US Existing-Home Sales Rise in May

On Tuesday, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that total existing-home sales—completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops—rose 3.2% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 4.17 million. Year-over-year, sales were also up 3.2%.

By region, sales rose month-over-month in the Northeast, Midwest, and South, and were unchanged in the West. Compared to a year ago, sales were higher in the Midwest, South, and West, and lower in the Northeast.

Total housing inventory at the end of May was 1.55 million units, up 3.3% from April and 0.6% from May 2025. At the current sales pace, unsold inventory sits at a 4.5-month supply, unchanged from April but down from 4.6 months a year earlier.

The median existing-home price for all housing types was $429,300 in May, a 1.3% increase from $423,700 a year ago. This marked the 35th consecutive month of year-over-year price gains.

According to NAR’s monthly REALTORS Confidence Index, properties typically remained on the market for 29 days in May, compared to 27 days a year earlier.

NAR’s Housing Affordability Index registered a reading of 105.6 in May, up from 97.5 in May 2025. Year-over-year, affordability improved across all regions, led by the West at 11.0%, followed by the South at 8.4%, the Midwest at 6.6%, and the Northeast at 5.1%.