09/16/2026
Three U.S. Housing Signals for September
As we step into September, it’s clear that the real estate landscape is shifting in subtle but important ways. Pending home sales have dipped slightly year-over-year, breaking an eight-month streak of gains as higher borrowing costs have tempered buyer enthusiasm. We’re also seeing contract signings ease, homes spending an average of 60 days on the market, and mortgage rates rising from around 6% in late Q1 to the high-6% range recently.
There’s a silver lining for buyers: the median list price has edged down to $424,500, about 20% of listings are experiencing price cuts, delistings have decreased compared to last year, and active inventory has risen by roughly 4%. Yet, even with more homes on the market, national inventory is still about 11% below pre-pandemic levels, underscoring a continued shortage lurking beneath buyer hesitation.
As someone who’s guided clients through the Valley and the Coastal area for over 25 years, I’m closely watching the way sellers approach pricing, the trends in delistings, and whether the gap between regions continues to narrow as both buyers and sellers respond to these firmer borrowing costs. These shifts are meaningful for anyone navigating today’s market, and staying informed is key to making smart real estate decisions.
