Limited Inventory Keeps Pressure on Buyers

The Washtenaw County housing market continues to move through spring with buyer demand remaining stronger than overall sales activity would suggest. New listings remain well below last year’s pace, limiting buyer choices and constraining both pending and closed sales. While April listings rose seasonally from March, inventory levels remain tight compared to both last year and historical norms.

Despite fewer transactions, competition for high-quality homes remains intense. Well prepared listings in established neighborhoods continue to attract strong activity and quick offers. In April, closed sales rose 32% from March, while average sale price climbed to $533k. At the same time, nearly two-thirds of recent sales closed at or above asking price, reinforcing that buyers are still willing to compete aggressively for the right property.

The challenge for many buyers is simply a lack of quality options. YTD new listings are down 16% from last year, while inventory entering May remained below 2025 levels. As a result, many buyers continue waiting for the right home rather than compromising on condition or location. Listings that are well-priced and well-presented are still moving quickly, while overpriced or outdated homes are seeing longer market times and increasing price sensitivity.

Looking ahead, the next two months should bring the highest level of new listing activity of the year, helping improve buyer selection somewhat through early summer. However, unless listing activity rises more substantially, inventory shortages will likely continue supporting price stability. Buyers should be prepared to move quickly when desirable homes hit the market, while sellers should recognize that strong early activity remains the clearest indicator that pricing and presentation are aligned with current market expectations.