RE/MAX: Inventory Surge Eases Buyer Competition, Market Moving Toward Balance

RE/MAX data signals inventory shift that could ease buyer competition

DENVER, Feb 17 (Reuters) — RE/MAX’s January National Housing Report shows the U.S. housing market is moving toward greater balance as new supply surges and year‑over‑year inventory gains continue. The report records a steep 32.0% drop in closed sales from December and a 6.0% decline from January 2025, while new listings jump 61.8% month‑over‑month and sit 3.8% below last January. Across 52 metro areas, active inventory is essentially flat from December (‑0.1%) but up 10.9% from a year earlier, marking the 25th consecutive month of annual inventory gains that are loosening the tight conditions buyers faced in recent years.

Market tempo and pricing data in the RE/MAX report reinforce a softer, more orderly environment for transactions. Median days on market rise to 62, up from 61 in December and 56 a year earlier, and months’ supply stands at 3.1 — lower than December but above the level a year ago — suggesting more options for buyers without runaway inventory accumulation. The median sales price is $425,000, down 2.0% from December but still 1.0% higher year‑over‑year, and buyers continue to pay about 98% of the asking price. RE/MAX CEO Erik Carlson says higher inventory and a jump in new listings give buyers more options and signal movement toward market balance, urging consumers to use experienced professionals to make strategic decisions as the industry enters 2026.

Industry analysts and RE/MAX executives say sustained YoY inventory gains together with modest price appreciation could reduce bidding pressure and support an orderly recovery in transaction volumes if trends persist. The January pattern — elevated new listings and softer closings — reflects seasonal swings but also points to improving supply dynamics that are central to RE/MAX’s national and local brokerage strategies. For RE/MAX agents and broker‑owners, a more balanced market shifts emphasis toward client service, pricing strategy and inventory marketing rather than navigating extreme seller competition.

Leadership moves aim to accelerate global growth

On Feb. 18, RE/MAX strengthens its global leadership, promoting Chris Lim to President while he retains his role as Chief Growth Officer, and adding Pierre Montagna as Vice President of Global Sales and Lisa Sennstrom as Director of Global Sales. The appointments are designed to deepen affiliate support, speed international expansion and back a network of more than 145,000 agents across 8,500 offices.

Denver illustrates the seasonal swing at play

Locally, Denver records a 155.4% month‑over‑month surge in new listings and a 36.0% MoM fall in closed transactions; brokers such as Christine Dupont‑Patz of RE/MAX of Cherry Creek attribute the sharp month‑to‑month moves largely to seasonal patterns.