December’s existing home sales were up by 5.1% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.35 million, according to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Compared to one year earlier, sales were up by 1.4%
Month-over-month sales increased in all regions while year-over-year sales were up in the South, down in the Northeast, and flat in the Midwest and West. The month’s total housing inventory of 1.18 million units was down by 18.1% from November and up 3.5% from December 2024 (1.14 million). December carried a 3.3-month supply of unsold inventory, down from 4.2 months in November and up from 3.2 months in December 2024.
The $405,400 median existing home price for all housing types marked a 0.4% uptick from the $403,700 price set one year before. December was the 30th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.
“2025 was another tough year for homebuyers, marked by record-high home prices and historically low home sales,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “However, in the fourth quarter, conditions began improving, with lower mortgage rates and slower home price growth. December home sales, after adjusting for seasonal factors, were the strongest in nearly three years. The gains were broad-based, with all four major regions improving from the prior month.”
“Inventory levels remain tight,” Yun added. “With fewer sellers feeling eager to move, homeowners are taking their time deciding when to list or delist their homes. Similar to past years, more inventory is expected to come to market beginning in February.”
