Kevin Sears President | Official website
Existing-home sales in the United States rose by 5.1% in December, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.35 million, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Existing-Home Sales Report released on January 14, 2026. The report offers data for agents, buyers, and sellers on home sales levels, prices, and inventory.
Month-over-month sales increased across all regions. Compared to the previous year, sales were up in the South, unchanged in the Midwest and West, and down in the Northeast.
"2025 was another tough year for homebuyers, marked by record-high home prices and historically low home sales,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "However, in the fourth quarter, conditions began improving, with lower mortgage rates and slower home price growth. December home sales, after adjusting for seasonal factors, were the strongest in nearly three years. The gains were broad-based, with all four major regions improving from the prior month."
Yun added: "Inventory levels remain tight. With fewer sellers feeling eager to move, homeowners are taking their time deciding when to list or delist their homes. Similar to past years, more inventory is expected to come to market beginning in February."
The total housing inventory at the end of December was 1.18 million units—down 18.1% from November but up 3.5% from December of the previous year—representing a 3.3-month supply at the current sales pace.
The median existing-home price for all housing types was $405,400 in December—a 0.4% increase from one year ago—marking the thirtieth consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.
Single-family home sales rose by 5.1% month over month to an annual rate of 3.95 million and were up 1.8% compared to December last year; their median price reached $409,500 (up 0.2%). Condominium and co-op sales increased by 5.3% month over month but fell by 2.4% compared to last year; their median price climbed by 1.5%, reaching $364,400.
Regionally:
- In the Northeast: Sales increased by 2% from November but declined by 1.9% compared to last year; median price rose by 3.7%.
- In the Midwest: Sales grew by 2%, remaining flat compared to last year; median price increased by 3.1%.
- In the South: Sales advanced by 6.9%, with a yearly gain of 3.6%; median price decreased slightly (down 0.3%).
- In the West: Sales climbed by 6.6%, unchanged compared to last year; median price dropped by 1.4%.
The average rate for a thirty-year fixed-rate mortgage was reported at 6.19% for December—down from both November’s average (6.24%) and one year ago (6.72%).
NAR serves as a primary trade association for real estate professionals across residential and commercial sectors since its founding in 1908. It represents members through more than 1,200 local boards as well as state associations nationwide while providing research resources and supporting ethical standards within real estate practices.
For those seeking guidance on buying or selling homes—including information about written buyer agreements or negotiating compensation—the NAR provides consumer guides online at facts.realtor.
NAR's Pending Home Sales Index for December will be released January 21; January’s Existing-Home Sales Report is scheduled for February 12.
