Dive Brief:

• Realtors say that about 10% more homeowners are looking to sell now, as house prices rise, than were in the market at this time last year, which provides a bit more competition for home builders.
• The inventories of both existing and new homes is law, though, with existing homes at a 13-year-low and new homes at a 50-year low, according to the National Association of Realtors.
• More inventory of existing home has not affected prices so far, with the median listing price nationally at $199,000 last month, up 7.6% year over year.

Dive Insight:

It's good to be cautious looking at national figures for housing because no one is sure if the spring buying season will raise all boats or be spotty. The Realtors' figures are based on 146 markets, and 47 of those did not have more inventory. Older, industrialized areas are generally not riding the price wave, the group says.