According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) report released on October 23, 2025, existing-home sales saw a month-over-month increase of 1.5% in September 2025. This resulted in a seasonally adjusted annual sales rate of 4.06 million homes. The report provides critical insights into the real estate market, encompassing data on sales levels, home prices, and available inventory.
NAR Report: September Existing-Home Sales Rise by 1.5%
Key highlights from the NAR’s report show that sales rose across the Northeast, South, and West, while the Midwest experienced a decline. Year-over-year comparisons indicated that the Northeast, Midwest, and South saw sales improvements, whereas sales in the West remained stable.
National Sales Overview
- Monthly Sales: 1.5% increase in existing-home sales.
- Annual Sales Rate: 4.06 million homes sold.
- Year-over-Year Increase: 4.1% rise in sales.
Inventory and Prices
The total housing inventory in September reached 1.55 million units, reflecting a 1.3% increase from August and a significant 14% rise from the same period in 2024. The current unsold inventory represents a supply of 4.6 months, consistent with August’s figures but higher than 4.2 months a year earlier.
- Median Sales Price: $415,200, marking a 2.1% rise from September 2024.
- Price Stability: This marks the 27th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.
Single-Family and Condo Sales
Sales of single-family homes rose by 1.7%, resulting in a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.69 million, which is a 4.5% increase from the same period last year. The median price for these homes was $420,700, up 2.3% from 2024.
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In contrast, the condominium and co-op market saw no change in sales, remaining at an annual rate of 370,000 units. The median price for these properties was $360,300, down 0.6% year-over-year.
Regional Sales Insights
- Northeast: 2.1% increase to 490,000 homes sold, median price at $500,300.
- Midwest: 2.1% decrease to 940,000 homes sold, median price at $320,800.
- South: 1.6% increase to 1.86 million homes sold, median price at $364,500.
- West: 5.5% increase to 770,000 homes sold, median price at $619,100.
Market Dynamics
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 6.35% in September, down from 6.59% in August. This decline in rates is credited for improving housing affordability and boosting sales.
Notably, first-time homebuyers constituted 30% of sales, increasing from prior months. Cash transactions also rose to 30%, while distressed sales remained unchanged at 2% of all transactions.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming releases from NAR, including the Pending Home Sales Index for September scheduled for October 29 and the October Existing-Home Sales report on November 20, will provide further insights into market trends and consumer behavior.
