09/25/2026
5 Practical Takeaways
1. Mortgage rates crossed 7%
Freddie Mac’s 30-year fixed average reached 7.03%, up from 6.95% last week.
2. Maryland sales are slowing
August closed sales declined 8.5% year over year, while pending contracts declined 1.0%.
3. Maryland sellers aren’t listing
New listings plunged 23.6% year over year, helping keep statewide inventory 13.7% below last year.
4. National inventory continues rebuilding
Realtor.com reports active inventory 5.8% higher than last year, with more than 1.17 million homes available.
5. Prices remain surprisingly resilient
Despite weaker sales and higher inventory nationally, the median existing-home price increased 1.6% year over year in August.
September 2026 MD & DC housing market update: mortgage rates hit 7.03%, local sales slow, inventory shifts and buyers gain negotiating opportunities.
