A small supply of homes can reward buyers who narrow the field before they step out the door.
If you are wondering whether you need to move fast or stay selective, I would stay selective first. In Apple Valley, MN, supply stood at 1.5 months last month, so choices are limited, but that does not mean every available home deserves your time.
The practical answer is to tour with a tighter filter, not a wider net. Apple Valley, MN had 9 active listings and 6 sales over the previous 30 days, and recent new listings over the last 3 months included 6 properties with a typical asking point of $269,950. That combination tells me available options are not broad enough for casual shopping.
When choices are this limited, the biggest buyer mistake is touring first and deciding later. I would define your acceptable price range, property type, and minimum space before scheduling anything. For sellers watching the same numbers, limited supply still means prepared buyers can be serious, but only when a home fits cleanly into the narrow set they are targeting.
Cut your must-have list to the items that truly affect daily use. Compare each home against the recent active asking benchmark before you tour. Be ready to dismiss mismatches quickly so you can act on the right fit without second-guessing.
