WASHINGTON (October 13, 2026) – Existing-home sales increased by 1.5% month-over-month and decreased by 2.2% year-over-year, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales report. The report provides the real estate ecosystem—including agents, homebuyers and sellers—with data on the level of home sales, price, and inventory.
Month-over-month sales increased in the South and West, held steady in the Midwest and declined in the Northeast. Year-over-year sales declined in all four regions.
“Despite the small monthly gain on a seasonally adjusted basis, August and September marked the two slowest months for home sales this year,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Further increases in mortgage rates in recent weeks mean fewer buyers can qualify to purchase a home.” “Higher inventory and lengthening days on market give buyers improved negotiating power. Home sellers need to be realistic about local market conditions, which could require price discounts and other incentives to attract buyers,” Yun said.
National Snapshot Total Existing-Home Sales for September • 1.5% increase in existing-home sales¹ month-over-month.
• 2.2% decrease in existing-home sales year-over-year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million.
Inventory in September • 1.60 million units: Total housing inventory², up 1.9% from August and up 4.6% from September 2025.
• 4.8-month supply of unsold inventory, unchanged from August and up from 4.5 months in September 2025.
Median Sales Price in September • $417,500: Median existing-home price³ for all housing types • 1.3% increase from one year ago ($412,300)—the 39th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.
Housing Affordability in September • The Housing Affordability Index registered at 105.4, down from 106.7 a year ago.
• Year-over-year, affordability declined in three of the four regions.
- Northeast -4.5% - Midwest -3.1% - South -0.4% - West +1.0%
Single-Family and Condo/Co-op Sales Single-Family Homes in September • 2.0% increase in sales month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.64 million, down 1.9% from September 2025.
• $422,700: Median home price, up 1.2% from last year.
Condominiums and Co-ops in September • 2.8% decrease in sales month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 350,000 - Down 5.4% from last year.
• $363,700: Median price, up 1.2% from September 2025.
Regional Snapshot for Existing-Home Sales in September Northeast • 2.1% decrease in sales month-over-month to an annual rate of 470,000 - Down 4.1% from September 2025 • $523,600: Median price, up 4.7% from September 2025 Midwest • Unchanged in sales month-over-month at an annual rate of 930,000 - Down 2.1% year-over-year • $329,600: Median price, up 3.1% from September 2025 South • 2.8% increase in sales month-over-month to an annual rate of 1.86 million - Down 0.5% from September 2025 • $361,000: Median price, up 0.2% from September 2025 West • 2.8% increase in sales month-over-month to an annual rate of 730,000 - Down 5.2% year-over-year • $613,600: Median price, down 0.3% from September 2025 v National Association of REALTORS®