Insight
The market shifted faster than expected.
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen a noticeable change across the market:
Homes that sat for months late last year are suddenly going under contract
Buyer activity has picked up sharply—some listings are seeing multiple offers again
Inventory was already trending lower coming out of December, and it’s tightening even more
Pending sales jumped significantly just in the past week. If this is what January looks like, spring is shaping up to be very competitive.
What this means for sellers
If you’ve been considering selling this year, the window between now and early spring may be one of the strongest opportunities. As more buyers come off the sidelines and inventory stays limited, well-priced homes are getting attention quickly. Getting ahead of the spring rush can mean less competition and stronger leverage.
What this means for buyers
Competition is starting earlier than usual. Buyers who are prepared, pre-approved, clear on their criteria, and ready to act, will be in the best position. Waiting until peak spring could mean fewer choices and more competition.
Bottom line
The market didn’t slowly warm up, it shifted. Strategy matters more than ever right now, whether that means getting a home listed sooner than planned or positioning yourself to win as a buyer.
If you’re thinking about making a move this year, now is a great time to have a real conversation about timing, pricing, and strategy.
Relationships always come before transactions.