Research and Statistics

Existing-home sales rose 1.2% in October 2025. Month-over-month sales increased in the Midwest and South, showed no change in the Northeast, and fell in the West. Year-over-year sales rose in the Northeast, Midwest and South, and decreased in the West. “Home sales increased in October even with the government shutdown due to homebuyers taking advantage of lower mortgage rates. Rents are decelerating which will reduce inflation and encourage the Federal Reserve to continue cutting rates and pulling back their quantitative tightening. This will help bring more homebuyers into the market since the Fed rate has an indirect impact on mortgage rates,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

In September 2025, pending home sales showed no change from the prior month and fell 0.9% year over year. “Contract signings matched the second-strongest pace of the year. However, signings have yet to fully reach the level needed for a healthy market despite mortgage rates reaching a one-year low. A record-high stock market and growing housing wealth in September were not enough to offset a likely softening job market,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.