National Housing Inventory Up Three Percent – NMP
Industry News

National Housing Inventory Up Three Percent

Nov 21, 2018
After what seemed to be an endless period of housing inventory evaporation, Zillow is reporting that there were three percent more homes available for sale during October compared to one year earlier

After what seemed to be an endless period of housing inventory evaporation, Zillow is reporting that there were three percent more homes available for sale during October compared to one year earlier. This follows the tiny 0.1 percent annualized inventory uptick in September, and Zillow is speculating that this can be the start of a new trend of increased housing opportunities.
 
“In yet another sign that the housing market is cooling, we're finally starting to see inventory return after several years of annual declines,” said Zillow Senior Economist Aaron Terrazas. “The combination of tight supply and strong demand have pushed up home values in recent years, but markets always ebb and flow and there is no doubt that the tides that have buoyed sellers are shifting.”
 
Many of the nation’s most expensive metro areas have seen the greatest gains in inventory, most notably the 1,500 new listings in San Jose that resulted in a 93.1 percent annualized inventory growth. San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle also saw more homes available for sale in October.
 
But a growing inventory does not mean that prices will be falling: Home value appreciation held steady in October at 7.7 percent, with the median U.S. home worth $221,500. Still, Zillow found half of the 35 largest metro areas experienced slower home value growth in October versus one year earlier, most notably in Seattle’s decline from 12.6 percent annual growth to 7.1 percent.
 
As for the rental side of housing, Zillow reported that rents dipped on an annual basis by 0.1 percent, or $12 per year, to a national median rent of $1,442. Rents fell year over year in 18 of the 35 largest markets.
 
About the author
Phil Hall
Link copied
Published
Nov 21, 2018
Get the NMP Daily
Wholesale
UWM Ties $603 Million Hedge Loss To Failed Two Harbors Bid

The wholesale lender is raising $2.05 billion and suspending its dividend after the transaction contributed to a sharp quarterly loss and exposed balance-sheet pressure

United Wholesale Mortgage Chairman and CEO Mat Ishbia attributed a $603.2 million derivatives loss in the second quarter to an unusually large hedge established around UWM’s failed pursuit of Two Harbors Investment Corp., calling it a transaction-specific mistake that the co...

Continue reading
Opinion
The Real AI Deadline Isn’t August 6: What Mortgage Executives Should Be Preparing For Next

August 6 was an important contractual checkpoint. The more consequential deadline is the day a GSE, regulator, investor, warehouse lender, or plaintiff asks the institution to produce evidence that its AI governance actually worked

Across the mortgage industry, August 6, 2026, has been treated as the artificial-intelligence governance deadline. Now that the date has arrived, the harder question is what an institution must be prepared to prove on August 7 and every day thereafter.Fannie Mae’s governance...

Continue reading
Renew your NMLS License — for free.

Enjoy access to a free NMLS renewal class when you attend an in-person event.

Find an event
More from
Industry News
The Fed Held. The Mortgage Market Got A Warning.

Three policymakers favored an immediate hike, while Warsh welcomed higher bond yields and offered no clear path toward mortgage-rate relief

Industry News
Jul 30, 2026
New Study Finds UWM's 'All-In' Triggered Industrywide Pricing Spillovers

Research shows wholesale competitors responded to the 2021 Rocket ban by lowering mortgage rates,

Industry News
Jul 15, 2026
First Major Housing Reform In Decades Becomes Law Without Trump's Signature

Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act advances supply, construction, and mortgage reforms despite White House protest

Industry News
Jul 10, 2026
Mortgage Star Conference Honors Women Shaping The Future Of Mortgage Leadership

MWLC honors leaders driving innovation, mentorship, and growth across the mortgage industry

Industry News
Jul 09, 2026
June Jobs Report Improves Mortgage Rate Outlook

Slower hiring strengthens bonds and eases concerns over additional Fed tightening

Industry News
Jul 02, 2026
NEXA Founder Mike Kortas Launches evoLend To Help Originators Retain Borrowers

New Fannie Mae-, Freddie Mac- and Ginnie Mae-approved mortgage servicer aims to keep originators connected to borrowers through servicing data, payoff visibility and retention tools

Industry News
Jul 02, 2026