You may have seen headlines saying the number of homes for sale has jumped. If that made you worry about a housing crash — it’s time to breathe easy.

In reality, rising inventory isn’t a red flag. It’s a sign the market is getting healthier and returning to more balanced conditions — which is great news for buyers.

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Inventory Has Hit a Post-Pandemic High

According to Realtor.com, the number of active listings has climbed significantly — reaching its highest point since 2020.

But here’s what matters: even with that increase, total inventory is still far below pre-pandemic levels (see the gray lines on the chart). In other words, we have more homes available than in the last few years — but we’re not back to normal yet.

This gives you more options as a buyer without tipping the market into oversupply.

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Why This Is NOT Like 2008

The word “rising inventory” might trigger memories of 2008 — when listings spiked and prices crashed. But that’s not what’s happening now.

Back then, the market was overbuilt. Today, we’re facing the opposite problem — a severe housing shortage that’s been building for over a decade.

Since 2012, new construction hasn’t kept pace with population growth. The result? We’re millions of homes short. In fact, Realtor.com reports:

“At the current pace of construction, it would take 7.5 years to close the housing gap.”

So, today’s increase in listings isn’t excess. It’s simply catching up — and helping to fill a critical supply void.

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What This Means for You as a Buyer

The recent inventory growth gives buyers like you more breathing room. You may have:

• More homes to choose from
• Less intense competition
• A better chance to negotiate

This shift offers you an opportunity to re-enter the market — especially if you were priced out or overwhelmed during the ultra-competitive pandemic years.

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Bottom Line

Rising inventory is not a warning sign. It’s the market healing — and your opportunity to make a move while the landscape is less chaotic.

Want to explore your options while there’s more on the market? Let’s connect and put a smart plan together to help you buy with confidence.