Are There Actually More Homes for Sale Right Now?

If you’re looking to make a move, you want to be sure you have the latest information on the housing market. To help make that possible, here’s an update on the supply of homes for sale today. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the number of homes available in your local market matters to you. Take a look below.  What’s the Truth About Today’s Housing Inventory?While the story for the past few years has been how few homes are on the market, recent national data may leave you feeling a bit confused. That’s because Realtor.com shows inventory is actually growing a bit month-over-month in many parts of the country (see the blue states in the map below):As the map shows, nationally, housing supply increased just over 5% last month. Does That Mean the Days of Limited Inventory Are Over?That might make you wonder: are the days of tight housing supply behind us? The short answer is no. Context is important. While you may see headlines saying inventory is up, data also shows there are still significantly fewer homes for sale than there would usually be in a more normal market.The graph below compares the latest active listing counts (homes currently available for sale) with the most recent normal years in the housing market (2017-2019):As Lance Lambert, Founder, ResiClub Analytics, explains:“Housing market inventory is so far below pre-pandemic levels that October's big jump is still just a drop in the bucket.”What does that mean for you? Remember, real estate is hyper-local. Partnering with a trusted real estate agent will help you gain a better understanding of the inventory situation in your specific market.If you’re looking to buy, you may have slightly more options than you did in recent months, but you still need to brace for low inventory. A great agent will be able to share their expertise and key strategies that have helped other buyers navigate today’s ongoing low housing supply.And, if you’re trying to sell, rest assured you haven’t missed your window of opportunity to potentially get multiple offers or see your house sell quickly. While inventory has ticked up some nationally, overall, it’s still low and may be down even more in your area. Bottom LineIf you’re looking to buy or sell a home, connect with a local real estate agent so you can make sure you’re up to date on all the latest trends that could impact your move, including today’s housing supply. 

Is Your House the Top Thing on a Buyer’s Wish List this Holiday Season?

This time every year, homeowners who are planning to move have a decision to make: sell now or wait until after the holidays? Some sellers with homes already on the market may even remove their listing until the new year.But the truth is, many buyers want to purchase a home for the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. As an article from Fortune Builders explains:“ . . . while a majority of people take a step back from the real estate market during the holiday months, you may find when the temperature drops, your potential for a great real estate deal starts to rise.”To help prove that point, here are four reasons you shouldn’t wait to sell your house.1. The desire to own a home doesn’t stop during the holidays. While a few buyers might opt to delay their moving plans until January, others may need to move now because something in their life has changed. The buyers who look for homes at this time of year are usually motivated to make their move happen and are eager to buy. A recent article from Investopedia says:“Anyone shopping for a new home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is likely going to be a serious buyer. Putting your home on the market at this time of year and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a quicker sale.”2. While the supply of homes for sale has increased a little bit lately, overall inventory is still lower than it was before the pandemic. What does that mean for you? If you work with an agent to price your house at market value, it could still sell quickly because today’s buyers are craving more options – and your home may be exactly what they’re searching for.3. You can determine the days and times that are most convenient for you for home showings. That can help you minimize disruptions to your own schedule, which can be especially important during this busy time of year. Plus, you may find buyers are more flexible on when they’ll tour a house this time of year because they have more time off from work around the holidays.4. And finally, homes decorated for the holidays appeal to many buyers. For those buyers, it’s easy to picture gathering with their loved ones in the home and making memories of their own. An article on selling at this time of year offers this advice:“If you’re selling around a holiday and have decorations up, make sure they accent—not overpower—a room. Less is more.”Bottom LineThere are plenty of good reasons to put your house on the market during the holiday season. Connect with a real estate agent and see if it's the right time for you to sell.

2024 Housing Market Forecast [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some HighlightsThinking of buying or selling a house and wondering what the new year holds for the housing market? Experts forecast home prices to end this year up 2.8% and to rise another 1.5% in 2024. And climbing prices help make homeownership a good investment.Plus, home sales are projected to increase in 2024. That’s good news because it means experts are forecasting more activity as people continue to move.If you're planning to buy or sell, it’s helpful to know what experts project for the housing market. Connect with a local real estate agent to talk about the latest forecasts and craft a plan together.

Celebrating Military History in Coastal Mississippi

Here in Coastal Mississippi, we take great pride in celebrating and honoring our heroic veterans and military personnel who have valiantly defended our freedom. Coastal Mississippi boasts a rich military history, with significant contributions made during World War II. One fascinating piece of history that might surprise many is that the Mississippi Gulf Coast was home to German and Italian prisoners of war during that time. Following their return to their home countries after the war, a group of these former POWs decided to make Mississippi