Low Home Inventory Creates Bidding Wars

As housing inventories remain constrained in many markets, some buyers may face increased competition and more bidding wars heading into the spring selling season. (It’s already happening here in Arizona!)

“It’s not uncommon to see 15 to 25 offers in some of the more desirable places in Oakland, and for homes to sell 35 percent above the list price or even more,” says Tom Hendershot, a Redfin real estate professional. The real estate brokerage Redfin reports in its latest housing report that bidding wars are already elevated in places like Oakland, California. At the end of January, Oakland had six weeks of inventory, but with buyer demand strong, many homes for sale landed in multiple-offer situations, the brokerage reports.

Supplies are also tight, with less than three month’s supply in markets like Boulder, Colorado; Denver; Seattle; and Dallas, according to Redfin’s analysis.
Inventory of homes for sale fell in January, decreasing 6.7 percent month-over-month and 8.7 percent year-over-year, according to a January National Housing Trend report released by realtor.com®, which tracks price and inventory fluctuations in 200 markets.

About 80 percent of the housing markets tracked saw a drop in inventory levels, the report showed. Inventories have had some of the steepest year-over-year declines in Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada (down 37%); Key West, Florida (-36%); Colorado Springs, Colorado (-36%); Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida (-35%); and Columbus, Ohio (-35%).

As a third generation real estate agent and native of Arizona, I am passionate about helping you and your loved ones achieve your real estate goals. If you are buying or selling in Gilbert or any of the East Valley cities, trust that I will go the extra mile to ensure a smooth and successful transaction.