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Existing-Home Sales Rise 3.2% in May, Prices Hit Record High

Created at 10 Jul · 10:05 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Existing-home sales increased 3.2% month-over-month and year-over-year in May, reaching 4.17 million units. The median existing-home price rose 1.3% from the previous year to $429,300, marking the 35th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

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Key Numbers

3.2%May existing-home sales increase (MoM & YoY)
4.17 millionMay existing-home sales annual rate
$429,300May median existing-home price
1.3%Year-over-year median price increase (May)
35Consecutive months of YoY price increases
1.55 millionMay housing inventory units
4.5-monthMay supply of unsold inventory
105.6May Housing Affordability Index
2.4%June existing-home sales decrease (MoM)
4.09 millionJune existing-home sales annual rate
$440,600June average existing-home price
1.8%Year-over-year average price increase (June)

Who's Involved

Sarah Wheeler
Editor in Chief of HousingWire
Logan Mohtashami
Lead Analyst at HousingWire
National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
Provider of Existing-Home Sales data
Dr. Lawrence Yun
NAR Chief Economist
Existing-Home Sales Rise 3.2% in May, Prices Hit Record High

↳ Why This Matters

The data indicates a resilient housing market with continued price appreciation, though recent figures suggest a potential cooling in sales volume. This impacts affordability for buyers and the financial standing of homeowners.

Key facts

  • Existing-home sales rose 3.2% month-over-month and year-over-year in May.
  • The median existing-home price reached $429,300 in May, a 1.3% increase from the previous year.
  • Total housing inventory stood at 1.55 million units in May.
  • Existing home sales decreased by 2.4% in June.
  • The average price of existing home sales in June was $440,600, up 1.8% year-over-year.

Existing-home sales saw a 3.2% increase month-over-month and year-over-year in May, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.17 million units, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

This rise was driven by improvements in affordability, with mortgage rates lower than a year ago and income gains outpacing home price growth. The median existing-home price for all housing types climbed 1.3% from May 2025 to $429,300, marking the 35th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases. Total housing inventory in May was 1.55 million units, a slight increase from April, representing a 4.5-month supply.

However, data for June indicated a slowdown, with existing home sales falling by 2.4% from May to a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of 4.09 million units. This decline was seen across the South, Midwest, and West regions, with only the Northeast experiencing an increase. Despite the dip in sales volume, the average price of existing home sales in June rose by 1.8% from the previous year to $440,600.

Frequently asked questions

Existing-Home Sales data measures the sales and prices of existing single-family homes, condos, and co-ops nationwide and by region.

The median existing-home price for all housing types in May 2026 was $429,300.

In May 2026, there was a 4.5-month supply of unsold inventory, and in June 2026, it was 4.6 months.

The Housing Affordability Index measures whether a typical family could afford a typical home. It registered at 105.6 in May 2026.

What Happens Next

01Existing-Home Sales for July 2026 will be released on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.

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Cadence

How It Developed

Existing-home sales increased by 3.2% month-over-month in May.
Existing-home sales increased by 3.2% year-over-year in May.
Sales increased in the Northeast, Midwest, and South regions.
The median existing-home price for all housing types was $429,300 in May.
This median price represents a 1.3% increase from May 2025.
Total housing inventory in May was 1.55 million units.
The housing affordability index registered at 105.6 in May.
Existing home sales in the US fell by 2.4% in June.

Sources

T1
Existing home sales and rising home pricesHousingWire
T2
Existing-Home Salesnar.realtor
T2
NAR Existing-Home Sales Report Shows 3.2% Increase in Maynar.realtor
T2
United States Existing Home Salestradingeconomics.com

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