Existing-Home Sales Slipped 2.0% in August

Washington, DC, September 22, 2021-Total existing-home sales fell 2.0% from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.88 million in August, according to the National Association of Realtors. Year-over-year, sales dropped 1.5% from a year ago (5.97 million in August 2020).

"Sales slipped a bit in August as prices rose nationwide," said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. "Although there was a decline in home purchases, potential buyers are out and about searching, but much more measured about their financial limits, and simply waiting for more inventory."

Total housing inventory at the end of August totaled 1.29 million units, down 1.5% from July's supply and down 13.4% from one year ago (1.49 million). Unsold inventory sits at a 2.6-month supply at the current sales pace, unchanged from July but down from 3.0 months in August 2020.

The median existing-home price for all housing types in August was $356,700, up 14.9% from August 2020 ($310,400), as prices increased in each region. This marks 114 straight months of year-over-year gains.

"High home prices make for an unbalanced market, but prices would normalize with more supply," Yun said.