Seller's Delight: The Current State of Housing Inventory

Lisa Mailhot  |  July 6, 2023

Buyers

Seller's Delight: The Current State of Housing Inventory

 

The current housing market poses a significant challenge due to the limited availability of homes for sale in comparison to the high demand from prospective buyers. To underscore the scarcity of housing inventory, let's examine the latest data on active listings, which represent homes available for sale during a specific month, and compare it to levels considered more typical.

Based on a recent report by Realtor.com,

“On average, active inventory in June was 50.6% below pre-pandemic 2017–2019 levels.

This disparity can be better visualized in the graph below, which employs historical data to demonstrate the considerable lag in inventory compared to a more customary market:

Please note that the graph excludes the years 2020-2022 as they were extraordinary for the housing market. Their omission ensures a fair comparison that avoids distorting the data.

By comparing the orange bars representing 2023 with the housing market's last normal years (2017-2019), it becomes evident that the number of active listings remains significantly below the average.

What Does This Mean for You? 

If you're contemplating selling your house, the scarcity of inventory presents a favorable opportunity. With fewer options available to buyers now compared to more typical years, this scarcity continues to impact key indicators in the housing market. For instance, the latest Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reveals some positive statistics that sellers will appreciate:

  • The percentage of homes sold in less than a month slightly increased to 74%.
  • The median days on the market decreased to 18 days, indicating that appropriately priced homes are still selling quickly.
  • The average number of offers on recently sold homes rose to 3.3 offers.

Bottom Line

When supply is limited, your house gains greater visibility. Consequently, sellers are experiencing faster sales and an increase in offers. If you have considered selling, now is an opportune time to take action. Let's connect and initiate the process.

 

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Why New Homes Are Losing Ground to Resales

New-home sales slowed in July 2025 as affordability challenges weighed heavily on buyers, despite builder incentives and discounts. With prices dropping below existing… Read more

Job Security Anxiety Puts the Brakes on Homebuying

Nearly half of U.S. workers are reconsidering big financial moves like purchasing a home because of concerns over job stability, according to a new Redfin survey. Whil… Read more

July 2025 Housing Report Shows Growth in Southern Home Construction While Other Regions Experience Declines

July 2025 housing starts data shows single-family construction climbing in the South while slowing in other parts of the country. For Orange County buyers and sellers,… Read more

Permits for Apartments Drop 23% Will Rents Start Climbing?

Apartment-building permits slowed across the U.S. this past year, signaling tighter future rental supply even as demand firms back up. Here’s what the national trend—a… Read more

Mortgage Rates Just Hit a 4-Month Low — Opportunity Knocks for Orange County

Mortgage rates have dipped to their lowest point since April, creating new opportunities for buyers and shifting the negotiating landscape for sellers. This drop could… Read more

Renting a House or Apartment? Here's What You're Really Paying For

Renting a home comes with more than just monthly rent. Hidden costs like utilities, insurance, and maintenance can vary significantly between houses and apartments. Le… Read more

Mortgage Rates Hit 10-Month Low, Boosting Buyer Budgets

Mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest point in nearly a year, giving homebuyers more room in their budgets and creating fresh opportunities for sellers. Discover … Read more

Home Prices Drop in 14 U.S. Metros

Discover the latest housing market trends, including significant home price drops in major U.S. metros like West Palm Beach and Austin. Learn what these changes mean f… Read more

Home Prices Are Falling in These 4 Cities

Home values are now falling annually in four major U.S. cities, signaling a shift in the national housing market. Learn which metros are affected, why this matters, an… Read more

We are excited to assist you in finding your perfect home

Let's find a time that suits you best to chat about your goals, show you how we work, and figure out how we can help you the most