Jonelle and I have been closely watching the housing market. Over the past few months, buyer activity has been remarkably low. Yet, despite the sluggish pace, there’s a positive sign—for the first time in a while, we note that there are more houses to choose from than we’ve seen in years.

The Current Mortgage Rate Landscape

We’ve been monitoring mortgage rates like hawks. According to Homes.com, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage recently dipped to 6.5%, marking a new low for 2025—but still above where we were a year ago at 6.35% Homes.com. The daily rate even briefly fell to 6.49% Homes.com. Similarly, the 15-year fixed-rate slid to around 5.6% Homes.com.

These numbers align with trends noted by Redfin and the NAR—mortgage rates are hovering in the mid-6% range, still elevated compared to earlier years, but inching lower Investopedia+1.

From our vantage point, we can say with confidence: despite a dip in buyer activity, these lower rates are slowly fueling renewed interest. Yet, affordability remains a chief concern.

A Boost in Inventory: More Houses to Choose From

Now, let’s talk about some positives… inventory—something the chart visualizes so well.

From January 2020 through mid-2021, active listings fluctuated modestly between roughly 900 to 1,300 homes. But starting in late 2021, we saw a rise—through 2022 and 2023, inventory climbed gradually, fluctuating between 1,300 to 1,600 listings. Fast forward to 2024 and into 2025, and the trend becomes unmistakable: active listings surged to 1,700 and even 1,900-plus, reaching just under 2,000 listings by mid-2025.

That chart confirms what Brian & I have been observing: there are more houses to choose from than we’ve had in years.

Why This Matters for Buyers

As buyers holding off because of high rates and tight budgets, you should know this: more houses to choose from rarely means a stronger negotiating position. In many markets, homes linger longer and sellers are more motivated. In fact, experts are noting this shift: it’s increasingly a buyers’ market Investopedia+1.

This is especially relevant when rates, while still higher than pandemic-era lows, are slowly retreating. When combined with rising inventory, that spells option-rich opportunities. We've heard the conflicting narrative—buyers have been “sitting tight” waiting for rates to dip further—but with more houses to choose from, even the current rates could deliver real value Investopedia+1.

More Houses to Choose From - What We’re Encouraging Buyers to Do

Here’s our take, 

We’ve seen low buyer activity in our region—and we understand the hesitation. But we’re noticing that there are more houses to choose from than in years past. Coupled with mortgage rates dipping into the mid-6% range, there’s a growing sense of opportunity.

Our advice? Don’t wait. Here's why:

• With more houses to choose from, you can pick the right neighborhood, the right layout, and the right seller motivation.
  
  

• Even though rates are not near pandemic lows, the current average of 6.5% is the lowest we’ve seen all year. That improves your buying power—just look at rate declines since January, when 30-year rates were over 7% CBS NewsInvestopedia.
  
  

• Sellers are starting to adjust—to price, to terms, to motivation. That’s a gift for buyers.
  
  

Final Thoughts

In summary: more houses to choose from is not just a catchy phrase—it’s a real market dynamic right now. Inventory is well above the levels of previous years all the way back to early 2020. Mortgage rates have slipped to 2025-year lows, making financing more manageable. Though buyer activity remains depressed, that just amplifies your leverage.

As Top Agents in Texoma, we’re excited that there’s renewed energy picking up slowly among buyers. If you’re ready to explore your options, now’s the time—because there are more houses to choose from, and more reasons than ever to make your move.