2026.10.1314:06:07UTC+00US Existing Home Sales Remain Weak

Existing home sales in the United States rose 1.5% in September 2026 from the prior month’s two-year low, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million units, slightly above market expectations of 3.95 million. Total housing inventory increased to 1.6 million units, up 1.9% from the previous month, equivalent to 4.8 months of supply at the current sales pace.

Regionally, sales edged higher in the South (up 2.8% to 1.86 million) and the West (up 2.8% to 0.73 million), offsetting a decline in the Northeast (down 2.1% to 0.47 million) and flat activity in the Midwest (steady at 0.93 million).

“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.”