What’s The Tea with 4D? 🍵

Hello Tea Time friends. I decided to change up the usual Tuesday Tea Time talk with a nod to Monday and this one in particular. Memorial Day. Memorial Day has always felt like more than a date on the calendar. Sure, it signals the start of summer—backyard cookouts, kids playing in sprinklers, and the scent of sunscreen in the air. But behind the picnics and parades is a rich history and a deep, personal meaning that deserves our attention.

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day began after the Civil War, a time when communities across the country would gather to place flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers. It was a gesture of love, remembrance, and healing for a nation that had endured immense loss. Over time, the day grew to honor all U.S. military personnel who gave their lives in service, and in 1971, it was officially recognized as a federal holiday.

Many of us have served in the military or have family members and friends who have served in the military. In my case, my grandfather, father, stepfather and numerous friends served. I think about the sacrifice it requires to dedicate a portion of your life to this kind of courageous commitment and it humbles me.

It’s not about politics or grand gestures. It’s about human stories. It’s about acknowledging the lives cut short and the families forever changed. And it’s about carrying forward a legacy of gratitude—not just today, but every day.

As we gather with loved ones this weekend, let’s take a moment to remember why we have this day at all. Because behind every flag waving in the wind is a story worth honoring.

Thinking about your next steps in real estate? Let’s meet for coffee or tea to discuss your plans—my treat! 🧡

Whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring possibilities, I’m here to offer clear guidance and help you feel confident moving forward.

Use the button below to pick a date and time that works for you. Once booked, I’ll reach out directly to confirm the details, and we’ll go from there.

Now is the time to focus on your real estate plans and turn them into reality. Let’s make it happen together! 🏘️

Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash.

But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad news. It’s actually a sign of the market returning to a more stable, healthy place.

What’s Going on With Inventory?

Based on the latest data from Realtor.com, inventory just hit its highest point since 2020, shown with the white line in the graph below.

But what you need to realize is, at the same time, inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms (shown in gray):

That means there are more homes for sale now than there have been in quite some time.

And while it’s true inventory is up significantly compared to where it was over the last few years, the number of homes on the market is still well below typical levels. And that’s important context.

Why This Isn’t the Problem A Lot of People Think It Is

Some people hear inventory’s rising and immediately think about 2008. Because back then, inventory spiked just before the market crashed. But today’s situation is very different.

Here’s the key reason why. We don’t have a surplus of homes; we have a deficit to climb out of. What we’re dealing with is a long-term housing shortage – and it’s a big one.

The red bars in the graph below show all the years where housing starts (new builds) didn’t keep up with household formation, going all the way back to 2012. The deeper the bars in the graph, the more the housing deficit grew (see graph below):

And one of the reasons this housing shortage kept growing is because new home construction just didn’t keep up with the number of people who need to buy homes. In fact, the U.S. is actually short millions of homes at this point, and it will take years to overcome that gap. Realtor.com says:

That means, in most areas, there isn’t a risk of having too many houses on the market right now. It’s quite the opposite – a vast majority of markets actually need more homes.

Which is why, even though inventory is rising, it’s not a problem on a national scale. It’s just helping to fill a gap that’s been growing for years.

Bottom Line

Don’t let the headlines scare you. Rising inventory isn’t a sign of a crash. It’s a step toward a more normal, stable housing market.