Momentum Builds: Nearly 450,000 Homes Hit the Market in September, Inventory Up 22%
Something’s shifting in real estate — and this time, it’s not just the mortgage rates.
According to a new report by Moira Ritter at Homes.com, nearly 450,000 homes were listed for sale in September — an unusual late-year surge that signals real momentum in the housing market.
Momentum Is Building
Ritter’s analysis revealed an 8.1% increase in for-sale listings compared to the same time last year — roughly 33,800 more homes hitting the market this September than in 2024.
When you include properties already listed, total active inventory climbed to 1.4 million homes, up 22% year-over-year. That marks the ninth straight month of growth and the highest inventory level since July 2019.
After years of record-low listings and frustrated buyers, this is a long-awaited sign that balance might finally be returning.
The Market’s Balancing Act
With inventory up and prices holding steady, analysts say the market may be finding its sweet spot.
Home price appreciation has slowed — but not reversed — meaning buyer demand remains strong enough to support current values.
As Erika Ludvigsen, national director of residential analytics at Homes.com, explained:
“The housing market is showing some signs of improvement, supported by a slight decline in mortgage rates and continued income growth.”
That’s the kind of slow, steady correction real estate agents dream about — not a crash, but a cool-down that gives both sides a fair shot.
Where Inventory Is Rising Fastest
Out of 941 metro areas tracked by Homes.com, 94% saw an increase in total listings compared to last September — the highest share on record.
The biggest gains came from the Sun Belt and Midwest, continuing a trend we’ve seen since mid-year.
Among the top movers:
Columbus, OH
Raleigh, NC
Miami, FL
Atlanta, GA
Only two markets — San Francisco and San Antonio — saw declines in available homes.
That’s a pretty clear pattern: the regions that overheated during the pandemic boom are now leveling off, while the rest of the country catches its breath.
What This Means for Buyers
If you’ve been waiting for more options, the tide might finally be turning.
With inventory up for nine straight months, buyers can afford to be a little pickier — and in some cases, a little bolder with negotiations.
More listings mean less competition and more breathing room.
Combine that with slightly softer rates and stable pricing, and this fall might quietly become one of the most balanced buying windows we’ve seen since 2019.
What It Means for Sellers
For sellers, this isn’t bad news — it’s a reality check.
When buyers have more choices, presentation and pricing become non-negotiable.
If your home’s been sitting, or if you’re planning to list before the holidays, now’s the time to lean into marketing, prep, and strategy.
Homes that are clean, updated, and priced correctly are still commanding attention — the rest are getting passed over.
Dan’s Take
Momentum doesn’t mean madness — it means opportunity.
This market isn’t heating up or freezing over; it’s finding rhythm again.
That’s good news for anyone who plays the game right.
Sellers who adapt quickly will win. Buyers who stay patient and decisive will find value.
Everyone else will be left wondering what happened.
If you’ve been waiting for “the right time,” this might be it — because the market is finally moving, and you want to move with it, not behind it.
Final Thoughts
Nearly 450,000 new listings in one month is a milestone that marks a genuine shift in housing momentum.
It’s proof that confidence is returning, sellers are stepping back into the market, and buyers are finally getting choices again.
The housing market isn’t broken — it’s just balancing itself out.
Need help reading the local trends here in Maryland?
Let’s talk strategy. Whether it’s pricing your home for success or finding the right property before the next rate swing, I’ll help you make sense of the data and move smart.
? Dan McDevitt | Cummings & Company Realtors
President, Realvolution Homes Group
www.RealvolutionHomes.com
Source: “Nearly 450,000 Homes Listed in September, a Signal That Momentum Is Building, Homes.com Data Reveals” by Moira Ritter, Homes.com, October 2025.
