Real estate experts: Inventory shortages the 'new normal' in PNW

October is usually a slower season for Northwest real estate, and 2019 is no exception. According to the most recent Northwest Multiple Listing Service, the active listings of homes (both single-family houses and condos) during the month of October totaled 14,379 — the lowest level since April.

While it's not unusual for the summer rush of "peak real estate" season to slow down a bit in the fall, October 2019 marks a a 10% drop from September, and a 21% drop from the same time last year. New listings also fell year-to-year and month-to-month in October.