Definition
Active listings are homes currently for sale and not yet under contract. Higher inventory means more buyer selection (good for buyers), fewer homes mean less selection (good for sellers). Tracking active listings tells you whether the market is tilted toward buyers or sellers.
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Active listings are properties available for purchase right now. This metric is different from total inventory, which may include withdrawn and expired listings. Active listings determine the real selection available to buyers in a market. The number of active listings directly correlates with market conditions—more active listings favor buyers, while fewer active listings favor sellers.
Pro Tip
Track active listings in your market—rising inventory signals buyer advantage, declining inventory signals seller advantage. This metric is more reliable than price trends for understanding real market conditions.
Example
A neighborhood has 150 active listings, meaning 150 homes are currently available for purchase. This supply determines how competitive a market is for buyers.