Existing-Home Sales Increased 1.5% in September, According to NAR Report

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 home sales, prices 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

Existing-home sales increased 1.5% month-over-month.
Existing-home sales decreased 2.2% year-over-year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million.

Inventory in September

Total housing inventory reached 1.60 million units, up 1.9% from August and 4.6% from September 2025.
Unsold inventory represented a 4.8-month supply, unchanged from August and up from 4.5 months one year ago.

Median Sales Price in September

The median existing-home price for all housing types was $417,500.
Prices increased 1.3% from one year ago ($412,300), marking the 39th consecutive month of year-over-year price gains.

Housing Affordability in September

The Housing Affordability Index registered 105.4, down from 106.7 one year ago.
Affordability declined year-over-year 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

Sales increased 2.0% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.64 million, down 1.9% from September 2025.
The median single-family home price was $422,700, up 1.2% year-over-year.

Condominiums and Co-ops in September

Sales decreased 2.8% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 350,000.
Sales were down 5.4% from September 2025.
The median condo/co-op price was $363,700, up 1.2% year-over-year.

Regional Snapshot for Existing-Home Sales in September

Northeast

Sales declined 2.1% month-over-month to an annual rate of 470,000.
Sales were down 4.1% from September 2025.
Median price: $523,600, up 4.7% year-over-year.

Midwest

Sales were unchanged month-over-month at an annual rate of 930,000.
Sales were down 2.1% year-over-year.
Median price: $329,600, up 3.1% year-over-year.

South

Sales increased 2.8% month-over-month to an annual rate of 1.86 million.
Sales were down 0.5% from September 2025.
Median price: $361,000, up 0.2% year-over-year.

West

Sales increased 2.8% month-over-month to an annual rate of 730,000.
Sales were down 5.2% year-over-year.
Median price: $613,600, down 0.3% from September 2025.

REALTORS® Confidence Index for September

Median time on market: 33 days, up from 31 days in August and unchanged from September 2025.
First-time buyers represented 31% of sales, up from 30% in August and 30% one year ago.
Cash sales accounted for 27% of transactions, unchanged from last month and down from 30% one year ago.
Individual investors and second-home buyers accounted for 20% of transactions, up from 15% last month and one year ago.
Distressed sales represented 2% of transactions, unchanged from both last month and one year ago.

Mortgage Rates

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.86% in September, up from 6.67% in August and 6.35% one year ago, according to Freddie Mac.

About the National Association of REALTORS®

The National Association of REALTORS® is involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes, from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation, visit facts.realtor.