Buyers didn’t ease back into the market this year — they surged. Showings per listing jumped 58% in a single month, snapping back to near spring-level traffic in January. That kind of move doesn’t happen quietly. It signals urgency. It tells us buyers are active, engaged, and out looking — right now.

• +58% jump in showings in one month
• Over 12,000 Showings per Week
• ~10,000 fewer homes on the market than warm months
• 42% higher showings per listing vs summer average
• More attention per listing
• Less competition per seller
• Early momentum = stronger negotiating position
• Demand is rising faster than supply
• January 2026: 16,414 active listings
• Average May–September 2025: ~25,900 listings

At the same time, inventory is still running roughly 10,000 homes below normal warm-month levels. That means fewer choices for buyers and more concentrated attention on the homes that are available. When demand rises before supply catches up, leverage shifts. Listings that are well-prepared and strategically positioned capture a larger share of activity.

This is the window most sellers wait for without realizing it’s already here. More buyers. Fewer competitors. Stronger showing velocity. If you’re thinking about selling in the next few months, the data suggests you don’t need to wait for spring — spring may have already started.

The Metric That Actually Matters: Showings Per Listing

You and I don’t get paid on total showings across the MLS. We care about how many showings your listing gets.

January’s 6.0 showings per listing is about 42% higher than the warm-month average of roughly 4.2.

That means each well-positioned home right now is capturing a significantly larger share of buyer attention than it likely will once spring inventory floods the market.

Why This Window Doesn’t Stay Open

Historically, inventory ramps up in late February, March, and April.

When that happens:

• Buyer attention spreads out.
• Showings per listing normalize.
• Sellers face more competition.
• Leverage shifts subtly back toward buyers.

Right now, we have:

• Spring-level buyer energy
• Winter-level competition

That imbalance rarely lasts long.

This isn’t hype. It’s math.

 More buyers. Fewer homes. Higher showing velocity.

What This Means for You

If you’re considering selling in the next 60–120 days, waiting for “spring” may not be necessary.

Spring activity is already here.

The opportunity right now is to:

1. Prepare the home properly (presentation drives perception).
2. Launch marketing while demand is rising.
3. Price strategically to trigger early momentum.
4. Capture attention before inventory climbs.

Early momentum matters.
The strongest offers often come when buyers are excited and options are limited.

If you want to capitalize on that momentum instead of competing against it later, let’s talk about how to launch your home while the advantage is still yours.