New-Home Sales Hold Near 676,000 Pace as Supply Stretches to 8.4 Months

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Sales of newly built single-family homes were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 in September, a 0.6% decrease from August, according to figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The change was within the survey’s margin of error, meaning the data do not establish a statistically significant monthly decline.

The October 27 report put sales 5.3% below September 2025’s 714,000 annualized pace. That annual change also fell within the reported margin of error. August’s sales estimate was revised to 680,000.

Builders Face More Than Eight Months of Supply

An estimated 476,000 new homes were available for sale at the end of September, down from a revised 481,000 in August. At September’s estimated sales pace, that inventory represented 8.4 months of supply, compared with 8.5 months in August and 8.2 months a year earlier. The inventory level and months-of-supply estimates are distinct: the latter depends on the pace of sales as well as the number of homes available.

The median price of a new home sold in September was $400,400, up 3.9% from August’s $385,400 and down 3.9% from September 2025’s $416,800. Both reported price changes were within their respective margins of error. The average sales price was $472,800.

New-home sales are counted when a sales contract is signed or a deposit is accepted, rather than when construction is completed. The estimates are subject to revisions and sampling uncertainty, making trends over several months more informative than a single month’s movement.

The release follows WRE News’ preview of this week’s housing indicators.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau and HUD, New Residential Sales, September 2026, released October 27.