Dani Hallsell | Next Chapter Living | LIVgreat Real Estate

  If you’ve been watching the housing market this spring, you might be hearing mixed messages. Some say inventory is still tight. Others say buyers are finally getting more options. So what’s really happening? The answer is this: More homes are coming to market—but not always in the way people expect. Welcome to what I call the “Hidden Inventory Surge” of Spring 2026. 📈 Homes Are Hitting the Market—Just Not All at Once Unlike the frenzied waves of listings we saw in past years, today’s inventory is building more quietly. Instead of a sudden flood of new listings, we’re seeing a steady trickle of homes entering the market through different channels: “Coming Soon” listings that generate interest before going fully active Off-market conversations between agents, neighbors, and networks A noticeable rise in For Sale By Owner (FSBO) attempts Many homeowners are still cautious. They’re watching mortgage rates, following headlines, and trying to decide if now is the right time t...

Spring is traditionally the busiest season in real estate 🌼, and 2026 is shaping up to follow that pattern. As the weather warms and yards begin to bloom, more buyers start searching for homes—often hoping to move before summer or before the next school year begins. For homeowners considering selling, spring can offer a great opportunity to attract motivated buyers. But the market has shifted over the past few years, and preparation matters more than ever. Here are a few important things sellers should understand before putting their home on the market this spring. 💰 1. Pricing Correctly Matters More Than Ever In recent years, some homes sold within days with multiple offers far above asking price. While well-priced homes can still generate strong interest, today’s buyers are more cautious due to higher mortgage rates and affordability concerns. Homes that are priced correctly from the start tend to: ✔️ Receive more showings ✔️ Generate stronger offers ✔️ Sell faster Homes that are...

  When sellers ask me how to prepare their home for the market, the conversation almost always turns to staging . Sometimes the reaction is enthusiastic. Sometimes it’s hesitation: "Do we really need to stage the house?" It’s a fair question. According to the 2025 Profile of Home Staging Report from the National Association of REALTORS® , staging can make a meaningful difference in how buyers perceive a home—and how quickly it sells.  Let’s take a look at what the research shows. Buyers Need Help Seeing the Possibilities 👀 One of the biggest challenges buyers face when touring homes is imagining their life there. Rooms may feel too small, awkwardly arranged, or just hard to visualize. That’s where staging helps. 📊 The report found: 83% of buyers’ agents say staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home. 60% say staging affects some buyers’ perception of a home. In other words, staging helps buyers move from “This house is interesting” t...