09/23/2026
More Homes Hit the Market as Demand Cools
We're seeing a subtle but meaningful shift in the housing market: in the four weeks ending August 23, new listings across the US ticked up by 0.4% week-over-week, and the total number of homes for sale increased by 0.5%, marking the highest inventory levels since early Q2. Yet, even as more properties become available, high housing costs are keeping many buyers on the sidelines, with pending home sales dipping 1.1% to a six-month low. The median sale price now sits above $400K—up 1.9% from last year—while average mortgage rates hover near 7%, their highest in over a year.
As inventory rises and demand softens, buyers are finding more opportunities to negotiate, from price reductions to seller concessions. Listings that have been on the market for several weeks are often providing the most leverage for buyers, while sellers who set realistic prices, rather than chasing last year’s highs, are seeing the best results. As someone who’s dedicated to helping clients navigate these changes—especially in the Redlands area—I’m always watching for the moments when market shifts open new doors for both buyers and sellers.