09/14/2026
Three U.S. Housing Signals for September
September brought a few notable shifts in the U.S. housing market. Pending home sales turned slightly negative year-over-year, pausing an 8-month stretch of gains as higher borrowing costs cooled some of the earlier buyer enthusiasm. Contract signings softened, homes spent an average of 60 days on the market, and mortgage rates climbed from roughly 6% in late Q1 to the high-6% range. For those looking to buy, there was a bit more leverage: the median list price dipped to $424,500, price cuts touched about 20% of listings, and active inventory nudged up by approximately 4%. Even so, national inventory was still about 11% below pre-pandemic norms, highlighting the ongoing shortage beneath the surface—even as buyer momentum slowed.
After nearly two decades in Arizona real estate, I’ve seen these cycles up close. What stands out this season is how pricing strategy and seller decisions—like delisting—are shaping both opportunity and challenge. It’s a unique time for both buyers and sellers to watch not just national headlines, but also how trends play out across our local neighborhoods. As always, I’m focused on helping families navigate these changes and find the home that truly fits.
