LBI Real Estate Market: Months of Inventory & New Listings (Apr 2025–Mar 2026)
- Mar 15
- 4 min read
LBI Real Estate Months of Inventory
If you are considering buying, selling, or investing in the LBI real estate market, a clear, local look at LBI’s last 12 months of housing supply and new listings is an important first step. LBI real estate's months of inventory can provide insight into broader buyer and seller trends on Long Beach Island. This post will help you understand the LBI real estate market as a whole and where the market leans buyer vs. seller, how seasonal patterns played out, and what it means for your next move on Long Beach Island.
Supply averaged 8.25 months of inventory over the past year, with a median of 7 months, indicating a market that oscillated between balanced and buyer‑leaning conditions depending on the month.
Tightest months: September 2025 and January 2026 (5 MOI)—more competitive for buyers and supportive of sellers.
Loosest month: March 2026 (18 MOI)—significantly more leverage for buyers.
New‑listing peak: August 2025 (70 new listings)—the height of late‑summer inventory turnover.
New‑listing low: December 2025 (27 new listings)—typical winter slowdown.
Same‑month data show little direct correlation between new listings and MOI, underscoring that MOI also reflects demand (paced by sales), not just new supply.
By: Nathan Colmer | LBI Real Estate Agent | The Van Dyk Group
Cell: 609-290-4293 | Office: 800-222-0131 | ncolmer@vandykgroup.com
What “Months of Inventory” means (and why LBI is unique)
LBI real estate's months of inventory estimates how long the current for‑sale inventory would last at the recent sales pace if no new homes were listed.
As a rule of thumb:
< 5 MOI: seller’s market (scarce supply, faster sales, firmer prices)
~5–7 MOI: balanced
> 7 MOI: buyer’s market (more choices, more negotiation room)
On LBI, seasonality amplifies these swings. Listing activity rises into summer; showings and second‑home shopping are influenced by weather, school schedules, and rental calendars. That’s why you’ll often see late‑summer spikes in new listings and winter lulls—and why MOI can move sharply when the sales pace (demand) changes even more than the number of new listings.
The Past 12 Months of the LBI Real Estate Market at a Glance
Month | Months of Inventory | New Listings |
Apr 2025 | 8 | 53 |
May 2025 | 6 | 54 |
Jun 2025 | 6 | 50 |
Jul 2025 | 9 | 55 |
Aug 2025 | 13 | 70 |
Sep 2025 | 5 | 55 |
Oct 2025 | 6 | 50 |
Nov 2025 | 8 | 33 |
Dec 2025 | 6 | 27 |
Jan 2026 | 5 | 31 |
Feb 2026 | 9 | 51 |
Mar 2026 | 18 | 31 |
Planning Your Move in the LBI Real Estate Market
Late‑Summer Listing Surge (Jul–Aug): New listings built into August’s peak of 70, while MOI also climbed (to 13 in August). This reflects both more owners listing after rental turnovers and buyers pausing or taking longer to transact near the end of summer.
Fall Tightening (Sep): MOI compressed to 5 in September, even with a solid 55 new listings, suggesting closings caught up and demand was healthier relative to available stock.
Winter Slowdown (Nov–Jan): New listings slid to 27 in December and 31 in January, with MOI tightening back to 5 in January as the sales pace relative to supply improved.
Early‑Spring Dislocation (Mar): MOI spiked to 18 in March despite only 31 new listings—a sign that demand (closed or pended sales pace) lagged, causing inventory to “last longer” at March’s absorption rate. This is a good example of why MOI isn’t just about how many homes hit the market; it’s also about how fast buyers are absorbing them.
Do more Listings Automatically Raise the Months of Inventory in the Long Beach Island Real Estate Market?
Not necessarily. In this 12‑month sample, same‑month correlation between new listings and MOI is effectively near zero. In other words, months with more listings didn’t reliably mean a higher MOI—because buyer activity (sales) moved independently. A simple one‑month lead check (new listings leading MOI by a month) also showed only a weak relationship.On LBI, absorption (demand) often drives MOI as much as raw listing counts. Pricing, weather, mortgage rates, and the second‑home calendar can all shift how quickly the market “eats through” available inventory.
What Does this Mean if You’re Selling in the Long Beach Island Real Estate Market
Lean into tight months. When MOI is ~5–6, buyers have fewer options—pricing power and negotiation leverage improve.
Prep early for late‑summer visibility. If you target the July–August window (high listing activity), make the property stand out: compelling photography, turnkey presentation, and competitive pricing aligned with recent comps and pace.
Be strategic if MOI rises. In higher‑MOI months (e.g., March), focus on value clarity—pre‑inspections, clean disclosures, and price positioning that shortens time‑to‑offer.
What This Means if You Are Buying in the LBI Real Estate Market
Shop the shoulder seasons. Late winter to early spring (like March) can offer more selection and leverage, especially if properties have lingered.
Act decisively in tight months. When MOI tightens (e.g., September/January), be ready with pre‑approval and a clear offer strategy; desirable, well‑priced homes still move quickly.
Watch neighborhood‑level microtrends. MOI can differ between, say, North End vs. South End or oceanfront vs. bayfront. Pair this island‑wide read with hyperlocal comps before you write.
The past year on LBI has been a great reminder that this market doesn’t move in a straight line—and that both buyers and sellers can find opportunities if they understand the rhythms of the island. Whether inventory tightens or loosens, the real advantage comes from knowing how supply and demand shift month by month and how those shifts play out in different parts of LBI.
Buying or selling on Long Beach Island is different from anywhere else, and having the right guidance matters with such a significant investment. I'm Nathan Colmer, a local LBI real estate agent with over 20 years of experience helping buyers and sellers make informed decisions, especially when it comes to second homes and investment properties.
As both a real estate professional and an active investor in the LBI real estate market, I offer insight beyond listing details. Whether you're looking for a vacation home, exploring investment options, or ready to list your property, I take a personalized, hands-on approach to help you navigate the process with confidence.
By: Nathan Colmer | LBI Real Estate Agent | The Van Dyk Group
Cell: 609-290-4293 | Office: 800-222-0131 | ncolmer@vandykgroup.com
