How Rising Inventory Levels Are Shaping Buyer Decisions This Spring?

Key takeaways for buyers and investors: 

• Stay updated on local inventory trends — follow neighborhoods where inventory is increasing. 

• Leverage the ability to negotiate and avoid bidding wars. 

• Use Pulsereal’s data to identify markets with both rising inventory and long-term growth potential. 

• Don’t wait too long — if inventory starts to shrink, competition will heat up again. 

The spring home-buying season is officially here, and this year’s market is showing a surprising twist — rising inventory levels. According to recent data, housing inventory has reached its highest level since 2019. For buyers and investors, this trend means more choices, less pressure, and a chance to make smarter, more deliberate decisions. 

For homebuyers, increased inventory means they can finally breathe. In previous years, buyers often rushed into offers fearing they'd lose out. But with more homes on the market, buyers can now compare properties, negotiate better terms, and avoid overpaying. It’s a market that allows for thorough consideration, and this breathing space can lead to much more satisfying outcomes. 

For investors, particularly those focused on flipping or short-term rentals, higher inventory opens new doors. More properties available mean more opportunities to buy at competitive prices, especially as some sellers adjust expectations to attract offers. It also allows investors to be strategic — focusing on homes in growing neighborhoods or emerging secondary markets. 

Pulsereal data shows that markets with rising inventory levels are witnessing a softening of bidding wars, giving buyers and investors leverage. But savvy players know timing is everything. As inventory spikes, prices may temporarily stabilize or dip, creating a window of opportunity. But come mid-summer, if demand picks up, prices could bounce back. 

Some smaller cities and secondary markets are showing fascinating trends. For instance, Kerhonkson, New York, has seen a jaw-dropping median list price jump of 292.8% month-over-month. Maysville, Oklahoma, follows with a 49.2% increase, and Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri, has surged by 30%. These explosive increases indicate high investor activity and growing demand in secondary markets that might have been overlooked in previous years. 

Even smaller towns like Edgar, Wisconsin (+17.39%), Byron, California (+13.33%), and Long Hill, Connecticut (+11.6%) are seeing significant price shifts. For investors, this shows where future demand is brewing — making these areas ripe for flips or short-term rental properties that can ride the wave of increasing property values. 

What does this mean for buyers and investors right now? 

• In hot markets like Kerhonkson or Maysville, speed and competitive offers are still key — despite the broader inventory surge. 

• In more balanced markets, this could be the time to negotiate, especially as sellers adjust to the new reality of more available listings. 

• For short-term rental investors, markets with growing inventory and price spikes are golden opportunities. They can secure properties before prices soar even higher, then benefit from both appreciation and rental income. 

This spring, timing and data-driven decision-making are key. The smart ones will buy or invest strategically — making the most of this rare breathing space in the market and leveraging hyper-local trends shown in Pulsereal’s live data. Those who move with insight now are likely to see stronger ROI by the end of 2025.