Remember when finding a house felt like searching for a needle in a haystack? Good news: the tides are turning—and fast.

Across the country, more homes are hitting the market, which means more options for you. But hold up—before you start scrolling listings, here’s the catch: how much inventory has improved depends entirely on where you’re looking. That’s where your local real estate pro (hi, that’s me!) comes in.

Let’s break down what’s really happening—and why this shift matters.

A Nationwide Surge in Listings

Inventory is on the rise in every U.S. region. According to Realtor.com, active listings have increased by at least 19% compared to last year in all four major regions. The West? It’s booming with a nearly 41% jump. That’s a big deal.

Why the sudden growth?

More sellers are making moves. Some homeowners have been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for mortgage rates to drop. But patience has its limits—and many are listing now.

Homes are staying on the market a bit longer. The average home took 51 days to sell in May, giving buyers more breathing room and boosting the total number of homes available.

What this means: we’re inching closer to a balanced market. For a while now, sellers held most of the power. But now? Buyers are finally getting some leverage back.

As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, put it:

“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.”

Not All Markets Are Created Equal

Here’s where it gets interesting. While inventory is growing across the board, not every area is bouncing back at the same pace.

In some regions, we’re nearly back to the “normal” levels we saw from 2017–2019. In others, we’ve made progress—but there’s still a ways to go. Think of it like this:

• Green zones = inventory is close to pre-pandemic levels.
• Red zones = better than last year, but still not quite there.

Translation: Wherever you’re house hunting, your experience will vary. That’s why working with a local expert is key—we know exactly what’s happening on the ground and how to help you navigate it.

What This Means for You

Bottom line? You’ve got more options now than you did a year ago—and that’s a big win if you’re planning a move.

But don’t go it alone. Some neighborhoods are heating up, others are still catching up. A local agent can help you zero in on where the best opportunities are and how to time your move right.

Let’s Chat

Inventory is shifting, and that opens the door for smarter, more confident decisions. Wondering what’s happening in your area? Let’s connect and make a plan that works for you.

What’s one change you’ve noticed in the market lately compared to last year? I’d love to hear your take.