Whether or not you’ve been following the real estate industry lately, there’s a good chance you’ve heard we’re in a serious sellers’ market. But what does that mean? And why are conditions today so good for people who want to list their house?

It starts with the number of houses available for sale. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that the housing supply is still astonishingly low. At the current sales pace, we have a 2.6-month supply of homes.

Historically, a 6-month supply is necessary for a ‘normal’ or ‘neutral’ market in which enough homes are available for active buyers (see graph).

When the supply of houses for sale is as low as it is right now, it’s much harder for buyers to find homes to purchase. That creates increased competition among purchasers, which leads to more bidding wars. And if buyers know they may be entering a bidding war, they’ll do their best to submit a very attractive offer. As this happens, home prices rise, and sellers are in the best position to negotiate deals that meet their ideal terms.

Right now, many buyers are ready, willing, and able to purchase a home. Low mortgage rates and the ongoing rise in remote work have prompted buyers to think differently about where they live—and they’re taking action. If you put your house on the market while supply is still low, it will likely get a lot of attention from competitive buyers.

What Real Estate Experts Are Saying: Bottom Line

Today’s ultimate sellers’ market holds tremendous opportunities for homeowners ready to move. Listing your house now will maximize your exposure to serious buyers who will actively compete against each other to purchase it. Let’s connect with real estate professionals in Chicago at KM Realty Group LLC to discuss how to jumpstart the selling process.