Inventory levels in Washtenaw County are higher than they were a year ago, and unlike some surrounding markets, the reasons are straightforward.
Compared to last December, the number of homes for sale in Washtenaw County has increased by about 9% (from roughly 370 homes to just over 400 homes).
One factor is simple math: more homes have been listed than sold this year. Year-to-date, new listings are up about 11%, while closed sales are up about 5%. That gap alone has allowed inventory to grow.
At the same time, homes are also taking longer to sell. While demand remains solid for well-priced, move-in-ready properties which continue to sell quickly, listings that are overpriced or need work are sitting longer on the market. The current average days on market (DOM) for active listings that have yet to accept an offer is up to 99 days. As homes remain available for longer periods, they begin to accumulate, further pushing inventory higher.
For sellers, this means pricing and preparation matter more than they did a year ago. Homes that are competitively priced and in good condition continue to attract strong interest, while others may require price adjustments or more time to sell.
For buyers, rising inventory provides more options and more breathing room. While competition still exists for the best homes, buyers generally have more time to make decisions and less pressure to act immediately.
This combination — more listings coming on the market and longer selling times — is typical of a housing market transitioning away from the unusually fast, seller-driven conditions of the past few years and toward a more balanced pace.
