For-sale inventory increases in some metropolitan areas

The inventory of homes for sale rose slightly in March in many metropolitan areas across the nation. According to data compiled by ZipRealty Inc., the listing inventory rose 1.1 percent in 23 metropolitan areas between February and March, after decreasing in both January and February.

The for-sale inventory usually increases between February and March in anticipation of the spring selling season, the Wall Street Journal reported. According to data from research firm Zelman & Associates, the average increase between those months over the last 26 years was 1.8 percent.

The ZipRealty data also showed fewer homes listed with reduced prices.