NAR: Existing U.S. Home Sales Decreased 4.9% in January, But Increased Year-Over-Year for Fourth Consecutive Month

WASHINGTON—Existing-home sales retreated in January, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales slipped in three major U.S. regions and held steady in the Midwest. Year-over-year, sales rose in three regions and were unchanged in the South, according to the data released by NAR on Feb. 21.

Total existing-home sales—completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops—descended 4.9% from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.08 million in January. Year-over-year, sales improved 2.0% (up from 4 million in January 2024).

“Mortgage rates have refused to budge for several months despite multiple rounds of short-term interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “When combined with elevated home prices, housing affordability remains a major challenge.”

Total housing inventory registered at the end of January was 1.18 million units, up 3.5% from December and 16.8% from one year ago (1.01 million). Unsold inventory sits at a 3.5-month supply at the current sales pace, up from 3.2 months in December and 3.0 months in January 2024.

"More housing supply allows strongly qualified buyers to enter the market," Yun added. "But for many consumers, both increased inventory and lower mortgage rates are necessary for them to purchase a different home or become first-time homeowners."

The median existing-home price for all housing types in January was $396,900, up 4.8% from one year ago ($378,600). All four U.S. regions registered price increases.

According to the monthly REALTORS Confidence Index, properties typically remained on the market for 41 days in January, up from 35 days in December and 36 days in January 2024.

First-time buyers were responsible for 28% of sales in January, down from 31% in December 2024 and identical to January 2024. NAR's 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers—released November 2024—found that the annual share of first-time buyers was 24%, the lowest ever recorded.

Cash sales accounted for 29% of transactions in January, up from 28% in December but down from 32% in January 2024.

Individual investors or second-home buyers, who make up many cash sales, purchased 17% of homes in January, up from 16% in December and unchanged from January 2024.

Distressed sales—foreclosures and short sales—represented 3% of sales in January, virtually unchanged from December and the previous year.

According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.85% as of Feb. 20. That's down from 6.87% one week ago and 6.90% one year ago.

Single-family home sales declined 5.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.68 million in January, up 2.2% from the previous year. The median existing single-family home price was $402,000 in January, up 5.0% from January 2024.

Existing condominium and co-op sales faded 2.4% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 400,000 units, identical to one year ago. The median existing condo price was $349,500 in January, up 2.9% from the prior year ($339,500).

In January, existing-home sales in the Northeast fell 5.7% from December to an annual rate of 500,000, up 4.2% from January 2024. The median price in the Northeast was $475,400, up 9.5% from one year earlier.

In the Midwest, existing-home sales were unchanged in January at an annual rate of 1 million, up 5.3% from the previous year. The median price in the Midwest was $290,400, up 7.2% from January 2024.

Existing-home sales in the South fell 6.2% from December to an annual rate of 1.83 million in January, identical to one year before. The median price in the South was $356,300, up 3.5% from last year.

In the West, existing-home sales slumped 7.4% in January to an annual rate of 750,000, up 1.4% from a year ago. The median price in the West was $614,200, up 7.4% from January 2024.