Existing-Home Sales Increase 1.5% in September, According to NAR
Existing-home sales increased 1.5% in September 2026, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Despite the monthly increase, sales were down 2.2% compared to September 2025.
The latest report shows that housing inventory continued to grow, providing buyers with more options. Total housing inventory reached 1.60 million units at the end of September, up 1.9% from August and 4.6% from one year ago. Unsold inventory represented a 4.8-month supply at the current sales pace, unchanged from August.
The median existing-home sales price for all housing types reached $417,500 in September, an increase of 1.3% from the previous year. This marked the 39th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.
“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.
Regionally, existing-home sales increased in the South and West, remained unchanged in the Midwest and declined in the Northeast. All four regions experienced year-over-year declines in sales.
NAR also reported that properties typically remained on the market for longer than a year earlier, while rising mortgage rates continued to affect housing affordability and buyer activity.
The report reflects continued changes in housing market conditions, including increasing inventory, rising home prices and ongoing affordability challenges.
Source: National Association of REALTORS®, October 13, 2026.
