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THE ROOTS

Inventory

All Terms
Core termHome Buying ProcessBuying

Definition

The total number of residential properties available for sale in a market at a given time. Inventory levels indicate market balance and affect your options and negotiating power.

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About this term

Inventory is measured in months on market (total inventory divided by average monthly sales). Low inventory (under 3 months) indicates a seller's market, while high inventory (over 6 months) indicates a buyer's market. Inventory levels vary seasonally and by location.

Pro Tip

Monitor inventory levels in your target market. When it drops, competitive conditions increase—act quickly.

Example

The market had 4 months of inventory, with 800 active listings and average monthly sales of 200 homes.

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