Why Now Might Be the Best Time to Re-Enter the Housing Market

Over the last few years, the housing market has been a whirlwind—fast-moving, competitive, and, for many buyers, downright overwhelming. Home prices were climbing month after month, and bidding wars often forced buyers to go 10%, 20%, even 30% over the asking price. To make matters more challenging, many had to waive inspections and contingencies just to have a shot at winning a home.

It’s no surprise that a lot of would-be buyers decided to step back and wait for conditions to change.

A Shift in the Market

That shift may finally be here. Since January of this year, housing inventory has increased by an impressive 40%, giving buyers more options than they’ve had in years. In fact, the number of homes available on the market hasn’t been this high since July of 2020.

For buyers who once felt shut out of the market, this surge in inventory is creating new opportunities. More homes on the market mean less intense competition, more balanced negotiations, and a healthier environment for buyers to find the right fit for their needs.

What Buyers Can Expect Now

Unlike the frenzied market of the past few years, today’s buyers are seeing a return to normalcy. Many of the benefits that used to be standard before the pandemic are coming back into play, such as:

• Negotiating on list price rather than automatically going over.

• Inspections being accepted as a normal part of the process.

• Home warranties being included to provide peace of mind.

• Seller-paid closing costs, helping buyers keep more cash in their pockets.

These shifts are creating a healthier, more balanced market that favors both sides of the transaction.

Why This Matters

If you felt sidelined during the market’s peak frenzy, now could be the perfect time to start looking again. With more inventory, less competition, and the return of buyer-friendly terms, you have a much better chance of finding the right home—without feeling pressured into risky decisions.

The housing market is always changing, but right now buyers are finally regaining some of the leverage they lost during the last few years. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, this might just be it.