The current mix of new and pending homes tells me selection is limited and timing matters.
If your search feels narrow right now, you are not imagining it. In Richfield, MN, only 2 homes were newly listed over the last 3 months while 4 homes moved pending, so I would expect less room to wait for the perfect option to appear.
Selection is the issue I would plan around first. Over the previous 3 months, Richfield, MN had 2 newly listed homes and 4 homes move pending. The new listings sat in a tight asking band from $469,900 to $474,900, while pending homes ranged from $288,000 to $395,000, which shows recent accepted deals have been happening in a lower band than the newest active competition.
That gap matters when you are deciding whether to keep waiting or act on a home that fits most of your needs. I would not assume every new listing deserves its full asking price just because choices are limited. I would, however, respect the fact that pending homes have been getting spoken for, and the typical pending timeline of 12 days tells me hesitation can narrow your options even more.
Set a must-have list before the next tour so you can judge homes quickly. Keep your budget grounded in the recent pending range, not just the newest asking prices. In Richfield, MN, I would also be ready to pass decisively on homes that miss the mark, because a tight search only works when your standards and timing are both clear.
