Existing-home sales rebounded decently in February, recovering some ground after January’s sharp pullback, while improving price and gradually expanding inventory helped support purchaser activity.Sales increased 1.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.09 million.
“Housing cost is improving, and customers are reacting,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. The group’s Housing Cost Index increased to 117.6 in February, the highest reading given that March 2022 and the 8th successive regular monthly enhancement. Yun noted that wage development is now surpassing home-price development by nearly 4 portion points, while home mortgage rates are likewise lower than a year earlier.
Inventory continued to broaden, though at a measured rate. Overall real estate inventory increased to 1.29 million systems, up 2.4% from January and 4.9% higher than a year earlier. That corresponds to a 3.8-month supply of homes at the current sales rate.
Cost growth stayed subdued however favorable. The median existing-home cost for all real estate types rose to $398,000, a modest 0.3% increase from a year back and the 32nd successive month of yearly gains.
Regional Breakdown (Sales and Rates, February 2026)
| Area | Sales (yearly rate) | Mommy Modification | Mean Cost | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 470k | -6.0% | $479,800 | +3.3% |
| Midwest | 940k | +1.1% | $302,100 | +2.3% |
| South | 1.89 m | +1.6% | $356,800 | +0.2% |
| West | 790k | +8.2% | $603,100 | -1.9% |
National Market Statistics
- Overall Housing Inventory: 1.29 million units (up 2.4% from January; up 4.9% YoY)
- Unsold Stock Supply: 3.8 months (the same from last month; up from 3.6 one year ago)
- Typical Existing-Home Price: $398,000 (up 0.3% YoY; 32nd consecutive yearly increase)
- Single-Family Mean Rate: $401,800 (up 0.2% YoY)
- Condo/Co-op Typical Price: $358,100 (up 0.9% YoY)
- Single-Family Sales: 3.73 million (up 2.5% MAMA; down 1.1% YoY)
- Condo/Co-op Sales: 360k (down 5.3% MOTHER; down 5.3% YoY)