Existing-home sales rose 1.5% in September as inventory climbed

How did home sales do in September 2026?

Existing-home sales rose 1.5% from August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million in September 2026, according to the National Association of Realtors report released October 13. Sales were 2.2% lower than in September 2025.

NAR's chief economist, Lawrence Yun, noted that even with the monthly gain, August and September were the two slowest months for sales this year.

What happened to prices and inventory?

The national median existing-home price was $417,500, up 1.3% from a year earlier. Inventory rose to 1.60 million homes for sale, equal to a 4.8-month supply at the current sales pace.

First-time buyers made up 31% of sales and all-cash purchases made up 27%, per the same report.

What about the South, including Texas and Oklahoma?

NAR does not break out individual states in this release, but its South region, which includes Texas and Oklahoma, posted a 2.8% monthly sales increase to a 1.86 million annual rate. That was down 0.5% from a year earlier. The South's median price was $361,000, up 0.2% year over year.

Why does it matter?

More inventory and flat prices tilt negotiating power slightly toward buyers. A 4.8-month supply is still below the roughly six months many analysts treat as a balanced market, so sellers are not under heavy pressure yet.