States with the least—and most—housing market inventory heading into the fall

As someone who's spent over four decades helping clients navigate the Lake of the Ozarks real estate market, I keep a close eye on national housing trends that shape local opportunities. This year, national housing inventory saw a modest 2.1% rise from July 2025 to July 2026—a significant slowdown compared to last year’s 24.7% jump. Even with this increase, we’re still 9.1% below 2019 inventory levels, and areas like the Midwest and Northeast remain especially competitive. Active listings did grow by 23,465 homes, but low inventory continues to define our market. Staying informed on these shifts is a key part of making transactions as smooth and stress-free as possible for my clients, no matter the season.