Inventory Is Making a Comeback in 2026
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers in Queens & Long Island
After several years of intense competition and historically low housing supply, we’re finally seeing a meaningful shift in the market.
Inventory is making a comeback.
Over the past year, the number of homes available for sale has steadily increased nationwide. January marked the highest level of available homes since 2020 — a strong signal that the market is gradually returning to more typical, balanced conditions.
At Empire Fine Homes, Alejandra Fermin and I are seeing this shift firsthand across Queens and Long Island. And depending on your neighborhood, this change could open up new opportunities.
A Market That’s Becoming More Balanced
We’re not fully back to pre-pandemic inventory levels nationwide — but we’re moving in the right direction.
And that matters.
For the past few years, limited supply created:
- Multiple-offer situations
- Escalated pricing
- Waived contingencies
- High pressure for buyers
When inventory is tight, the market feels rushed, competitive, and stressful.
As inventory increases:
- Buyers gain more options
- Negotiation becomes possible again
- Sellers must be more strategic with pricingand marketing
- Transactions feel more balanced
This doesn’t mean it’s a “buyer’s market.” It means we’re entering a healthier, more sustainable environment.
What We’re Seeing Locally
Inventory growth varies by location. Some markets are rebounding faster than others.
In many metro areas across the country, supply has already returned to more typical levels — and projections suggest inventory could increase another 10% this year.
If that happens, national supply levels could resemble 2017–2019 conditions by the end of the year.
Here in Queens and parts of Long Island, we’re seeing:
- Slightly longer days on market compared topeak frenzy years
- More listings coming online
- Buyers taking more time before making offers
- Strong homes still selling quickly whenpriced correctly
The key word is strategy.
What This Means for Buyers
If you’ve been waiting for a less chaotic market, this may be the window you’ve been looking for.
With more inventory:
- You have more choices.
- You can compare properties more carefully.
- You may have room to negotiate.
- You don’t feel forced into rushed decisions.
At Empire Fine Homes, we’re helping buyers take advantage of this shift by identifying well-positioned properties, negotiating strategically, and ensuring they move confidently — not emotionally.
What This Means for Sellers
For sellers, this shift doesn’t mean opportunity disappears — it simply means preparation and positioning matter more.
In ultra-low inventory years, almost any home could generate multiple offers.
In a rebalancing market:
- Pricing must reflect current demand.
- Presentation must stand out.
- Marketing must be intentional.
- Negotiation must be skilled.
This is where professional representation becomes critical.
Alejandra and I specialize in helping homeowners position their properties to attract serious buyers, generate competitive offers, and protect their equity — even in evolving market conditions.
Homes that are properly priced and professionally marketed are still selling. The difference is that today’s buyers are more selective and more informed.
The Advantage of Local Expertise
National trends tell part of the story — but real estate is always local.
Inventory levels in Forest Hills are different from Astoria.
Nassau County behaves differently than parts of Eastern Queens.
Luxury properties move differently than entry-level homes.
At Empire Fine Homes, we don’t rely on headlines — we rely on real-time local data, neighborhood insights, and active market experience.
Whether you’re:
- Considering selling this year
- Waiting for the “right” time to buy
- Unsure how the shifting market affects yourproperty value
The smartest move is understanding what’s happening specifically in your neighborhood.
The Bottom Line
Inventory isn’t fully back to normal everywhere — but momentum is building.
For buyers, this is the most balanced market environment we’ve seen in years.
For sellers, strategic pricing and expert marketing are more important than ever.
The market isn’t crashing.
It’s normalizing.
And normalization creates opportunity for those who are prepared.
If you’d like to understand how this inventory shift is impacting Queens or Long Island specifically — and what it means for your buying or selling plans — let’s have a conversation.
At Empire Fine Homes, Alejandra Fermin and I are here to guide you with clarity, strategy, and experience in every market condition.
Your next move starts with the right information.
add my name to it Elias Borjas
Absolutely — here is the fully personalized version with your name clearly positioned alongside Alejandra and Empire Fine Homes, written in a strong market-expert voice and polished for credibility and trust.
