RE/MAX: Inventory Growth Highest in 10 Years – NMP
Industry News

RE/MAX: Inventory Growth Highest in 10 Years

Feb 19, 2019
Do you agree with me that today’s housing supply has narrowed, and mortgage demand is uncertain

January recorded the greatest year-over-year growth in housing inventory in 10 years, according to new data from RE/MAX.
 
Although the number of homes for sale in January was down by 2.6 percent from December, it was up 6.4 percent from January 2018. This broke the previous record for inventory growth recorded by RE/MAX from December 2018, when the annualized growth was 4.7 percent.
 
But despite a wider selection of homes available, sales activity was desultory. Of the 54 metro areas tracked by RE/MAX in January, the overall average number of home sales was down 26.1 percent compared to December and down 11 percent compared to January 2018. Billings, Mont., was the only major metro with an increase in sales year-over-year, at 7.1 percent. The median sales price of all 54 metros in this data report was $234,000, down 2.5 percent from December and up 4.6 percent from January 2018.
 
"The winter chill extended to the housing market in January, as home sales remained cool," said RE/MAX CEO Adam Contos. "The good news is that inventory levels in January continued to rise on a year-over-year basis, providing incremental improvement in what's been a multi-year shortage of for-sale homes. This is a positive for homebuyers, as the market continues to swing their way."
 
About the author
Phil Hall
Link copied
Published
Feb 19, 2019
Get the NMP Daily
Sales and Marketing
How Originators Are Getting First-Time Buyers To The Closing Table

Three originators shared their first-time buyer strategies during the latest installment of NMP Ignite

The Loan Originators helping first-time buyers in 2026 are not relying on a better mortgage rate to solve every affordability problem.During the latest NMP Ignite webinar, three originators shared distinct approaches to getting buyers to the closing table, from structuring s...

Continue reading
Regulation and Compliance
ROAD Act’s Housing Incentive May Be Too Small To Move Supply

Realtor.com finds the median city risks losing only about $84,000, although the policy could carry more weight in supply-starved Northeast and Midwest markets

A key housing-supply provision in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act may be too small to unlock meaningful purchase inventory in most markets, according to a Realtor.com analysis.The provision ties a portion of municipalities’ Community Development Block Grant funding to h...

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