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Existing Home Sales

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Rising mortgage rates cool US existing-home sales as August prices hit record
business1 month ago

Rising mortgage rates cool US existing-home sales as August prices hit record

U.S. existing-home sales fell 2% in August to a 3.98 million annual pace—the slowest in more than a year—while the median price rose to $429,100, the August record. Mortgage rates are near 6.8% with potential to rise toward 7%, helping dampen demand even as supply climbs to a 4.9‑month inventory, the highest in more than a decade. First-time buyers accounted for about 30% of sales; regional declines accompanied continued price gains, especially in the Northeast. Year-to-date sales are roughly up 1.6% from the same period last year.

Mortgage rates hit year-high as U.S. home sales slip in August
real-estate1 month ago

Mortgage rates hit year-high as U.S. home sales slip in August

U.S. existing-home sales fell 2% in August to a 3.98 million annualized rate, the slowest pace in over a year, as mortgage rates hovered around 6.6%–6.7% and briefly reached 6.71%. Inventory remains tight and prices rose 1.6% year over year to a median of $429,100, with the Northeast posting the largest decline while the West was unchanged. Through August, sales are up about 1.6% from a year ago per the National Association of Realtors.

August housing market cools as sales slip despite decade-high supply
business1 month ago

August housing market cools as sales slip despite decade-high supply

Existing-home sales fell 2% in August to a 3.98 million annualized pace, the slowest since mid-2025, as mortgage rates stay high; the median price rose 1.6% year over year to a record $429,100, with inventory at 1.62 million and 4.9 months’ supply—the highest in more than a decade. Prices rose most in the Northeast where inventory is tighter, while the West saw a year-over-year price decline. Higher-end homes led demand (sales above $1 million up 3.9% YoY) while lower-priced segments slipped; homes averaged about 31 days on the market, cash buyers were 27%, first-time buyers 30%, and investors 15% of August sales.

Housing-supply bill could ease affordability, but relief appears years away as rates hover near 6.5%
economy3 months ago

Housing-supply bill could ease affordability, but relief appears years away as rates hover near 6.5%

Mortgage rates sit around 6.49% for a 30-year fixed, while existing-home sales fell 2.4% in June. A bipartisan bill—the 21st Century Road to Housing Act—aims to boost supply by easing manufactured housing and funding repairs, and is set to become law automatically unless vetoed. Analysts say any meaningful relief in prices or availability will take time, though forecasts suggest rates could drift toward about 6.3% by late 2026, with prices remaining high in the near term.

May Existing-Home Sales Rise 3.2% as Inventory Edges Up
business4 months ago

May Existing-Home Sales Rise 3.2% as Inventory Edges Up

May data from the National Association of REALTORS® show existing-home sales up 3.2% month-over-month and year-over-year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.17 million; gains occurred in the Northeast, Midwest, and South, while the West was unchanged. Inventory rose to 1.55 million homes (about 4.5 months’ supply), and the median price reached $429,300, up 1.3% from a year ago. The Housing Affordability Index was 105.6, with mortgage rates at about 6.44% in May. First-time buyers accounted for 35% of sales, cash buyers 25%, and investors 14%; 29 days was the median time on market. The report cites improving affordability and ongoing supply constraints as key drivers.

May Existing-Home Sales Rise 3.2%, Inventory Edges Up and Prices Climb
economy4 months ago

May Existing-Home Sales Rise 3.2%, Inventory Edges Up and Prices Climb

May existing-home sales rose 3.2% month-over-month and year-over-year to a 4.17 million seasonally adjusted annual rate, with inventory at 1.55 million (4.5 months). The median price climbed 1.3% year over year to $429,300, affordability improved, mortgage rates averaged 6.44%, and gains occurred in the Northeast, Midwest, and South (West unchanged). First-time buyers reached 35% of buyers.

May housing surge lifts existing-home sales to December-high pace
real-estate4 months ago

May housing surge lifts existing-home sales to December-high pace

Existing home sales rose 3.2% in May to a 4.17 million annualized pace, the strongest since December, with inventory up 3.3% to 1.55 million and the median price at $429,300. The gain followed a downshift in mortgage rates in April that helped affordability, with first-time buyers at 35% of sales, higher-end homes remaining buoyant, and roughly a quarter of deals paid in cash. The market remains tight at about 4.5 months of supply, and foreclosures/underwater sales stayed around 1%, signaling solid homeowner finances.

