Last updated: October 2026
By Dustin Randall Olson, Coach DO
Key takeaways
- Existing-home sales ran at 3.99 million in September 2026, up 1.5% from August and down 2.2% from a year earlier, NAR reported on October 13, 2026.
- Unsold inventory reached 1.60 million homes as of September 2026, a 4.8-month supply and the highest level since November 2019, per NAR.
- The typical home spent 33 days on the market in September 2026, two days longer than in August, per NAR (October 13, 2026).
- NAR’s September 2026 median existing-home price was $417,500, up 1.3% from a year ago, so prices are holding while sales stay slow.
- Coach DO’s take: plan for a softer fourth quarter and win it through follow-up. Freddie Mac’s October 15, 2026 survey put the 30-year fixed rate at 7.40%.
Existing-home sales rose 1.5% in September 2026, but the headline hides a market that is still slow and tilting toward buyers. NAR released the numbers on October 13, and the details matter more than the gain.
NAR also revised August down, so part of that monthly bump is just a lower starting line. August and September were the two slowest months of the year for sales.
What the September 2026 existing-home sales report says
Here are the numbers worth knowing, all from NAR’s report released October 13, 2026.
| Measure (September 2026) | Reading | Why an agent cares |
|---|---|---|
| Existing-home sales | 3.99 million annual rate (+1.5% vs August, -2.2% vs a year ago) | Fewer closings to go around |
| Median price | $417,500 (+1.3% vs a year ago) | Prices are not collapsing |
| Unsold inventory | 1.60 million homes, 4.8-month supply | Buyers have real choices |
| Median days on market | 33 days (31 in August) | Overpriced homes sit longer |
| First-time buyers | 31% of sales | Entry-level demand is still there |
| Cash sales | 27% (30% a year ago) | More deals depend on financing |
NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said higher inventory and lengthening days on market “give buyers improved negotiating power.” He also pointed to rising mortgage rates as the main drag, since fewer buyers qualify.
Why sales are slow while prices hold
Supply is no longer the problem. Demand is. Freddie Mac’s survey on October 15, 2026 showed the 30-year fixed at 7.40%, against 6.27% a year earlier, and that gap keeps qualified buyers on the sidelines.
Prices hold because most owners are not forced to sell. Distressed sales were only 2% of the September total. So you get a market where sellers still expect last year’s number and buyers expect a deal.
That gap is where agents earn their fee, or lose the listing.
Three moves for your listing conversations
1. Lead with local data, not the national headline. NAR’s numbers are national. Pull your own board’s October numbers for days on market, price reductions, and list-to-sale ratio, and show the seller the homes that actually sold near them.
2. Have the pricing talk on day one. NAR’s Yun advised sellers to price realistically for local conditions, since discounts and incentives may be needed. A home priced right in week one beats a home chased down in week six.
3. Set the 33-day expectation in writing. Tell the seller what a normal marketing period looks like in your area now, and agree on a review date. Hope is not a strategy, and a scheduled check-in beats an awkward phone call at day 45.
Two moves for your buyers
Use the leverage honestly. Longer days on market give buyers room to ask for repairs, credits, or time. Review the seller’s history on the property before you write the offer.
Send buyers to a lender early. With rates moving week to week, a current pre-approval keeps a buyer’s budget real. Leave rate and payment advice to the lender.
Protect your fourth quarter pipeline
NAR’s chief economist said fourth-quarter closing activity will clearly be down. If fewer deals are out there, the agent with the better follow-up gets more of them. Work your database and sphere of influence every week, and tighten your lead generation and conversion habits before the holidays.
Make sure people can find you, too. A buyer who searches your name should land on a clean Google profile, which is exactly what the Google Business Profile service covers. If you want a plan for a slower season, see how real estate coaching works with Coach DO.
Frequently asked questions
How many existing homes sold in September 2026?
NAR reported a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million existing-home sales in September 2026, up 1.5% from August and down 2.2% from September 2025 (NAR, October 13, 2026).
Is it a buyer’s market right now?
It is tilting that way. Inventory sits at a 4.8-month supply and days on market are rising, but local conditions vary widely. Check your own area before you tell a client either way.
What should I tell sellers about pricing?
Show them recent local sales and current days on market, then price to the conditions in their neighborhood. NAR’s chief economist advised sellers to price realistically since discounts and incentives may be needed.
When is the next NAR existing-home sales report?
NAR has scheduled the October 2026 report for Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.
Want to see how your own profile shows up when buyers and sellers search for you? Get your free 100-point Google and AI audit from Coach DO.
About the author: Dustin Randall Olson (Coach DO) is a triple certified business coach, fifth generation real estate professional, and founder of Coach DO, LLC. He created GAS Engine Optimization and the PAWN+ identity framework, which help real estate agents across the United States and Canada get found on Google and recommended by AI search. He coaches the whole person, not just the business, from his home base in Franklin, Tennessee.