After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year. And depending on where you live, that’s opening up your options in a meaningful way. 
According to Realtor.com, the number of homes available for sale in January was the highest it’s been since 2020. Here’s why that’s such a big deal. Getting back to pre-pandemic levels signals a slow and steady return to what’s typical:
Now, it’s worth noting, nationally we’re not there yet – and having more inventory improving won’t suddenly “fix” the market. But the growth we’ve seen lately still changes how competitive the market feels.

When there are more homes for sale, buyers gain time, options, and leverage.


When there aren’t, the pressure ramps up quickly.

In the years since 2020, there weren’t enough homes for sale, and that made the market feel different. ...

If you saw headlines that talked about how “home sales fell sharply in January,” it probably raised an eyebrow – especially if you’re thinking about selling your house. But context matters.
Yes, in January, home sales declined. But that has more to do with seasonality and the weather than it does with any big drop off in demand. 
What’s Really Behind the Decline? 
Reports coming out of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) say the pace of home sales fell roughly 8.4% last month compared to the month before. And that’s true. But it isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. 
Data show it’s normal for sales to dip in January. In the last 4 years, that pattern has held true all but once. And sure, the decline we saw this year was a steeper drop off than the norm (the yellow bars on the right), but that can be explained too. More on that in a moment.
The really important part you& ...

Written by:Steve Marcinuk 
Date: 02 Feb 2026

While much of the country is seeing the housing market slow and buyers gain leverage, northern Bergen County remains under conditions that favor sellers. Local properties routinely sell above asking price, and inventory remains tight despite a slight increase in listings. These factors have kept the market competitive and prices rising, even as other regions experience a pullback.
Paula Clark, leader of The Paula Clark Group at Keller Williams and a 30-year veteran of the area’s real estate market, reports that home prices in northern Bergen County have climbed 13% year-over-year. She expects this growth to continue as interest rates stabilize and more buyers return to the market.
“We’re still in a seller’s market,” Clark says. “We’re still getting over-asking offers, and homes are selling between six and 15% over the asking price.”

This sustained seller advantage contras ...

You may not want to put your homebuying plans into hibernation mode this winter. While a lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to buy a house, new data shows January may actually be the best time of year for budget-conscious buyers. 
Kind of surprising, right? Here’s why January deserves a serious look.
1. Prices Tend To Be Lower This Time of Year
Lending Tree says January is the least expensive month to buy a home. And there’s something to that. January has historically offered one of the lowest price-per-square-foot points of the entire year. But the spring? That’s when demand (and prices) usually peak. And that’s not speculation – it's a well-known trend based on years of market data.
So, how much less are we talking? Here’s a look at the numbers. According to the last full year of data, for the typical 1,500 square foot house, buyers who closed on their home in January paid around $23 ...

If a move is on your radar for 2026, there’s a lot more working in your favor than there has been in a while.
After a stretch where many people felt stuck, 2026 is shaping up to be a year with more balance, more options, and more clarity for people who want to make a move. Not because the market is suddenly “easy,” but because several key conditions are shifting.
Here’s what the experts are saying you have to look forward to.
Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com:
“After a challenging period for buyers, sellers and renters, 2026 should offer a welcome, if modest, step toward a healthier housing market.”
The National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“Top economists have one word to sum up the housing market for 2026: opportunity. Lower mortgage rates and a rising supply of homes are expected to open up the housing market . . . something the real estate industry and potential home buyers and sellers have ...