What exactly are Months of Inventory (MOI)

And what does that mean to the state of the market in Georgina? 

Months of inventory is a common metric used in the real estate industry to gauge the balance between supply and demand in the market. It's a snapshot of how long it would take for all the current homes on the market to sell, given the current pace of sales.

Here's how it works:

1. Current Inventory: This is the number of active listings on the market at the end of a given month.

2. Pace of Sales: This is the number of homes that sold during that same month.

3. Calculation: Months of inventory is calculated by dividing the current inventory by the pace of sales. For example, if there are 600 homes on the market and 100 homes are selling each month, there would be 6 months of inventory.

4. Market Types:

- Seller's Market: Typically, in Keswick, a months of inventory figure that is below 4 months suggests a seller's market, where demand is high and supply is low. Homes tend to sell faster and prices may be increasing.

- Balanced Market: When the months of inventory is around 5-7 months, it is considered to be balanced, meaning supply and demand are in equilibrium.

- Buyer's Market: A months of inventory figure that is above 7 months indicates a buyer's market, where the supply of homes exceeds demand. Homes may take longer to sell and prices could be stagnant or falling.

5. Market Fluctuations: The months of inventory can fluctuate due to seasonal changes, economic factors, interest rates, and other external influences. It's a dynamic indicator that can quickly change based on current market conditions.

6. Local Variations: It's important to note that months of inventory can vary greatly by region and even by neighborhood. What might be a seller's market in one area could be a buyer's market in another.

7. Use in Analysis: Real estate agents, buyers, and sellers use months of inventory to make informed decisions about pricing homes, making offers, and negotiating contracts. It helps in understanding the competition and the urgency of buying or selling.

8. Limitations: While months of inventory is a useful indicator, it should not be used in isolation. Other factors such as median sale prices, average days on market, and the local economy should also be considered for a comprehensive market analysis.

By monitoring months of inventory over time, you can get a sense of whether the market is heating up, cooling down, or staying steady, which can inform various strategic decisions in buying, selling, or investing in real estate.