Inventory Is Making a Comeback in 2026
For the past few years, buyers were fighting over crumbs. Too many people. Not enough homes. It felt rushed, stressful, and honestly exhausting.
But that’s starting to change.
If you’re wondering what this shift means for your specific home in Richmond, El Sobrante, Pinole, Hercules, or the greater Bay Area, request a personalized home value here → Home Valuation
According to Realtor.com, the number of homes available for sale in January was the highest it’s been since 2020. Here’s why that’s such a big deal. Getting back to pre-pandemic levels signals a slow and steady return to what’s typical:
Inventory has been quietly building back up over the last year. In fact, Realtor.com reports that January had the highest number of homes for sale since 2020. That matters.
Pricing correctly in 2026 is everything. See what homes are actually selling for in West Contra Costa.
Now let me be clear. We are not fully back to pre-pandemic normal nationwide. And more inventory doesn’t magically fix everything overnight. But the shift is real.
When there are more homes on the market:
-
Buyers have more options
-
You don’t feel as rushed
- Negotiating power starts to balance out
Before you list, get a strategy tailored to today’s shifting market conditions. Schedule a consultation.
And that changes the whole experience.
Here’s something even more interesting. Just over a year ago, only 41 of the top 200 metro areas were back to normal inventory levels. By the end of last year, that number jumped to 90. That’s almost half the country.
Looking ahead, forecasts suggest the number of homes for sale could rise another 10% this year, which means even more markets should join the list of places where supply has rebounded.
Not sure if now is the right time to buy in the Bay Area? Let’s run the numbers together. See available Bay Area Homes for Sale Now!
Here’s a graph that shows what an extra 10% would do for the market this year. You can see that projected growth (shown in the dotted line) hits inventory levels seen in 2017-2019 by roughly this fall (the gray lines). That means we may reach normal by end of year, nationally:
Translation? The market is starting to work with buyers again instead of against them.
Is it perfect? No.
Is it better? Absolutely.
If you’ve been waiting for a little breathing room, this is the best setup buyers have had in a long time.
If you want to know what this looks like right here in our local market, let’s talk.
More Bay Area Real Estate Insights
Thinking About Buying or Selling in 2026?
The market is shifting, and strategy matters more than ever.
Whether you're buying your first home, moving up, downsizing, or investing, I can help you navigate today’s market with clarity and confidence.
📍 Serving Richmond, El Sobrante, Pinole, Hercules, and the Greater Bay Area
📞 Call or Text: 510-725-8885
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: https://theazagragroup.com
LaDonna Azagra | Realtor
The Azagra Group Powered by Compass