NAR: April Existing-Home Sales Tick Up 0.2% as Inventory Rises
real-estate5 months ago

NAR: April Existing-Home Sales Tick Up 0.2% as Inventory Rises

NAR reports April existing-home sales rose 0.2% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million, with inventory up 5.8% to 1.47 million (about 4.4 months’ supply). Sales were flat year-over-year, while the median price increased 0.9% to $417,700. The Housing Affordability Index stood at 110.6 and affordability improved across regions. Mortgage rates averaged 6.33% in April. Regional detail shows Midwest and South up, Northeast unchanged, and West down, with second-home purchases contributing to demand.

Mortgage-rate jump slows real estate market as April existing-home sales barely rise
business5 months ago

Mortgage-rate jump slows real estate market as April existing-home sales barely rise

U.S. existing-home sales in April rose just 0.2% to 4.02 million (SAAR), missing forecasts and flat vs. a year ago. Inventory climbed 5.8% from March to a 4.4‑month supply but remains tight. The median home price was $417,700, up 0.9% year over year—the highest April price on record. Mortgage rates surged into about 6.4% this week after being in the high 5% range, weighing on buyers. Days on market rose to 32, and first-time buyers accounted for 33% of sales, with all-cash purchases at 25%.

March Existing-Home Sales Fall 3.6% as Inventory Tightens and Prices Rally
real-estate6 months ago

March Existing-Home Sales Fall 3.6% as Inventory Tightens and Prices Rally

March existing-home sales fell 3.6% month-over-month to a 3.98 million seasonally adjusted annual rate, with inventory up 3.0% to 1.36 million (about 4.1 months). Year-over-year sales were down 1.0% while the median price rose 1.4% to $408,800, the 33rd consecutive year-over-year price gain. Limited inventory continues to push prices higher and bolster homeowner wealth; NAR trimmed its 2026 forecast to a 4% increase in existing-home sales (new-home sales expected to be flat) as mortgage rates rise. Regional declines occurred in all four regions.

February housing data shows small lift in sales, but supply remains tight
economy7 months ago

February housing data shows small lift in sales, but supply remains tight

February existing-home sales rose 1.7% from January to a 4.09 million pace, but are down 1.4% from a year ago, as tight inventory persists (1.29 million for sale, 3.8-month supply). The median price was $398,000, up 0.3% YoY, and time on market rose to 47 days; first-time buyers were 34% of sales and investors 16%. Relisted delistings hit a January record, signaling only modest inventory gains but continued headwinds for affordability.

December Existing-Home Sales Jump 5.1% as Rates Ease and Inventory Tightens
real-estate9 months ago

December Existing-Home Sales Jump 5.1% as Rates Ease and Inventory Tightens

December existing-home sales rose 5.1% month-over-month to a 4.35 million seasonally adjusted annual rate, but were down 1.4% from December 2024; inventory fell to 1.18 million (3.3 months’ supply) while the median price rose 0.4% year-over-year to 405,400. Single-family sales climbed 5.1% to a 3.95 million SAAR with a $409,500 median, and condos/co-ops rose 5.3% to 400,000 with a $364,400 median. Regions all posted MoM gains (Northeast +2.0%, Midwest -2.0%, South +6.9%, West +6.6%). The 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 6.19% in December, down from 6.24% in November. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says conditions improved in Q4 thanks to lower rates, but inventory remains tight and more listings are expected in February.

Trump Bets on Housing Push as Affordability Improves
politics9 months ago

Trump Bets on Housing Push as Affordability Improves

President Trump touts early gains in housing affordability as mortgage rates fall and existing home sales rebound, with supporting income growth. He also signals further relief by directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities and by curbing large institutional investors’ single-family purchases, while pledging to cut red tape and boost supply to restore the dream of homeownership.

December home sales jump as inventory stays tight at year’s end
real-estate9 months ago

December home sales jump as inventory stays tight at year’s end

December’s seasonally adjusted annualized sales rate rose to 4.35 million, up 5.1% from November and 1.4% year over year, with the full year totaling 4.06 million (unchanged from 2024). Inventory fell to 1.18 million (about 3.3 months’ supply), helping the median price rise 0.4% to $405,400—the 30th straight annual gain. December was the strongest in nearly three years after seasonal adjustment, aided by mortgage rates hovering around 6.2–6.3% during closings. Analysts note Q4 improvement amid easing rates and expect more listings to come in February.

October Sees First Annual Home Sales Gain in Over 3 Years Amid Rate Dip
real-estate1 year ago

October Sees First Annual Home Sales Gain in Over 3 Years Amid Rate Dip

Existing-home sales in the U.S. increased by 3.4% in October, marking the first year-over-year gain since July 2021, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Sales rose across all major regions, with a total annual rate of 3.96 million. The median home price also increased by 4% to $407,200. Inventory levels rose slightly, while mortgage rates remained elevated but are expected to stabilize. First-time buyers accounted for 27% of sales, and cash sales made up 27% of transactions.