January saw new listings surge 53.7% from just one month prior, according to the latest RE/MAX National Housing Report.
Many would-be home sellers started the new year by taking the first big step toward their real estate goals. New listings skyrocketed 53.7% across the U.S. from December 2024 to January 2025 – and housing inventory rose 5% in that same timeframe.
This was revealed in the latest RE/MAX National Housing Report, which aggregated data from 52 metro areas for a comprehensive look at the country’s current homebuying and selling trends.
The report also showed total housing inventory up 30.9% year-over-year in January, signaling promise for buyers ahead of spring. Erik Carlson, CEO of RE/MAX Holdings, weighed in on the update.
“This is about what we expected. January is typically a quiet month due to the winter weather and the holidays wrapping up, but the market remained relatively active – with home sales 6% higher than last year,” he says. “Buyers who needed to move took advantage of the increased inventory, and sellers benefited from having motivated buyers out there looking at homes.”
What does higher inventory mean for the market?
In the January RE/MAX report, the average number of days a home spent on the market was 55 – up two days from the month prior and up nine days year-over-year. The increased days on market, along with new listings, can be factors in the growing inventory.
This is welcome news to prospective homebuyers who have been waiting on the sidelines to make their move. More inventory means more choice – and pursuing a home that’s seen more days on market could add some wiggle room during price negotiations.
Speaking of price: In January, median sales price of the surveyed metro areas dipped 1.8% from December, to $422,000. Compared to one year ago, however, it was up around $21,000.
Market metrics like new listings, inventory, pricing and more vary greatly across markets. For example, Seattle, Washington, saw a 32.9% annual increase of new listings in January, whereas Bozeman, Montana, saw a 31.9% decrease of new listings. And Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, saw median sales price jump 15.1% in January from the year prior, whereas Tampa, Florida, saw median sales price drop 3.5% over the same timeframe.
The variances in each metro area underscore the importance of working with a local expert who has a deep understanding for that market’s specific conditions. A trusted real estate agent can provide expert guidance, leverage their skillset, and help ensure a smooth transaction every step of the way.
Ready to make a move? Get in touch with a local RE/MAX agent today.
Article originally appeared on RE/MAX.com.
