it’s important to understand that we aren’t fully back to pre-pandemic normal in every region just yet.

This next graph compares current inventory to where it stood during the more typical housing market of 2017-2019.

Here’s what the data shows:

In the South and West (including California), inventory is starting to approach normal levels — and even surpassing pre-pandemic levels in some areas.

In the Midwest and Northeast, inventory is improving but still well below what’s considered typical.

For buyers in the Los Angeles area and throughout California, this means that market conditions may feel more balanced today than they did one or two years ago — giving you more opportunities and possibly more room to negotiate.

What This Means for Your Next Move

More homes on the market means more choices and less pressure for buyers — but how much inventory is available depends heavily on your local market.

In Los Angeles County, we’re seeing significant inventory gains this year, which is great news if you’ve been waiting to make your move.

But don’t go it alone. Every neighborhood is different, and trends can shift quickly. Working with an expert local real estate agent will help you:

? Understand how much inventory is available in your target area
? Know whether you’re in a buyer’s or seller’s market
? Tailor your home search based on what’s available
? Craft competitive offers that reflect today’s conditions

Bottom Line

Housing inventory is improving — but it’s not back to normal everywhere just yet.

If you’re planning to buy this year, understanding local trends is key to making smart decisions. Let’s connect to explore what’s happening here in the Los Angeles and surrounding markets — and create a winning strategy for your home search.

Ready to see what’s available today? Let’s talk.