5 Cities With a Housing Surplus in 2026 – and How To Take Advantage
Could there be a home for you around the corner?
While the housing market has been challenging over the past few years, inventory is up in many metropolitan areas. According to a new report from Realtor.com, inventory increased in all four regions in 2025, with some cities seeing a 20-30% surge in available homes.
As reported by the real estate listing website, while we're not yet seeing a buyer's market in these cities, it does provide hopeful homeowners with more opportunities. More inventory means buyers have more options and more power. For potential buyers, here are the five cities with lots of home inventory in 2026 and what they can do to capitalize on the warming market.
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Washington, D.C.
Washington has seen a surge in home inventory. According to Realtor.com, the D.C. metro area saw a 32.8% increase in available houses compared to the previous year. That bump is relative, however, as the article noted that inventory was extremely low the year before and that outside factors, including an uncertain outlook for federal job employment, may be affecting the local market.
Reporting by FOX 5 D.C. highlighted the effect that economic conditions had on the housing market last year. According to the news report, a study showed that 40% of realtors in the area had clients who were selling their homes as a result of changes to federal spending.
On the bright side, the increased inventory presents an opportunity for buyers. As said by the experts with Realtor.com, with more options on the market, buyers can add in contingencies, negotiate for a better price or avoid settling for a less-than-desirable property.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is another metro area with soaring inventory. The city saw a 30.8% increase in inventory from the previous year. In the famed southern city, the rise in inventory may be attributed to several factors, including an increase in new construction.
According to Norada Real Estate Investments, the increase in inventory in Charlotte has moved the area from a purely seller's market towards a "more balanced market." That's good news for buyers, as they now have more leverage. They can take their time and be more selective, according to the real estate investment firm.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas has also seen a rise in the number of available properties over the past year. Realtor.com said the number of homes available has increased by 30.2% compared to the previous year.
The experts at Rocket Mortgage predict that the housing market will slowly return to normal in 2026, but they warn it may be a "cautious recovery." More houses on the market, along with lower interest rates, could help buyers who have been kept on the sidelines for the past few years. Potential buyers should do their homework by checking their credit score, saving for a down payment, getting preapproved and coming in with a strong offer if it's the right house, according to Rocket Mortgage.
Seattle
Home availability is also heating up in the northwest. Inventory increased 28.8% in Seattle, WA, compared to the previous year. The uptick in the number of homes for sale is likely because of lower rates, as indicated in the article.
Raleigh, North Carolina
New construction is one of the primary reasons for the 26.7% increase in inventory in The City of Oaks, according to the Realtor.com data. The National Association of Realtors named Raleigh one of the top 10 housing markets in 2026. The association pointed to "fast-growing income and better-aligned inventory" as some of the reasons that the area will provide the most opportunity for buyers.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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