Does the latest news about the housing market have you questioning your plans to sell your home? If so, perspective is key. Here are some of the ways a trusted real estate professional can explain the shift that’s happening today and why it’s still a sellers’ market even during the cooldown.
Fewer Homes for Sale than Pre-Pandemic
While the supply of homes available for sale has increased this year compared to last, we’re still nowhere near what’s considered a balanced market. A recent post by John Coleman of Coleman Mortgages highlighted that in 2022 nearly 1600 homes have been sold so far. That is still way below pre pandemic levels.
This shows supply this year has surpassed 2021 levels. But the further back you look, the more you’ll understand the big picture. Compared to 2020, we’re just barely above the level of inventory we saw then. And if you go all the way back to 2019, the last normal year in real estate, we’re roughly 40% below the housing supply we had at that time.
Why does this matter to you? When inventory is low, there is still demand for your house because there just aren’t enough homes available for sale.
Homes Are Still Selling Faster Than More Normal Years
And while homes aren’t selling as quickly as they did a few months ago, the average number of days on the market is still well below pre-pandemic norms – in large part because inventory is so low.
Most recently, due to the cooldown in the housing market, the average days on the market have started to tick back up slightly but are still far below the pre-pandemic norm.
What does this mean for you? While it may not be as fast as it was a couple of months ago, homes are still selling much faster than they did in more normal, pre-pandemic years. And if you price it right, your home could still go under contract quickly.
Buyer Demand Has Moderated and Is Now in Line with More Typical Years
Buyer demand has softened this year in response to rising mortgage rates. But again, perspective is key. Getting between 15 & 20 offers like sellers did during the pandemic isn’t the norm.
Prior to the pandemic, it was typical for homes sold to see roughly 2-2.5 offers. As the market heated up during the pandemic, the average number of offers skyrocketed as record-low mortgage rates & low inventory drove up demand. But most recently, the number of offers on homes sold today has started to return to pre-pandemic levels as the market cools from the frenzy.
What’s the takeaway for you? Buyer demand has moderated from the pandemic peak, but it hasn’t disappeared. The buyers are still out there, and if you price your house at current market value, you’ll still be able sell your house today.
Bottom Line
If you have questions about selling your house in today’s housing market, talk to a trusted real estate professional. An agent can help provide context around what’s happening now, so you’re up to date on what you can expect when you’re ready to move.
