US Existing-Home Sales Slide in October

On Thursday, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that total existing-home sales—completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops—fell 5.5% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 3.75 million. Year-over-year, sales were down 8.8%.

By region, sales held steady in the Northeast but declined in the Midwest, South, and West. Compared to a year ago, sales were lower in all four regions.

Total housing inventory at the end of October was 1.59 million units, up 1.3% from September and 4.6% from October 2025. At the current sales pace, unsold inventory sits at a 5.1-month supply—up from 4.7 months in September and 4.4 months a year earlier.

The median existing-home price for all housing types was $416,700 in October, a 0.4% increase from $414,900 a year ago. This marked the 40th consecutive month of year-over-year price gains.

According to NAR’s monthly REALTORS Confidence Index, properties typically remained on the market for 35 days in October, compared to 33 days in September and 34 days a year earlier. First-time homebuyers accounted for 29% of sales, down from 31% in September and 32% in October 2025.

The NAR Housing Affordability Index fell to 100.7 in October from 107.3 a year earlier. Year-over-year, the index declined in all four regions, with the Northeast down 8.7%, the Midwest down 7.2%, the South down 5.4%, and the West down 5.2%.