Inventory Slows, But Vermonters Aren’t Panicking — And That’s a Good Thing

Let’s cut through the noise. National housing inventory is inching up—not dramatically. Price cuts are showing, yet buyers remain resilient. But here in Vermont, our market is moving at its own steady pace.

What’s Really Happening in Vermont

Steady seller confidence: Unlike during the 2008 crash, Vermonters are holding onto their homes—new listings remain controlled, not chaotic.
Buyer demand persists: Purchase application activity has risen nationally for 20 weeks straight even with 7%‑plus mortgage rates—and that energy is mirrored in towns like Stowe, Waterbury, and Waitsfield.
Pending sales stable: Weekly pending transactions are holding slightly above last year’s levels. We’re shifting gears, not hitting the brakes.

Why Vermont Is Built for This Market

Market stability: We didn’t overbuild in the 2010s, so excess inventory isn’t looming.
Lifestyle-driven buyers: Vermont’s appeal attracts hikers, skiers, remote workers—and not just house‑flippers.
Informed sellers: Homeowners trust local experts—like Tony and the NELandmark team—to price and time their moves perfectly.

My Take: What to Watch Next

Price reductions: Nationally, cuts have reached ~40%, and Vermont is seeing similar patterns—especially in Chittenden & Lamoille counties for listings over $800K.
Mortgage rate trends: A drop of 0.6–0.8% could energize late‑summer activity.
Buyer decision time: High rates may slow things down—first impressions (price, staging, marketing) are more important than ever.

Bottom Line

This isn’t a crash. It isn’t a bubble. It’s a market reset—and Vermont is balancing better than most regions. Moves here remain intentional, lifestyle-focused, not speculative.