If you’re buying, more inventory isn’t simply about having more houses to scroll through.
It gives you more opportunity to compare value.
If two similar homes are available, look beyond the list prices. How long has each been on the market? Has either price changed? What is the condition of the roof, windows, heating and cooling systems? What might you need to spend in the first few years?
A home that looks $20,000 cheaper can quickly stop being the better value if it needs $30,000 worth of work.
The benefit of a market with more choice is being able to slow down enough to ask better questions.