06/07/2026
Where Did All the Homes Go?
After nearly 40 years in the mortgage business, I've seen high rates, low rates, bidding wars, foreclosures, recessions, and housing booms.
What surprises me most right now isn't mortgage rates.
It's inventory.
Everyone keeps asking me when home prices are going to come down.
The better question is:
Where are all the homes?
According to the latest OneKey MLS report, Nassau County currently has just 2,560 active residential listings and Suffolk County has only 3,285.
For two counties with nearly four million residents, that's remarkably low inventory.
Historically, when mortgage rates rise, housing markets cool because buyers pull back.
But that's not what we're seeing on Long Island.
Why?
Because today's homeowners are sitting on mortgage rates of 2.5%, 3%, and 4%. Many simply aren't willing to give those up. They're staying put, creating what many economists call the "lock-in effect."
The result is a housing shortage, not a housing slowdown.
That's a big difference.
In Nassau County, there are only 397 active homes with two bedrooms or less. For first-time buyers, that's like trying to get tickets to a sold-out concert.
Meanwhile, buyers are still entering the market, families are still growing, and life continues to happen.
Demand hasn't disappeared.
Supply has.
The Silva Lining
This market isn't rewarding people who wait for perfect conditions.
It's rewarding people who are prepared.
I've learned over the years that real estate decisions should never be based on headlines alone. They're based on your goals, your finances, and your timeline.
While many people are waiting for rates to fall or inventory to suddenly flood the market, today's prepared buyers are still finding opportunities and building wealth through homeownership.
The market may not be perfect.
But opportunity rarely waits for perfect.
If you'd like to discuss your buying power, your home's value, or your strategy for the rest of 2026, call me at 631-546-0930.