O
ctober saw the fastest rise in U.S. existing‑home sales since February, as falling mortgage rates drew more buyers. Sales climbed 1.2% from September to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 4.10 million units, the National Association of Realtors reported. Year‑over‑year sales were up 1.7%, beating economists’ forecast of 4.09 million. The median price rose 2.1% to $415,200, the 28th consecutive month of gains. Yet affordability and job‑market uncertainty still deter many buyers, as the average 30‑year mortgage rate hit its lowest level in over a year. The market has still been in decline since 2022, when rates rose from historic lows, and last year’s sales fell to a three‑decade low. This rebound follows downturn that began when rates surged in decade lows.