Lower Inventory in Charlottesville Albemarle Housing Market Follows National Trend: The "New Normal" Is Not A Positive Sign

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It's been a mantra of Realtors for years that as inventory shrinks, prices will rise.  Locally and nationally, inventory has dropped--but this isn't a positive sign.  Last Fall, as inventory declined, the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors Q3 report stated:
"This continual float down of active inventory represents progress toward what is considered