Share this article Share this article SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- February's extreme weather throughout the U.S. exacerbated the housing market's inventory woes, pushing the pace of new listings coming onto the market further behind pre-pandemic levels, according to the ® Monthly Housing Trends Report released today. Unless the trend reverses itself, buyers will be in for a much more competitive homebuying season than last year. "Last month's record cold and snowstorms likely caused sellers to hit pause, even if only temporarily," said realtor.com ® Chief Economist Danielle Hale. "However, in today's inventory-starved market, any setback is significant. Unless we see some big improvements in the new listings trends over the coming months buyers can expect stiff competition. And unlike last spring, buyers may also face affordability challenges as home prices and mortgage rates increase. Market dynamics continue to favor sellers."