As someone who's spent over four decades guiding clients through the ever-changing real estate landscape of Palo Alto, Mountain View, Menlo Park, and our neighboring mid-peninsula communities, I’ve seen firsthand how national trends can echo in our local markets. By Mid-Q3 2026, active inventory across the U.S. reached 1.14 million—up about 4% from last year’s 1.1 million. While that's growth, it’s a much slower pace than the previous year’s remarkable 21% jump, and only a slight improvement from the low point of 2% growth we saw in late Q2.
It’s interesting to note that, by this point, 18 states and DC had inventory levels above pre-pandemic 2019 numbers, even though the national supply overall remains about 8% below where we were in mid-2019 (with 1.14 million active listings compared to 1.24 million back then). This tells us that, despite the dramatic shifts and a softer market, the U.S. still hasn’t fully rebuilt its housing stock. Prices have flattened on a yearly basis, and with higher yields and mortgage rates on the horizon, momentum could be tested further.
In times like these, thoughtful guidance and a client-first approach become even more important. Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or taking your very first steps into the market, I’m always here to listen, offer insight, and help you navigate these nuanced conditions with care and clarity.
Leave a Reply