The "Number of Listings" shows the supply, or how many properties are for sale. Is the inventory of listings increasing or decreasing, and is it seasonal?
Source: MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
Our opinion of what it meansJanuary 2012: As of the first week in January, there were 705 listings, down 9% from 773 listings one year ago at this time.
BACKGROUND: The number of properties for sale is seasonal. Each year, December and January have the fewest number of homes for sale, because people don't like to show their homes during the holiday season. And each year, the highest number of homes for sale is in the summer, because it is more convenient to sell your home in the summer. Note this repeating annual pattern in the above graph.