Inventory Is Making a Comeback in 2026
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers in Queens & Long Island
After several years of intense competition and historically low housing supply, we’re finally seeing a meaningful shift in the housing market.
Inventory is making a comeback.
Over the past year, the number of homes available for sale has steadily increased nationwide. January marked the highest level of available homes since 2020 — a strong sign that the market is gradually returning to more balanced conditions.
At Empire Fine Homes, Alejandra Fermin and I, Elias Borjas, are seeing this shift firsthand across Queens and Long Island. And depending on your neighborhood, this change could create new opportunities.
A Market That’s Becoming More Balanced
We’re not fully back to pre-pandemic inventory levels nationwide — but we’re moving in the right direction.
And that matters.
For the past few years, limited housing supply created:
- Multiple-offer situations
- Escalated pricing
- Waived contingencies
- High pressure for buyers
When inventory is tight, the market feels rushed, competitive, and stressful.
As inventory increases:
- Buyers gain more options
- Negotiation becomes possible again
- Sellers must be more strategic with pricingand marketing
- Transactions feel more balanced
This doesn’t signal a market downturn. It signals normalization.
And a normalized market creates smarter, more strategic opportunities.
What We’re Seeing in Queens & Long Island
Inventory growth varies by location. Some areas are rebounding faster than others.
National projections suggest inventory could increase another 10% this year, potentially bringing supply levels closer to what we experienced between 2017 and 2019.
Here locally, we’re seeing:
- Slightly longer days on market compared topeak frenzy years
- More listings entering the market
- Buyers taking more time before submittingoffers
- Well-priced homes still selling quickly
The difference now? Strategy matters more than ever.
At Empire Fine Homes, we monitor neighborhood-specific activity daily — from Forest Hills and Astoria to Nassau County communities — because real estate is hyper-local.
What This Means for Buyers
If you’ve been waiting for less pressure and more breathing room, this could be the opportunity you’ve been hoping for.
With growing inventory:
- You have more choices.
- You can evaluate homes carefully.
- You may regain negotiating leverage.
- You’re less likely to feel rushed.
Alejandra and I guide buyers through this evolving market with careful analysis, smart offer structuring, and strong negotiation tactics — ensuring our clients move confidently and strategically.
What This Means for Sellers
For sellers, this shift doesn’t mean opportunity disappears — it simply means preparation and positioning are critical.
In ultra-low inventory years, many homes sold quickly regardless of pricing strategy.
In today’s market:
- Pricing must align with real-time demand.
- Presentation must stand out.
- Marketing must be strategic and targeted.
- Negotiation must be strong and disciplined.
As Listing Specialists at Empire Fine Homes, Alejandra Fermin and I, Elias Borjas, focus on maximizing value for our sellers. From detailed market analysis and professional presentation to aggressive marketing exposure and skilled negotiation, we position homes to attract serious buyers and competitive offers.
Homes that are priced and marketed correctly are still selling. The key difference today is that buyers are more informed and selective.
And that’s where experience matters.
Why Local Expertise Matters More Than Ever
National headlines only tell part of the story.
Inventory in Queens behaves differently than parts of Long Island. Luxury properties move differently than entry-level homes. Each neighborhood has its own rhythm.
At Empire Fine Homes, we rely on real-time local data, neighborhood insight, and hands-on experience — not just national trends.
Whether you’re:
- Thinking about selling this year
- Wondering how inventory changes affect yourhome value
- Trying to decide if now is the right timeto buy
Understanding your specific local market is the first step.
The Bottom Line
Inventory isn’t fully back to normal everywhere — but it’s moving in that direction.
For buyers, this is the most balanced market we’ve seen in years.
For sellers, it’s a market that rewards smart pricing, strong marketing, and professional negotiation.
The market isn’t collapsing. It’s stabilizing.
And stabilization creates opportunity for those who are prepared.
If you’d like to understand how this inventory shift is affecting Queens or Long Island — and what it means for your next move — let’s talk.
At Empire Fine Homes, Alejandra Fermin and I, Elias Borjas, are here to guide you with clarity, strategy, and experience in any market condition.
Your next move starts with the right information — and the right team.