Inventory shortage means good news for sellers.

If you’re like me, when you started the buying process you might have wondered why some houses are so outrageously priced and others are not. There are many factors that come in to play such as mortgage rates and availability, economic growth and personal demographics. But when prospective buyers are shopping their market, the one factor they may overlook is inventory shortage.

Real estate inventory is the quantity of houses that are available for purchase in any given market. When I’m out showing people properties, clients always amazed at how few mid-range homes there are. Clients also can’t believe how quickly they go.

The only time that inventory is a problem for home buyers is when the inventory is low. Basic economics. High demand and low supply  yields high price tags for buyers. However, if you’re looking to sell, this is great news for you. The fewer homes available, the higher the price tag on your home.

In our current market in the Pacific Northwest, there has been an inventory shortage for several years.  Due to the shortage, people are staying in their homes longer and moving less. Contractors are also in a bind because of the inventory shortages are causing prices to shoot through the room. Contractors don’t get paid for homes that sell for less than their cost for production, making them less inclined to build for fear of not making a profit.

In this quick video Matthew Gardner, Windermere’s chief Economist, breaks down the inventory shortage and it’s side effects. He also gives us a forecast for what might be to come.

How inventory shortages are impacting the housing market