The National Association of Realtors reports that in November, housing inventory – the number of homes available for sale – rose to its highest level since April 1986.

Among the cities that topped the list -- Chicago, Illinois; Binghamton, New York; and Boston, Massachusetts.

Chicago, Illinois, peaked at the top of the monthly supply survey completed by NAR. In it they found that the Chicago area had an inventory increase of a staggering 132.2 percent. It seems that everyone wanted to get on what they thought was the last stand for the sellers market. What was so worth the gamble of putting a home on the market?

Some would say so. Homes prices increased in value by 10.8 percent in just one year.

That jump in pricing allowed many families to move up to homes that were bigger, had more luxurious amenities, or simply were closer to the buyers workplace.

An area that has experienced just the opposite effect from Chicago is Lake Arrowhead, California, known as "the alps of southern California." One expert related to Realty Times, "Supply and demand economics tell us prices will rise as the supply of homes diminished. Listings are down to 217 listings in "The Woods" and 43 are below $400,000. There is no time like now to list your home due to the low supply of inventory."

For those looking to buy in the area, the current homes listed in Lake Arrowhead range from $279,900 to $14,850,000. Looking to sell? Properties that are near or on the lake are in the hottest demand.

Boat dock sales are up, however, as compared to residential listings. Last year a dock that was listed for $39,000-$40,000 is now selling for $69,000 and up. There are 5 docks currently listed. The boat docks are high in demand this season and will be through the summer. If you live in Lake Arrowhead and would like to rent a dock for the season, they range from $3000 to $4000.

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