What did existing home sales look like in August 2026?

More homes were listed for sale in August than there have been in any monthly period in more than 10 years, a report released today on existing home sales by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) said.

Existing home sales, which the NAR defines as completed transactions for properties that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, decreased as much as 2% from July in three of four regions of the nation. Sales also slid slightly in three of four regions from August 2025.

The NAR expressed optimism that the volume of homes available would allow buyers more choices and wiggle room on price.

“The number of months it would take to exhaust the total inventory at the current sales pace has grown to 4.9 months’ supply, its highest level in over 10 years,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said. “The ample supply of homes for sale on the market is giving homebuyers better opportunities to negotiate.”

Current homeowners, whether seasoned or recent, may have seen their home values increase in August as well. The NAR reported that August was the 38th consecutive month that median home prices have increased, with the median existing-home price for all housing types hitting $429,100. Even with this increase in home prices, housing affordability is up in all four regions the NAR tracks, the report said.

Total homes for sale nationwide at the end of August were 1.62 million units, up 3.2% from July and up 5.9% from August 2025. With the amount of homes on the market up somewhat significantly, potential buyers might not want to wait before searching for their dream home.

With the median home value increasing across the county, it may also be a good time for homeowners to consider accessing their current home’s value without selling through a HELOC.

Which regions showed changes in existing home sales?

None of the four regions the NAR tracks in the U.S. showed increases in sales of existing homes in August compared to the previous month, the NAR said.

• Sales of existing homes in the West stayed the same in August compared to the previous month
• Completed transactions in the South fell 1.6% from the previous month
• In the Midwest, existing home sales saw a 3.1% decrease compared to a month earlier
• The Northeast saw a 4% drop in existing home sales from July. 

August is toward the end of the summer homebuying season. Summer tends to see the largest number of homes on the market. Summertime can also be the easiest time of the year to move.

If you are looking to see more homes on the market and avoid potential harsh weather, it may be time to consider joining the housing market before colder weather sets in.

Did mortgage rates show any change?

According to data from Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.76% as of Sept. 10. That’s a slight increase from 6.71% one week ago and 6.35% one year earlier.

A reduction in mortgage interest rates will likely be a welcome sign to prospective homebuyers. A decrease in mortgage rates could also signal a continuing thaw in the housing market as the annual summer homebuying season comes to a close.

Are you ready to start seeing the benefits of homeownership? Apply for a mortgage pre-approval and begin your journey toward your dream home with Rate! A pre-approval shows sellers and real estate agents that you’re a serious buyer and gives you an idea of how much of a mortgage you’re likely to get approved for.

 
*National average rates from Freddie Mac as of Sept. 10, 2026, are not advertised rates from Rate.

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