New Reality? Buyers Face Fewer Choices

Many markets are seeing so few new listings that they may not be able to meet the strong buyer demand heading into real estate’s traditionally busiest season. Listings are down more than 7 percent compared to a year ago across the country, according to the latest data by the National Association of REALTORS®.

Where Homes Are Selling the Fastest

Realtor.com® inventory data shows the following metro areas had listings that stayed on the market the shortest amount of time in January:

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.: 43 days
  • San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, Calif.: 47 days
  • San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif.: 55 days
  • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Wash.: 57 days
  • Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn.: 58 days
  • Vallejo-Fairfield, Calif.: 58 days
  • Greeley, Colo.: 58 days

Source: National Association of REALTORS®

“Competition is likely to heat up even more heading into the spring for house hunters looking for homes in the lower- and mid-market price range,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

Read moreExisting-Home Sales Reach Decade High

Realtor.com® notes that the following markets are particularly very light on listings:

  • Chicago: -13% (active listings compared to a year ago)
  • Philadelphia: -14%
  • Washington: -15%
  • Seattle: -17%
  • Minneapolis: -18%
  • St. Louis: -12%
  • Baltimore: -16%
  • Cleveland: -18%
  • Orlando, Fla.: -19%

On the other hand, home shoppers may find more choices this year in a few select markets. Notably, Las Vegas is seeing an 18 percent increase in active listings compared to a year ago; Pittsburgh is seeing a 9 percent increase; and Houston and San Antonio are posting a 6 percent increase.

Guy Arnone

Guy Arnone is a California Licensed Real Estate Broker who belongs to a select group of individuals approved by the California Real Estate Commissioner to perform a special dual service in the real estate industry.


Guy started the Fred Sands of Valencia with five agents. By the time he sold/merged the office in 2009 to Coldwell Banker, Vintage Sotheby’s International Realty office (formerly Fred Sands) had over 150 agents in his organization. His company included mortgage,escrow, commercial and property management divisions and had grown to  be ranked the #3 office in their marketplace.


Licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate since 1986, Guy has been serving Southern California real estate needs for nearly over 30 years. From representing principals in all facets of real estate brokerage, financing, property management, development, and real estate investing to developing, growing and managing real estate companies.


Guy continues to rank among the top 10% Nationwide of all real estate professionals of transactions of residential, luxury, commercial and multi-residential real estate.


Guy has and continues to serve on many advisory boards including, Women with Vision, Title IX, The Northridge Hospital Foundation, We Are the World Real Estate, Children’s Hunger Fund and The Springbrook Foundation. He enjoys Sports, Art, Travel, History, Reading, Music, and spending time with friends and family. Guy has been married for over 26 years and has three children.