As someone who’s been watching our Catonsville real estate inventory closely over the past few years, I can tell you that the phrase I hear most often at neighborhood gatherings and local coffee shops is “there’s nothing for sale.” It’s not exactly true—there are homes on the market—but it certainly feels that way when you’re competing with multiple buyers for every decent listing that comes available.
Housing inventory, simply put, is the number of homes currently for sale in our market. Think of it as the selection on the shelf at your favorite store. When inventory is low, buyers have fewer choices and often pay premium prices. When inventory is higher, buyers have more negotiating power and can take their time making decisions. Right now, Catonsville is firmly in that low-inventory camp, though we’re starting to see some interesting shifts that could change the game for both buyers and sellers.
The data tells a compelling story: as of March 2025, we had just 0.88 months of housing supply, meaning if no new homes came on the market, everything available would sell in less than a month. That’s textbook seller’s market territory. However, by June, we saw inventory jump from 43 homes in May to 99 homes—still tight by historical standards, but a promising sign that the market might be finding some balance.
Key Takeaways
- Ultra-Low Supply Continues: With just 0.88 months of inventory as of March 2025, Catonsville remains in deep seller’s market territory, giving homeowners significant pricing power
- Encouraging Inventory Growth: Despite tight conditions, inventory increased 44% year-over-year and surged 130% from May to June 2025, particularly in larger 3-5 bedroom homes
- Strategic Opportunities Emerging: The gradual inventory increase creates new windows for buyers to find homes and sellers to capture strong pricing before market conditions shift further
What Is Housing Inventory? And Why It Matters
Before diving into the local numbers, let me explain what housing inventory really means and why it affects every decision in our real estate market. Inventory is typically measured in “months of supply”—how long it would take to sell all the homes currently on the market at the current pace of sales.
Here’s the general rule of thumb: less than three months of supply indicates a seller’s market, where competition among buyers drives prices up and homes sell quickly. Six months of supply suggests a balanced market with equal power between buyers and sellers. More than six months typically means a buyer’s market, where purchasers have more negotiating leverage and homes may sit longer.
In Catonsville, we’ve been living in an extreme seller’s market for years now. That 0.88 months of supply I mentioned? That’s about as tight as markets get. It means buyers need to act fast, often waiving contingencies and offering above asking price just to get their offers considered.
But inventory levels affect more than just transaction dynamics. Low inventory tends to support higher home values because demand consistently outpaces supply. It also means that if you’re a seller, you’re likely to get top dollar for your home—but finding your next place to live becomes the bigger challenge.
Current Inventory Trends in Catonsville
Tight but Shifting Supply
The most striking thing about our current inventory situation is how dramatically it can change from month to month. That jump from 43 homes in May to 99 homes in June 2025 represents a 130% increase—the kind of swing that can reshape market dynamics almost overnight.
What’s particularly interesting is where this new inventory is coming from. We’re not seeing a flood of starter homes or smaller properties. Instead, the biggest growth has been in larger homes: 3-bedroom properties saw inventory increase by 183%, 4-bedroom homes jumped 93%, and 5-bedroom houses rose by 86%. This suggests that families who’ve been holding onto larger homes during the tight market are finally feeling confident enough to sell and potentially downsize.
This shift has real implications for buyers. If you’ve been searching for a larger family home and getting outbid repeatedly, the second half of 2025 might offer your best opportunity in years. Conversely, if you’re looking for that starter home or smaller property, the competition remains intense.
Despite the inventory increase, homes are still selling relatively quickly. The average days on market sits around 35 days—longer than the pandemic-era rush when homes sold in a week, but still fast by historical standards. This tells me we’re in a transition period where the market is cooling slightly but hasn’t fundamentally shifted away from favoring sellers.
Year-Over-Year Perspective
Looking at the bigger picture, our 44% year-over-year inventory increase might sound dramatic, but it’s important to remember we’re coming from extremely low levels. Think of it like this: if you had one apple last year and now you have about one-and-a-half apples, that’s a 50% increase, but you still don’t have very many apples.
The good news is that the trend appears sustainable. We’re not seeing the kind of sudden inventory surge that might indicate distressed sales or a market crash. Instead, it looks like natural market forces gradually bringing more balance between supply and demand.
State & Regional Inventory Context
Our Catonsville inventory trends don’t exist in a vacuum—they’re part of broader Maryland and regional patterns that help explain what we’re experiencing locally. Statewide, Maryland housing sales dropped 10% year-over-year in March 2025, while active inventory fell 4.5%. This tells us that while Catonsville is seeing inventory growth, many parts of Maryland are still struggling with tight supply.
What’s particularly encouraging for our long-term outlook is Maryland’s recent adoption of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) legislation. This law makes it easier for homeowners to add rental units to their properties, potentially increasing housing supply over time. For Catonsville homeowners with larger lots, ADUs could represent both additional rental income and a way to contribute to our community’s housing needs.
