W
ASHINGTON (Nov. 20, 2025) – Existing‑home sales rose 1.2 % in October, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.10 million units, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Existing‑Home Sales Report. Year‑over‑year sales climbed 1.7 %. Inventory stood at 1.52 million homes, a 0.7 % decline from September but 10.9 % above October 2024, giving a 4.4‑month supply of unsold homes.
Median prices for all housing types hit $415,200, up 2.1 % from a year ago, marking the 28th straight month of YoY gains. Single‑family homes saw a 0.8 % MoM increase to 3.71 million annualized sales, with a median price of $420,600 (2.2 % YoY rise). Condominiums and co‑ops grew 5.4 % MoM to 390,000 annualized sales, median price $363,700 (0.9 % YoY).
Regional performance:
• Northeast – unchanged MoM, 4.3 % YoY rise, median $503,700 (6.5 % YoY).
• Midwest – 5.3 % MoM increase, 2.1 % YoY rise, median $319,500 (4.6 % YoY).
• South – 0.5 % MoM rise, 2.8 % YoY increase, median $362,300 (0.3 % YoY).
• West – 1.3 % MoM decline, 2.6 % YoY drop, median $628,500 (0.1 % YoY).
NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun noted that sales grew despite the federal shutdown, citing lower mortgage rates. “First‑time buyers face supply shortages in the Northeast and high prices in the West, but find more affordable options in the Midwest and ample inventory in the South,” Yun said. He added that falling rents should ease inflation, prompting the Federal Reserve to consider further rate cuts and quantitative easing, which would indirectly lower mortgage rates and boost buyer activity.
The REALTORS® Confidence Index for October reported a median 34 days on market, 32 % of sales by first‑time buyers, 29 % cash transactions, 16 % by investors or second‑home buyers, and 4 % distressed sales. The average 30‑year fixed‑rate mortgage was 6.25 %, down from 6.35 % in September and 6.43 % a year earlier.
NAR will release its Pending Home Sales Index for October on Nov. 25 and the November Existing‑Home Sales report on Dec. 19, both at 10 a.m. Eastern. The data derive from Multiple Listing Service closings; NAR also benchmarks against other sources to capture non‑MLS activity. Seasonal adjustments account for typical variations in resale activity, while the median price reflects market conditions more accurately than average prices.
For further details, local MLS data from regional REALTOR® associations provide the most precise sales and price information. Consumer guides on buying and selling are available at facts.realtor.
