It often feels like people talk about Lafayette’s relatively low inventory of homes for sale as if this is somehow a Bay Area economic issue that just might correct itself, if not this season, then hopefully next.

Economics impacts buyer demand and price, and both play an undeniable role in real estate. The real issue with Lafayette inventory, though, is lifestyle.

The single biggest reason Lafayette is experiencing this current low inventory of homes for sale is the very reason that so many people want to move here: Lafayette is a great place to live.

Yes – many young families initially move to Lafayette for our wonderful public schools. Most, though, quickly learn the real secret of Lafayette: It’s a great place to live no matter how old you are!

Barring unexpected life events, decades may pass before a homeowner considers selling the family home. By then, grandkids may be at the Thanksgiving table.

Thankfully, this tends to happen at different times for different people, and that helps keep a steady stream of new families moving in and falling in love with the Lafayette lifestyle, too.

The end result is a healthy mix of ages in our neighborhoods and an authentic commitment to community that encourages civic pride and strong volunteer energy.

As a lifelong Lafayette resident with kids in college and no plans to ever move from Lafayette, it is hard to argue that this housing trend is anything but a good thing, even if the constrained Lafayette home inventory can try homebuyer patience and makes being a Lafayette Realtor challenging!

Mostly, I’m just thankful to be lucky enough to live and work in Lafayette.

Happy Thanksgiving!