Paused Your Moving Plans? Here’s Why It Might Be Time To Hit Play Again

Paused Your Moving Plans? Here’s Why It Might Be Time To Hit Play Again

Last year, 70% of buyers abandoned their home search – and maybe you were one of them. It makes sense. Inventory was low, prices were high, and mortgage rates were up and down like a rollercoaster. All of that made it really hard to find a home you loved – and could afford.

But guess what? The market is shifting.

So, if you paused your moving plans in 2024, it might be time to hit play again. Here’s why.

More Inventory Opens Up More Options

Even if you could make the numbers work, the lack of available homes in recent years probably made it hard to find something that fit your needs. But inventory is rising, which means you have more options now in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch.

According to Realtor.com, inventory has jumped 27.5% since this time last year. So, if you were hesitant to list your house because you weren’t sure where you’d go next, you now have more choices than you did a year ago. That’s a big win for both buyers and sellers. (see graph below):

Homes Are Staying on the Market Longer, Too

When the supply of homes for sale is low, they get snatched up quickly. A few years ago, that meant homes in Southwest Florida could sell overnight. While that’s not always a bad thing, a slower pace gives you more flexibility if you're buying and selling at the same time.

Now that inventory has grown, homes are staying on the market longer, meaning you don’t have to feel as rushed in the process. The latest data shows the typical time homes spent on the market went up by about 8% this year – that’s higher than we’ve seen since 2020, but still faster than pre-pandemic levels.(see graph below):

This added time gives buyers more opportunity to explore their options and sellers a chance to attract the right buyers. As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com, notes:

“There are more homes for sale than in the last few years, which means the market pace is a bit more manageable–with longer days on market–and many sellers are more flexible . . . Though buyers face still-high housing costs, they may find a bit more give in the market, which could give them more time to make a decision, even in the busy spring and summer months.”

And if you’re thinking – but wait – doesn’t that mean it will be harder to sell my house? Don’t worry. With inventory still almost 23% below the pre-pandemic norm, well-priced homes are selling, especially as more buyers step back into the market this season.

Bottom Line

With growing inventory, sellers who want to upgrade, downsize, or relocate within Sarasota, Venice, or Lakewood Ranch have more choices. Plus, with less pressure to rush into an offer, it could be a great time to revisit your home search if you’ve put it on hold.

With more homes on the market and more time to make decisions, what else do you need to see to kickstart your home search again? Let’s talk about what’s happening in our local market right now.