The housing market’s looking up these days, especially when it comes to the number of homes available for sale. Since the start of this year, there’s been a noticeable increase in housing inventory, and that’s a big deal.

According to recent data from Realtor.com, there are 36.6% more homes on the market now than there were at this time last year. That’s a pretty solid improvement. If you’ve been thinking about buying a home but were put off by the limited choices, this is great news. More homes on the market mean more options for you, and it also gives you a bit more room to negotiate.

Lawrence Yun, the Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), puts it nicely:

“Increased housing supply spells good news for consumers who want to see more properties before making purchasing decisions.”

That said, while the inventory has grown, it’s not like we’ve suddenly got more houses than we know what to do with. We’re still not back to pre-pandemic levels. In fact, compared to the more typical years before the pandemic (2017–2019), there are still about 29% fewer homes for sale.

Bill McBride, a Housing Analyst for Calculated Risk, explains it like this:

“. . . currently inventory is increasing year-over-year but is still well below pre-pandemic levels.”

But that’s okay. It’s going to take some time for the housing market to fully bounce back to where it was. The good news is that in some areas, we’re getting closer.

If you’re curious about what the inventory looks like in your area, it’s a good idea to talk to a local real estate agent. They can give you the lowdown on what’s happening in your market and how it compares to the national scene. You might find that you have even more options than you expected.

The bottom line is that the supply of homes is definitely on the rise, which is great if you’re in the market to buy. You’ve got more choices now, and a better shot at finding something that fits your needs.

So, what are you looking for in a home? And what’s your budget? Let’s chat and figure out the best options for you.