Downloadpdf

Each month, the Research Update report provides a summary of the data, reports, blog posts, and instant reactions produced by NAR's research team.

September 2026

Data

Existing-Home Sales

Existing-home sales decreased by 2.0% month-over-month and 1.2% year-over-year. Month-over-month sales held steady in the West and declined in the Northeast, Midwest and South. Year-over-year sales were unchanged in the South and declined in the Northeast, Midwest and West.

Pending Home Sales

Pending home sales in August increased by 0.3% month-over-month and decreased 4.7% year-over-year. Month-over-month pending home sales increased in the South and West but declined in the Northeast and Midwest. Year-over-year pending home sales declined in all four major U.S. regions.

Housing Affordability Index

The Housing Affordability Index registered at 104.7, up from 101.2 a year ago. Year over year, affordability improved across all regions: Northeast +0.5%, Midwest +1.7%, South +4.5%, West +5.9%.

REALTORS® Confidence Index

31 days: Median time on market for properties, up from 29 days last month and unchanged from 31 days in August 2025. 30% of sales were first-time homebuyers, up from 29% in July and up from 28% one year ago. 27% of transactions were cash sales, up from 26% last month, down from 28% in August 2025.

How REALTORS® Can Use This

REALTORS® can use existing-home sales and pending home sales data to gauge current demand trends and anticipate market shifts. They can also utilize the affordability and quarterly data to identify pricing patterns and assess buyer capacity across different regions to adapt strategies for their clients.

Ask the Economist

How REALTORS® Can Use This

“Ask the Economist” is a new video series that gives REALTORS® a quick, easy-to-digest update on new economic trends and market activity, straight from NAR's Research Team. REALTORS® can use this in listing appointments to show buyers/sellers they’re up-to-date on interest rates, housing inventory, etc.; buyer consultations to explain why now might be a good time to act or wait based on real data; email follow-ups: “Here’s what NAR’s latest economist update says about local trends.”

Reports

2026 Data Center Impact Report

Data centers have been around for years, but until recently, most people paid them little attention. That has changed as cloud computing and artificial intelligence have increased the need for data centers and the infrastructure that supports them. For real estate, key questions include housing and jobs. Do areas with more data centers have weaker housing markets? Do they see more job growth? There are also questions about electricity costs and whether they are increasing faster in areas with more data centers. And why.

CARE (Community Aid and Real Estate) Report

(Member log-in required) 
REALTORS® and REALTOR® associations serve as pillars of their communities and find charitable activities and giving second nature as they work to give back and create impact. This report provides insight into the monetary and temporal contributions that general members-at-large, broker-owners, and Association Executives (AEs) or Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Staff give back to their communities.

Metro Market Statistics Dashboard 

(Member log-in required) 
NAR's Market Statistics Dashboard gives REALTORS® exclusive access to monthly local data on the impact of lower rates, housing affordability, prices, sales, & listing trends, economic conditions, the home buyer and seller profile, and more, with breakdowns by age, race/ethnicity, and income.

How REALTORS® Can Use This

REALTORS® can leverage NAR reports to provide clients with data-driven insights on specific market conditions and equip themselves with important knowledge about the market. This empowers members to assist buyers and sellers in making informed decisions regarding timing, pricing, and location.

Articles on the Economy

How REALTORS® Can Use This

REALTORS® can use the Economists’ Outlook blog to stay updated on experts’ commentary, economic forecasts, housing market outlooks, and regional trends, and then use these insights to help clients on timing purchases or sales based on anticipated market movement. By sharing analysis of the housing market and translating it into consumer-friendly guidance, agents can build credibility and empower their clients to navigate the housing market with confidence.

Download the full reportpdf