The U.S. housing market in August 2026 carried more supply than it has in years at the same time the two halves of it moved in different directions. New single-family home sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 684,000, up 6.4% from July, with 8.5 months of new-home supply on the market. Existing-home sales ran below 4 million for the first time since June 2025, while the median existing-home price rose for the 38th straight month. Both can be true at once: buyers have more to choose from, and sellers who price to the current set still get paid.
Each card below carries a number, what it means, the primary source, and the date it was verified. Use them in a listing appointment, a market update, or a report — and cite the source, not the rounded version.
National housing market numbers
New single-family homes sold in August 2026, seasonally adjusted annual rate — up 6.4% from July.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau & HUD · released 2026-09-24 · verified 2026-10-01
New-home supply at the August sales pace, down from 9.0 months in July.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau/HUD via FRED · updated 2026-09-24 · verified 2026-10-01
New homes on the market at the end of August 2026, down from 488,000 in July.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau & HUD · released 2026-09-24 · verified 2026-10-01
Median new-home sale price in August 2026, down 5.8% year over year.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau & HUD · released 2026-09-24 · verified 2026-10-01
Existing homes sold at the seasonally adjusted annual rate in August 2026 — down 2.0% from July and 1.2% year over year; the first month below 4.0 million since June 2025.
Source: National Association of REALTORS® · released 2026-09-10 · verified 2026-10-01
Median existing-home price in August 2026, up 1.6% year over year — the 38th straight month of annual gains.
Source: National Association of REALTORS® · released 2026-09-10 · verified 2026-10-01
Existing homes for sale at the end of August 2026, up 5.9% year over year — the most since November 2019.
Source: National Association of REALTORS® · released 2026-09-10 · verified 2026-10-01
Existing-home supply in August 2026, up from 4.6 months in July — the highest in over ten years.
Source: National Association of REALTORS® · released 2026-09-10 · verified 2026-10-01
ListLogic, “Housing market statistics,” listlogic.homes/resources/housing-market-statistics/ (verified 2026-10-01). Data: U.S. Census Bureau and HUD (new-home sales, supply, inventory and median price, August 2026) and the National Association of REALTORS® (existing-home sales, inventory, supply and median price, August 2026).
How to use these numbers in a listing appointment
A national number is context, not a price. The seller's question is what their home will sell for against the homes a buyer would cross-shop. Put the two together: 4.9 months of existing-home supply tells a seller the market has choice, and the local competitive set tells them which choice a buyer makes. That is what a CMA built for the appointment shows on one screen — price against odds and supply — instead of a single number a seller can argue with.
For sellers who want to see the market before they list, start with the seller CMA. For the full pricing story you can present live, print and share, see listing presentation software.
FAQ
How much housing supply is there in the U.S. right now?
As of August 2026 there were 8.5 months of new-home supply at the current sales pace (U.S. Census Bureau/HUD, via FRED) and 4.9 months of existing-home supply, up from 4.6 in July (National Association of REALTORS®).
Are home prices rising or falling?
They are moving in opposite directions by segment. The median new-home sale price was $393,700 in August 2026, down 5.8% year over year (Census/HUD), while the median existing-home price was $429,100, up 1.6% year over year — the 38th straight month of annual gains (NAR).
How current are these housing market numbers?
Every figure on this page is linked to its primary release and stamped with the publication and verification date. The national cards were verified 2026-10-01 from releases dated 2026-09-10 and 2026-09-24.
Related: Listing price statistics · Colorado housing statistics · CMA software for realtors · Months of inventory