The freshest housing metrics for June show sales gaining real ground, even as price trends split sharply depending on where you’re standing.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales hit 422,000 in June, up +7.9% from May and up +7.9% year over year. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate landed at 4.09 million, down -2.4% from a revised May figure but still up +2.8% versus June 2025. On the supply side, Zillow counted 1.39 million homes for sale, up just +0.9% year over year, the smallest inventory gain since December 2023. NAR’s count of 1.56 million units works out to 4.6 months of supply, up +1.3% year over year.
Prices tell a divided story by region. The national median existing home price grew +1.8% to $440,600, marking the 36th consecutive month of annual gains. The Northeast led the pack at $564,800, up +3.9% year over year, followed by the Midwest at $346,600, up +2.7%. The South came in at $377,700, up +0.9%, while the West posted the smallest regional gain at $633,600, up +0.9% as well despite carrying the highest price tag.
Borrowing costs are holding their current range. Fannie Mae expects 30-year fixed rates to average 6.3% through 2026 and 2027, while the MBA projects rates reaching 6.5% by the fourth quarter of 2026 and holding there through 2027.
Current Forecasts
Forecasts for 2026 Home Sales (July ’26 forecast)
- NAR: +4.0% (4.22 million existing home sales vs. 4.06 million), revised April 2026
- MBA: +2.3% (4.87 million total home sales vs. 4.76 million)
- Fannie Mae: +0.2% (4.76 million total home sales vs. 4.75 million)
- Zillow: +1.9% (4.14 million existing home sales vs. 4.06 million)
Forecasts for 2027 Home Sales (July ’26 forecast)
- MBA: +6.6% (5.19 million total home sales vs. 4.87 million)
- Fannie Mae: +6.8% (5.09 million total home sales vs. 4.76 million)
MBA Forecast for Mortgage Originations (July ’26 forecast)
- 2026 Total Mortgage Originations: +3.8% (5.67 million loans vs. 5.46 million)
- Purchase: +2.6% (3.54 million loans vs. 3.45 million)
- Refi: +6.0% (2.13 million vs. 2.01 million)
- 2027 Total Mortgage Originations: +0.2% (5.68 million loans vs. 5.67 million)
- Purchase: +5.8% (3.74 million loans vs. 3.54 million)
- Refi: -9.0% (1.94 million vs. 2.13 million)
The takeaway
Sales are picking up steam, and that momentum is good news for inspectors watching for busier weeks ahead. Since price growth and inventory gains look different depending on the region, it pays to track what’s happening in your own local market rather than the national headline.
With mortgage rates expected to stay steady in the mid 6% zone, buyers have less reason to sit on the sidelines. Keep your reporting fast and your process consistent so you’re ready when local activity picks up.