The regional context also helps explain why our inventory is growing. As other Baltimore metro areas remain tight, some sellers might be more willing to list in Catonsville, knowing they can capture strong pricing while buyers still have decent selection compared to other communities.
Implications for Buyers, Sellers & Investors
For Buyers
If you’re shopping for a home in Catonsville right now, the slightly improved inventory levels represent your best opportunity in recent years—but you still need to approach this market strategically. Getting pre-approved for your mortgage is absolutely essential, and I’d recommend having your financing locked in before you even start seriously looking at properties.
The growth in larger home inventory is particularly significant for families who’ve been priced out or outbid in previous years. Those 3-5 bedroom properties that were getting multiple offers within days might now stay on the market for a week or two, giving you time to schedule a showing, do your due diligence, and craft a competitive offer.
However, don’t mistake increased inventory for a buyer’s market. You’re still likely to face competition on well-priced, move-in-ready homes. The key is being selective and moving quickly when you find the right property. Consider working with an agent who knows our local neighborhoods well and can help you identify properties likely to meet your needs before they hit the broader market.
For Sellers
The current inventory environment still strongly favors sellers, but the days of automatic bidding wars and offers $50,000 above asking might be behind us. This doesn’t mean you can’t get top dollar for your home—it just means pricing strategy and presentation matter more than they did during the peak seller’s market.
If you’re thinking about selling, timing is increasingly important. The seasonal patterns that were disrupted during the pandemic are reasserting themselves, with spring and early summer typically offering the largest buyer pools. However, with inventory growing, you can’t simply list your home and expect multiple offers regardless of condition or price.
Focus on the factors that make homes stand out in our market: energy efficiency, updated kitchens and bathrooms, and outdoor space. Even small improvements can justify premium pricing when buyers still have limited options.
For Investors
The gradual inventory increase creates interesting opportunities for real estate investors willing to act decisively. Properties that might have sold quickly to owner-occupants in previous years may now sit long enough for investors to evaluate and make competitive offers.
Pay particular attention to larger homes that may have been overpriced initially. As inventory grows in the 3-5 bedroom segment, some sellers may be more motivated to negotiate, creating potential value opportunities for investors planning to rent to families or convert properties for multiple tenants.
The ADU legislation also opens new possibilities for investors. Properties with large lots or suitable layouts for adding rental units could offer both immediate rental income and long-term appreciation potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes are for sale in Catonsville right now? As of June 2025, approximately 60 homes were actively listed for sale, more than double the 43 homes available in May, showing significant month-to-month improvement in selection.
What does “months of supply” mean for buyers? Months of supply measures how long current inventory would last at the current sales pace. Catonsville’s 0.88 months means very limited supply and strong competition among buyers—definitely still a seller’s market.
Are inventory levels actually improving? Yes, we’ve seen a 44% year-over-year increase and a dramatic 130% jump from May to June 2025, though we’re still well below the 6 months of supply that would indicate a balanced market.
Which types of homes are seeing the most new listings? Larger homes are driving the inventory growth: 3-bedroom homes increased 183%, 4-bedroom homes up 93%, and 5-bedroom properties rose 86% month-over-month in June 2025.
How does low inventory affect home prices in Catonsville? Limited supply typically supports higher prices due to buyer competition. While our inventory is growing, the levels are still low enough to maintain upward price pressure, though the rate of appreciation may be moderating slightly.
Navigating a Low-Inventory Market in Catonsville
Looking ahead, our housing inventory situation appears to be slowly evolving toward better balance, though we’re still months or potentially years away from what economists would call a balanced market. The key for everyone involved—buyers, sellers, and investors—is understanding that this transition period creates both opportunities and challenges.
For buyers, the slightly improved inventory means more choices, but you still need to be prepared to move quickly on properties that meet your criteria. The days of leisurely house hunting and multiple showing appointments are not yet behind us.
Sellers continue to benefit from strong demand and limited supply, but smart pricing and proper presentation are becoming more important as buyers gain slightly more negotiating power. The homes that will command premium prices are those that stand out in terms of condition, location, or unique features.
Investors should watch for opportunities created by the gradual supply increase, particularly in larger home segments where some sellers may be more motivated to negotiate after experiencing longer listing periods than expected.
Perhaps most importantly, these inventory trends remind us that real estate markets are constantly evolving. What feels like a permanent condition—in this case, extremely tight supply—can shift more quickly than many people expect. Staying informed about local inventory levels and broader market trends will help everyone make better decisions, whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest in our Catonsville community.
The combination of slightly growing inventory, strong community fundamentals, and supportive state policies like ADU legislation suggests that Catonsville’s housing market is finding its way toward more sustainable long-term balance while maintaining the desirability that makes our community special.
