09/17/2026
Buyers steadily entered into contracts in August even though mortgage rates increased,” said NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun. “However, the housing market is still sluggish, with contract signings below last year. This is due to higher mortgage rates offsetting the increased buying power created by job gains and income growth outpacing home price growth"
NAR's Pending Home Sales Report shows contract signings increased 0.3% in August 2026, with gains in the South and West offset by declines in the Northeast and Midwest. Compared to a year ago, pending sales were down 4.7% across all regions. Higher mortgage rates continued to weigh on buyer activity...
