Existing Home Sales Show Slight Uptick, But Market Remains Subdued
After a slowdown in June, existing-home sales saw a modest rebound in July. According to the latest data released August 21, sales increased 2.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.01 million, marking a 0.8% gain compared with the same period last year.
While this uptick may seem encouraging, a broader view highlights that the market is still well below pre-pandemic levels. For the past three years, sales have consistently hovered around 75% of what was typical before 2020, illustrating a long-term slowdown in the home resale sector.
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), pointed to slightly improved affordability and steady wage growth as key factors helping buyers enter the market. “Greater selection in many regions is also giving homebuyers more options,” he noted. Yun added that while some areas are seeing stable prices and others modest declines, overall, homeowners remain in a strong position, with median home values having risen about 49% since mid-2019. Distressed sales remain minimal, and inventory levels are at their highest since May 2020, giving buyers stronger leverage than in recent years.
Regional Insights (July 2025)
| Region | Annual Sales Rate | MoM Change | Median Price | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 500,000 | +8.7% | $509,300 | +0.8% |
| Midwest | 940,000 | -1.1% | $333,800 | +3.9% |
| South | 1,805,000 | +2.2% | $367,400 | -0.6% |
| West | 720,000 | +1.4% | $620,700 | -1.4% |
National Market Snapshot
- Total Housing Inventory: 1.55 million units (+0.6% vs June; +15.7% YoY)
- Unsold Inventory Supply: 4.6 months (down from 4.7 in June; up from 4.0 a year ago)
- Median Existing-Home Price: $422,400 (+0.2% YoY)
- Typical Time on Market: 28 days (up from 27 last month; up from 24 a year ago)
- First-Time Buyer Share: 28% (down from 30% in June)
- Cash Sales Share: 31% (up from 29%)
- Investor/Second-Home Buyer Share: 20% (up from 14%)
- Distressed Sales Share: 2% (down from 3% in June)
Although July’s numbers indicate a slight rebound, the market continues to move cautiously. Inventory gains provide buyers with more negotiating power, while historically low levels of distressed sales and steady price appreciation suggest that homeowners retain significant equity. For now, the market remains steady but far from a full-scale recovery. For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit 👉 Nadlan Capital Group.
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