http://pkrealtor.com/blog/categoryname_opportunities/sort_entrydatetime-desc/  After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year. And depending on where you live, that’s opening up your options in a meaningful way. According to Realtor.com, the number of homes available for sale in January was the highest it’s been since 2020. Here’s why that’s such a big deal. Getting back to pre-pandemic levels signals a slow and steady return to what’s typical:Now, it’s worth noting, nationally we’re not there yet – and having more inventory improving won’t suddenly “fix” the market. But the growth we’ve seen lately still changes how competitive the market feels.When there are more homes for sale, buyers gain time, options, and leverage.When there aren’t, the pressure ramps up quickly.In the years since 2020, there weren’t enough homes for sale, and that made the market feel different. Rushed. Stressful. Intimidating.But now it’s finally getting better.A Growing Portion of the Country Is Getting Back to NormalDepending on where you live, inventory growth is going to vary. Some places are bouncing back faster than others. According to Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, in January 2025, just a little over one year ago, only 41 of the 200 largest metros were back to normal inventory-wise. But around the end of year, almost half (90) of the largest 200 metro areas were back at or above typical levels. That’s a big improvement in roughly a year. And it’s not done yet. Inventory Is Expected To Keep Growing Looking ahead, forecasts suggest the number of homes for sale could rise another 10% this year, which means even more markets should join the list of places where supply has rebounded.Here’s a graph that shows what an extra 10% would do for the market this year. You can see that projected growth (shown in the dotted line) hits inventory levels seen in 2017-2019 by roughly this fall (the gray lines). That means we may reach normal by end of year, nationally:And that changes your home search in a good way. As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com, puts it:“. . . housing market conditions are gradually rebalancing after several years of extreme seller advantage. Buyers are beginning to see more options and modest negotiating power as inventory improves . . .”In other words, the market is starting to work with buyers again — not against them.Bottom LineInventory isn’t fully back to normal everywhere. But it’s moving in the right direction. And, in some areas, it’s already there.If you’ve been waiting for a moment when you have options and a little breathing room, this is the strongest setup buyers have seen in a long time.If you want to know what’s happening in our local market, let’s talk. http://pkrealtor.com/blog/1083/inventory-is-making-a-comeback-in-2026/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:27:07 -0500 Still trying to find the perfect home? Here’s the good news. Experts project the number of homes for sale will keep climbing, with inventory expected to rise another 9-10% percent this year. That means more choices and more chances to find what you've been searching for. Want to see what’s out there? DM me and let’s have a conversation about what you’re looking for. With how inventory’s growing, your home could already be waiting for you. http://pkrealtor.com/blog/1070/inventory-will-rise-another-10-percent-in-2026/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:02:58 -0500 Big news for homebuyers. Affordability has hit a 2.5-year high. And here’s why. Mortgage rates have been trending down and home prices are moderating. That means the math on buying a home looks a lot better than it did the past couple of years. If you’ve been waiting for a sign that it’s time to take another look, this is it. The affordability challenge isn’t solved, but it is better. Let’s see what’s possible now. DM me if you want to see how this changes your buying power. http://pkrealtor.com/blog/1033/the-best-affordability-in-2-5-years/ Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:59:25 -0500  There’s a new divide in housing right now. In some states, buyers are gaining ground. In others, sellers still have the upper hand. It all depends on where you live. Curious what's happening in your state?These 3 maps show how the split is playing out across the country. In each one:Darker Shades of Blue = Buyer friendlyLighter Shades of Blue = Seller strongInventory Sets the StageWhile the number of homes for sale has improved pretty much across the board, how much growth we’ve seen can look dramatically different based on where you live. And that impacts who has the leverage today.This map uses data from Realtor.com to break it down:The darker shades of blue show where inventory has risen more than in other areas of the country. Buyers here have more to choose from and should have an easier time finding a home and leveraging their negotiating power.The lighter shades of blue are where inventory is still low. Sellers are more likely to sell quickly and make fewer concessions.Prices Follow InventoryThe second map tracks how home prices are shifting by state. Just like above, you can see the divide taking shape. Many of the same areas are darker blue. That’s because there’s such a close tie between inventory and prices. When inventory rises, prices moderate.The darker shades of blue are where prices are actually coming down slightly or flattening. Because, with more homes for sale, sellers may have to cut their price or throw in concessions to get a deal done. And that benefits budget-conscious buyers.The lighter shades of blue show areas where prices are still climbing because inventory is low. Sellers may still see buyers competing for homes, and that pushes prices higher.Time on Market Tells the Same StoryFinally, here’s how quickly homes are selling state by state. See the colors? For the most part, they follow the same general pattern with a lot of the darker blues being in the lower half of the country. And here’s why.Generally speaking, as inventory grows, homes don’t sell as quickly. That’s why some of the same areas that have more inventory, see homes take more time to sell. The darker blues show where homes are staying on the market longer. That gives buyers more time and options, and signals sellers may need to adjust their expectations.The lighter blues are where homes are still moving quickly. Sellers there may feel more confident, and buyers may need to act fast.This explains why some sellers in these darker blue states are feeling frustrated when their listings linger, while others in tighter markets (like the lighter blue states) are still seeing their homes sell quickly.Why an Agent’s Local Expertise Is the Key To Unlocking Today’s MarketBasically, the housing market is experiencing a divide. And conditions are going to vary a lot based on where you live, where you’re moving, and if you’re buying or selling. While the state-level information helps, what really matters is what’s happening in your town and your neighborhood. And only a local agent truly has the information you need.Bottom LineWant to know what conditions look like in your neighborhood?If you want to understand which side of the market you’re on, let’s connect. We can walk through the numbers and what they mean for your next move. http://pkrealtor.com/blog/1004/why-buyers-and-sellers-face-very-different-conditions-today/ Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:56:50 -0500 The number of homes actively for sale is at its highest point since 2020 — and that’s a big deal for any homebuyer out there. That gives you the widest selection of homes to choose from right now that you’ve had in five years. That means a better shot at finding the home that truly fits and the chance to make a deal on your terms. Want to see what’s for sale in our local market? DM me. http://pkrealtor.com/blog/995/inventory-of-homes-for-sale-at-5-year-high-graph/ Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:35:28 -0500