Home sales are the lowest they ve been all year even though inventory is at a 7

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Published: 2026-09-10T14:41:14.362Z • Permanent link

Urgent news has emerged from the US housing market, where sales have plummeted to their lowest level in 14 months, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The slowdown has been attributed to a lack of demand, which has pushed up the number of homes for sale to nearly a 7-year high. The NAR reported that existing home sales fell 1.8% in July, down from a 5.6% increase in June. This represents a significant reversal of the trend seen in recent months, when sales had been rising steadily.

Data from Zillow, a leading online real estate platform, suggests that the slowdown is widespread and not limited to any particular region. The company reported that home sales have fallen by 2.5% year-over-year, with the largest declines seen in the Midwest and Northeast. Meanwhile, home prices have continued to rise, with the median sales price of existing homes reaching $390,000 in July, up from $375,000 in June.

Experts say that the slowdown is due in part to rising interest rates, which have made borrowing more expensive for homebuyers. This has led to a decrease in demand, particularly among first-time buyers. "We're seeing a classic case of supply and demand," said Sarah Binder, a housing economist at the Urban Institute. "As interest rates rise, demand for housing slows, which in turn drives up inventory.

Prior to this recent slowdown, the US housing market had been experiencing a period of strong growth, driven by low interest rates and a shortage of inventory. However, this trend was beginning to show signs of fatigue, with some analysts warning of a potential correction. "We've been warning about the risks of a housing bubble for some time now," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. "The recent slowdown in sales is a clear indication that the market is beginning to correct itself.

In terms of broader context, the US housing market is closely tied to the broader economy. A slowdown in housing sales can have a ripple effect on other sectors, such as construction and consumer spending. "The housing market is a key driver of economic growth," said Alan Hershenson, a senior economist at the National Association of Realtors. "When housing sales slow, it can have a significant impact on the broader economy.

Demand for housing data is always a top priority for professionals in the industry. This latest slowdown in sales has significant implications for companies that rely on housing data, such as real estate platforms, lenders, and researchers. To stay ahead of the curve, analysts will need to pay close attention to sales data, as well as other indicators of market activity.