What Months of Supply Means in Revere

Have you noticed homes in Revere selling fast one month and lingering the next? When you are buying or selling, that swing can feel confusing. The months of supply number helps you read the market’s balance so you can price, negotiate, and time your move with confidence. In this guide, you will learn what months of supply means, how to calculate it for Revere, and how to use it to your advantage. Let’s dive in.

Months of supply, in plain English

Months of supply (MOS) tells you how long it would take to sell the current number of active listings at the recent sales pace. It is a snapshot of market balance. Lower MOS points to tighter conditions that help sellers. Higher MOS points to more selection and leverage for buyers.

Industry benchmarks are helpful as a starting point. About less than 3 months is typically a seller’s market. Around 3 to 6 months is considered balanced. More than 6 months usually favors buyers. Treat these as guidelines since local conditions in Revere can shift the line.

The simple formulas

• MOS = active listings at month end divided by average closed sales per month for the period you choose.
• Absorption rate = closed sales in the period divided by active listings at month end. If both use the same time period, MOS is the inverse of the monthly absorption rate.

Using a 1‑month window makes MOS responsive but noisy. A 3‑month rolling average smooths seasonal swings and is a good choice for Revere.

Why this metric matters in Revere

Revere’s housing stock includes a high share of condominiums and multi‑family homes near Revere Beach and along the Broadway corridor. Single‑family homes are a smaller slice of the market. That mix can make single‑family MOS lower than condo MOS, which means more competition for detached homes.

Seasonality is also meaningful. Listing and buyer activity tend to rise from late spring to early fall. MOS often dips in spring when demand picks up and rises in winter when fewer buyers are out.

What different values mean for you

• MOS under 2 to 3 months: very tight. Expect quicker sales and more multiple‑offer situations, especially for well‑priced condos near the beach or well‑kept single‑family homes.
• MOS around 3 to 5 months: balanced to slightly seller‑favored. Many homes sell with normal competition. Pricing and condition matter more.
• MOS above 6 months: buyer‑favored. Listings sit longer, price reductions are more common, and buyers can negotiate with more confidence.

Condo, multi‑family, and single‑family differences

• Single‑family: Scarcer supply can keep MOS lower. Buyers should be pre‑approved and move quickly when the fit is right. Sellers can lean on strong presentation and a tight pricing strategy.
• Condos: MOS can vary by building amenities, association rules, and location. Entry‑level units often move faster than luxury or larger coastal units.
• Multi‑family: Investor demand can compress MOS at certain times, especially when rental demand is strong. Underwriting and rent rolls become key to negotiation.

Price bands and seasonality in Revere

MOS often differs by price tier. Entry‑level condos and smaller multi‑family properties tend to show lower MOS due to broader demand. Upper‑price or luxury coastal listings may show higher MOS unless seasonal demand spikes. Compare same‑month year over year to avoid reading normal winter slowdowns as a broader trend.

What changes in MOS usually signal

• Falling MOS month to month: demand is outpacing supply. Expect faster sales and more competitive offers.
• Rising MOS month to month: demand is cooling or supply jumped. Expect more days on market and cautious pricing.
• Persistent trends over 6 to 12 months matter more than a single monthly move. Look for confirmation in median days on market and the share of price reductions.

How to calculate MOS for Revere

You can compute MOS with a few numbers from MLS PIN or local broker reports.

1. Pull the count of active residential listings in Revere on the last day of the month. If possible, separate single‑family, condos, and multi‑family.

2. Count closed sales in Revere during the month. For a smoother number, take total closed sales over the last 3 months and divide by 3.

3. Compute MOS: active listings divided by sales per month. Then compute monthly absorption: sales per month divided by active listings.

4. Repeat by price band, such as under a certain threshold, midrange, and upper tier. MOS can look very different across price points.

How to track it without noise

• Check monthly, then compare the last 3 months as a rolling average.
• Compare each month to the same month last year to adjust for seasonality.
• Pair MOS with median days on market, pending inventory, and the share of listings with price changes to see the fuller picture.

Buyer moves based on MOS

• If MOS is low: be ready to act. Get pre‑approved, focus on the top two or three must‑haves, and keep contingencies tight but safe.
• If MOS is balanced: shop carefully. Use recent comps, evaluate condition, and look for opportunities where days on market are higher than the neighborhood median.
• If MOS is high: negotiate firmly. Ask for credits, repairs, or timing flexibility, and explore rate buydowns with your lender.

Seller moves based on MOS

• If MOS is low: price near the market, present impeccably, and aim for broad exposure in the first week. Consider offer deadlines only if activity supports it.
• If MOS is balanced: lean on accurate pricing and strong visuals. Make condition improvements that widen the buyer pool without overcapitalizing.
• If MOS is high: price to the market you have. Improve curb appeal and interior presentation, watch showing feedback, and be prepared to adjust.

Data sources you can trust

For the most accurate, timely count of actives, pendings, new listings, and closed sales, MLS PIN and local broker reports are your best sources. The Greater Boston Association of Realtors publishes monthly snapshots that add useful context. Suffolk County Registry of Deeds provides official closed sales data, although it lags.

Public tools such as Zillow Research, Redfin’s Data Center, and Realtor.com can be used for quick checks, but verify critical decisions against MLS data. For coastal risk and insurance considerations that can affect demand, consult the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and NOAA sea level rise projections.

Coastal risk and insurance considerations

Waterfront and near‑water properties can command seasonal interest and price premiums, yet insurance costs and flood zones affect buyer demand. Confirm flood zone status and estimated insurance costs early in your process. Coastal resilience projects and evolving risk data can also influence long‑term MOS in these areas.

Avoid common pitfalls

• Do not assume MOS equals price direction. It signals market balance, not price by itself.
• Be consistent about definitions. Use the same end‑of‑month active count and the same sales window each time.
• Watch small segments. Thin luxury or unique properties can show volatile MOS from just a few sales.
• Adjust for seasonality. Compare April to last April, not to February, and use 3‑month averages for clarity.

Work with a local advisor

MOS is straightforward to calculate, but interpreting it for your property type, price band, and location in Revere takes experience. A seasoned advisor can pull MLS‑accurate data, break it down by segment, and translate the trend into pricing and negotiation strategy that fits your timing and goals. If you are planning a sale or purchase, connect with Guy Contaldi to get a focused, data‑driven strategy for Revere and Greater Boston.

FAQs

How months of supply helps Revere buyers

• It shows how competitive the market is so you can decide how fast to move, how strong to price your offer, and when to negotiate for credits.

How months of supply guides Revere sellers

• It signals how to price, how much to invest in preparation, and whether to expect multiple offers or longer days on market.

How often to check months of supply in Revere

• Monthly is fine for short‑term monitoring; use a 3‑month rolling average and compare to the same month last year for seasonality.

Whether public sites are reliable for Revere MOS

• Use them for quick checks, but rely on MLS and local broker reports for pricing and negotiation decisions.

Why condos and single‑family MOS differ in Revere

• Revere has more condos and multi‑family near the coast, while single‑family homes are scarcer; that mix often makes single‑family MOS lower and competition higher.