U.S. existing-home sales rose 1.5% in September 2026 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million, according to the National Association of REALTORS. The median existing-home price was $417,500, up 1.3% from a year earlier, and inventory climbed to 1.60 million homes. NAR's October report is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2026.
September sales edge up from a slow August
NAR reported that existing-home sales increased 1.5% in September 2026 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million. Sales rose month over month in the South and West, held steady in the Midwest and fell in the Northeast, while all four regions were down from a year earlier.
According to NAHB's summary of the NAR data, sales were 2.2% below September 2025. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said "August and September marked the two slowest months for home sales this year," and added that recent rate increases mean "fewer buyers can qualify to purchase a home."
Prices still rising, but slowly
The national median existing-home price was $417,500 in September, up 1.3% from a year earlier, per Mortgage News Daily's coverage of the release. That marked the 39th consecutive month of annual gains, though the pace of increase has cooled.
Regional prices diverged. The South, which includes Texas, posted a median of $361,000, up just 0.2% year over year. The Northeast median was $523,600 (up 4.7%), the Midwest $329,600 (up 3.1%) and the West $613,600 (down 0.3%).
More inventory, longer market times
Unsold inventory rose to 1.60 million homes, up 1.9% from August and 4.6% from a year earlier. That equals a 4.8-month supply at the current sales pace, unchanged from August and up from 4.5 months a year ago. Median time on market lengthened to 33 days from 31 in August.
The South, the largest region, ran at a 1.86 million annual pace in September, up 2.8% from August. Midwest sales were flat at 930,000, the West rose 2.8% to 730,000 and the Northeast slipped 2.1% to 470,000.
Yun noted that "higher inventory and lengthening days on market give buyers improved negotiating power." First-time buyers made up 31% of September sales and all-cash purchases 27% (down from 30% a year earlier), according to NAHB's summary of the data.
New-home sales: lower median price, ample supply
The Census Bureau and HUD reported on Oct. 27, 2026 that new single-family home sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 in September, 0.6% below August and 5.3% below September 2025. Census notes these monthly changes carry wide margins of error.
The median new-home price was $400,400, below the $417,500 existing-home median and 3.9% lower than a year earlier. Builders had 476,000 new homes for sale, an 8.4-month supply. Builder incentives can vary widely, so buyers comparing new and existing homes may want to weigh the total cost, not just the list price.
What this means for Texas borrowers
With the South's median price nearly flat and inventory rising nationally, Texas buyers may find more room to negotiate than in recent years. Rates remain the bigger hurdle: Freddie Mac's survey showed a 7.18% average 30-year fixed rate for the week of Nov. 5, 2026, versus 6.22% a year earlier.
Before you shop, estimate your payment with our rate calculator and compare loan types such as conventional, FHA and fixed vs. adjustable options. If you are buying new construction, ask how builder incentives interact with your financing. Our home purchase page walks through the process, and a loan officer can help compare scenarios.
- Watch NAR's October existing-home sales report, scheduled for Nov. 12, 2026.
- Local Texas data can differ from national figures; see our Texas mortgage guide.
Sources
- Existing-Home Sales (September 2026), National Association of REALTORS (October 16, 2026)
- Existing Home Sales Increased in September, NAHB Eye On Housing
- Existing Home Sales: NAR Inventory and Prices, Mortgage News Daily (October 16, 2026)
- Monthly New Residential Sales, September 2026, U.S. Census Bureau and HUD (October 27, 2026)
- Primary Mortgage Market Survey, Freddie Mac (November 5, 2026)
This article is for general information about the mortgage market and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Figures come from the sources listed and may have changed since publication. Rates and averages cited are published market data, not an offer or HomyLoan rates. HomyLoan, LLC is a licensed mortgage broker, Company NMLS 2783307, not a lender. All loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Equal Housing Opportunity.
