Inventory Is Making a Comeback in 2026
For the first time in a while, buyers are getting a little breathing room.
More homes are coming on the market, and that means you don’t have to sprint to every showing and throw out your wish list. If you’ve been waiting for things to feel more normal, 2026 is trending that way, including here in Connecticut.
We’ve got more homes to choose from
In plain English, inventory is just the number of homes for sale. And right now, it’s finally climbing.
Realtor.com reports January 2025 had the highest number of homes for sale since 2020 (Realtor.com). That’s a big shift from the last few years where choices were tight and competition was intense.
More inventory doesn’t solve everything overnight, but it does take the edge off. Fewer rushed decisions. More chances to compare options. A more balanced pace.
What this changes for buyers
When there are more homes for sale, you get three things back: time, options, and leverage.
Time: You’re less likely to feel like you have to decide the same day.
Options: You can compare homes instead of settling for “good enough.”
Leverage: Negotiating feels possible again, especially around inspections and closing costs.
A quick beginner note: leverage just means you have a little more room to ask for what you want because the seller isn’t automatically getting 10 offers in a weekend (NAR).
This doesn’t mean every home will sit. Great homes still move fast. But overall, the vibe is calmer.
A lot of the country is normal again (inventory wise)
This comeback isn’t happening evenly. Some markets are still tight, and others are basically back to normal.
ResiClub’s Lance Lambert tracked the 200 largest US metro areas and found that 90 out of 200 metros were back to normal inventory levels by the end of 2024, up from 41 in January 2024 (ResiClub).
That’s a real reset in a short window.
Forecasts say inventory could grow again
The expectation right now is about 10% more inventory this year in many forecasts (Realtor.com). If that plays out, more areas should move into that “normal” range.
Realtor.com’s Hannah Jones has also pointed out that conditions are gradually rebalancing, with buyers starting to see more options and modest negotiating power as inventory improves (Realtor.com).
Translation: you may not have to feel like every offer is a lottery ticket.
What I’m seeing in Connecticut
Connecticut still has pockets of low supply, but the direction is better than it was. More listings means more chances to find something that fits, and less pressure to “make it work” with a home that doesn’t.
In Windham County and the Quiet Corner, buyers looking in places like Pomfret, Woodstock, Thompson, and Brooklyn are starting to see more choices pop up.
Same story if you’re watching Putnam, Killingly, or Windham: more options makes the search feel way more doable.
The simple takeaway
If you’re buying, this is why the inventory comeback matters:
You can stick to your priorities (layout, location, condition, price).
You can negotiate like a normal person again on inspections and terms.
You can slow down enough to make a smart decision.
And if you’re selling, it’s a reminder that pricing and presentation matter more as buyers get more choices (NAR).
Bottom line
Inventory is improving. Nationally, it’s the highest since 2020 (Realtor.com). More metros are back to normal 90 out of 200 (ResiClub). And forecasts point to around 10% growth in inventory, which could keep cooling the chaos (Realtor.com).
If you want the real story for your town, that’s where local data matters. National headlines won’t tell you if the home you like in Eastford or Ashford is priced right, or whether Sterling has more options this month than last.
Message me 'MARKET' and I'll break it down for your specific situation: no pressure, just real answers. Or call me at 860-985-4363 or visit melindatherealtor.com for a free consultation. Never too busy for you to be my #1 client.
Sources
Realtor.com – U.S. Housing Inventory & Active Listings Trends
https://www.realtor.com/research
Primary source confirming inventory growth, highest active listings since 2020, and 2026 forecasts of continued supply increases.ResiClub Analytics – U.S. Inventory Recovery by Metro
https://www.resiclubanalytics.com
Tracks normalization across the 200 largest U.S. metros, including the statistic that ~90 metros returned to pre-pandemic inventory levels by late 2024.National Association of Realtors (NAR) – Housing Supply & Market Balance Data
https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics
Explains months-of-supply benchmarks, buyer leverage shifts, and how rising inventory affects negotiations and market balance.Freddie Mac – Housing Supply & Shortage Estimates
https://www.freddiemac.com/research
Provides context on long-term U.S. housing shortages and why inventory recovery is gradual and uneven across regions.Connecticut Association of Realtors – State & County Inventory Reports
https://ctrealtors.com/market-data
Local Connecticut listing supply and months-of-inventory data supporting regional observations (Quiet Corner, Windham County, etc.).
