Activity Index and Inventory Trends

​

The housing market activity for active residential listings has seen significant fluctuations over the recent months, as reflected in the latest metrics. Currently, the activity index sits at 22.7%, with the months of inventory recorded at 4.76. These two metrics provide an insightful perspective on the market's current dynamics and trends.

The activity index measures the ratio of pending to active listings, offering a clear picture of market engagement. Over the observed period, the activity index has shown notable variations, with highs exceeding 35% in early 2023 and lows nearing 22% in mid-2024. This decline indicates a slowing demand in the residential sales market compared to earlier peaks. However, the recent stability at 22.7% suggests a potential plateau, where buyer activity and seller listings are beginning to balance.

​

Meanwhile, the months of inventory metric complements the activity index by reflecting the time required to sell the current inventory at the current pace of sales. At 4.76 months, the current inventory levels hover near the upper limit of a balanced market, which typically ranges between four and six months. This trend marks a slight improvement compared to previous highs in 2024 when inventory levels climbed closer to six months, signaling slower sales cycles.

The interplay between these two metrics is visually evident in the chart. As the activity index declined, the months of inventory saw a corresponding increase. This inverse relationship suggests that the market has shifted from a seller-driven market to one that leans more neutral, if not slightly favoring buyers.

This data underscores the evolving nature of the real estate landscape, with current conditions pointing to stabilization after months of fluctuating demand and supply. For buyers, this environment offers increased inventory and more time to make decisions, while sellers may need to adopt competitive pricing strategies to attract offers.