Existing-Home Sales Increase by 1.5% in September, According to NAR Report

Strategic Insights -

Existing-home sales in the United States experienced a 1.5% increase in September, with the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) reporting a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million. This represents a 4.1% year-over-year increase, with sales rising in the Northeast, South, and West, while falling in the Midwest. The report attributes the increase in sales to falling mortgage rates and improving housing affordability, with NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun stating that "falling mortgage rates are lifting home sales" and "inventory is matching a five-year high, though it remains below pre-COVID levels."

Key Takeaways:

  • Existing-home sales increased by 1.5% month-over-month in September, with a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million.
  • Sales rose in the Northeast (2.1%), South (1.6%), and West (5.5%), while falling in the Midwest (2.1%).
  • Year-over-year sales increased in the Northeast (4.3%), Midwest (2.2%), and South (6.9%), while remaining flat in the West.
  • Median sales price in September was $415,200, up 2.1% from last year.
  • Inventory in September reached 1.55 million units, a 1.3% increase from August and a 14.0% increase from September 2024.
  • The median time on market for properties was 33 days, up from 31 days last month and 28 days in September 2024.
  • 30% of sales were first-time homebuyers, up from 28% in July and 26% in September 2024.
  • 30% of transactions were cash sales, up from 28% the previous month and unchanged from September 2024.

Statistics:

  • Existing-home sales increased by 1.5% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million in September.
  • Sales rose in the Northeast (2.1% to 490,000), South (1.6% to 1.86 million), and West (5.5% to 770,000), while falling in the Midwest (2.1% to 940,000) in September.
  • Median sales price was $415,200 in September, up 2.1% from last year ($406,700).
  • Inventory in September reached 1.55 million units, a 1.3% increase from August and a 14.0% increase from September 2024 (1.36 million).
  • Median time on market for properties was 33 days in September, up from 31 days last month and 28 days in September 2024.
  • 30% of sales were first-time homebuyers in September, up from 28% in July and 26% in September 2024.
  • 30% of transactions were cash sales in September, up from 28% the previous month and unchanged from September 2024.

Sources:

  • National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Report, October 2025
  • GLOBE NEWSWIRE, October 23, 2025
  • National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Website, [www.nar.realtor](http://www.nar.realtor)