"Bad Economy Sellers" Drive New Listings Up

Current Trends in Housing Inventory

The housing market is experiencing a notable increase in new listings, with 68,000 single-family homes hitting the market recently, marking a 7% rise from the previous week and a striking 14% increase compared to the same time last year. This uptick signifies a return to normal levels of market activity as it approaches pre-pandemic figures, with current listings nearly matching the 74,000 seen before the pandemic. Factors driving this rise include shifting economic conditions, such as tariff discussions and unemployment concerns, coupled with the prevailing sentiment of uncertainty among consumers about retaining their home equity. As sellers react to these economic vibes, many opt to sell despite having advantageous low mortgages, motivated by fears of potential market declines.