Spring is in full bloom, and so is the housing market. If you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, here’s the inside scoop on why this spring might be a great time to make your move.

1. There are more homes for sale. After a prolonged period of tight inventory, more homes are available for sale. Recent data from Realtor.com shows that active listings have increased by 27.5% compared to this time last year.

While inventory levels haven’t fully returned to pre-pandemic norms, they are higher than they’ve been heading into the spring market over the past few years. 

Buyers now have more choices and can be more selective in their home search. For sellers, the increased availability of homes means you’re more likely to find what you’re looking for when you move. And with inventory still below normal levels, there will be strong demand for your home when you decide to sell.

2. Home price growth is moderating. As inventory grows, home price growth is slowing down and is expected to continue into the spring market. More homes for sale means buyers have more options, reducing competition for each house. Rising supply and less competition cause price growth to slow, although prices should still remain positive in most markets. As Freddie Mac explains: 

"In 2025, we expect the pace of house price appreciation to moderate from the levels seen in 2024 while still maintaining a positive trajectory."

While national prices aren’t dropping, local markets vary. Some areas are experiencing stronger price growth, while others are cooling off or even seeing slight declines.

Buyers can find relief in the slower pace of price growth, as homes purchased now are likely to appreciate over time, helping you build equity. While prices are still rising, it’s important for sellers to adjust expectations. Overpricing your house could lead to longer selling times, so price your home competitively to attract offers.

“More homes available and stabilizing rates make this spring a prime time for buyers and sellers.”

3. Mortgage rates are stabilizing. One of the biggest challenges for buyers over the past couple of years has been high, unpredictable mortgage rates. But there’s good news: rates have stabilized in recent weeks and have even declined slightly since the start of the year.

While the drop hasn’t been dramatic, stabilizing mortgage rates has made buying a home more predictable. As Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, notes:

“With the spring homebuying season upon us, the recent improvements in mortgage rates may help invite homebuyers back into the market.”

When mortgage rates stabilize, planning becomes easier for buyers since you'll have a clearer idea of your future payments. However, remember that rates can still be volatile, so work closely with your agent and lender to understand how current rates impact your situation. For sellers, slightly lower and stabilizing rates encourage more buyers to take action, which is excellent news. Increased buyer activity means a better chance of selling your home quickly.

4. More buyers are returning. Buyers ' confidence is increasing with more inventory, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates. Demand is picking up, and data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows an increase in mortgage applications compared to earlier this year.

For buyers, acting sooner rather than later could be smart before competition heats up even more. This is great news for sellers—more buyers mean a better chance of selling your house quickly.

With more homes available, slower price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, how will this affect your decision to buy or sell this spring? If you have any questions about buying, selling, or investing, let’s connect and chat about how to create your plan for this season. Contact me at (804) 527-3948 or marc@marcshomes.net. I'm here to help.