The National Association of Realtors released its September 2026 existing-home sales report on October 13, and the headline is a familiar one: the market is moving, but slowly. Sales rose 1.5% from August to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 3.99 million, yet that is still about 2.2% below a year ago and just shy of the 4 million mark.
Prices are holding steady rather than surging. NAR reports a national median existing-home price of $417,500, up 1.3% from a year earlier. Inventory reached 1.60 million homes, which is 4.6% higher than September 2025, and that equals 4.8 months of supply, compared with 4.5 months a year ago. Homes spent a median of 33 days on the market, up from 31 days in August. First-time buyers made up 31% of sales, and cash buyers accounted for 27%.
The backdrop is mortgage rates. Freddie Mac’s survey for the week of October 8 put the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.40%, its seventh straight weekly increase and the highest level since November 2023. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun noted that higher rates mean fewer buyers can qualify, while higher inventory and longer days on market give buyers improved negotiating power.
What this means for Houston-area buyers. A national report is not a neighborhood forecast, and Memorial, The Heights, Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land and our other communities each move differently. Still, the national pattern of more choices and a little more time is worth using. Get a fresh pre-approval at today’s rates, compare more than one lender, and ask your agent which homes in your target area have been sitting. Reasonable requests, like repair credits or help with closing costs, are more realistic when listings are not drawing instant multiple offers.
What this means for Houston-area sellers. Buyers are careful and payment-sensitive right now. Homes that are priced to the current market, professionally presented, and easy to show tend to stand out. Pricing based on last year’s peak or on a neighbor’s wish-list number can add weeks to your timeline. A strategy built on recent, nearby sales is the best protection.
Think about timing. Rates change week to week, and nobody can predict where they go next. If you are buying, a rate lock or a buydown option may be worth discussing with your lender. If you are selling, remember that a buyer’s financing costs affect what they can offer. We are glad to walk through your numbers either way.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Please consult a qualified lender or financial professional about your situation. Source figures: NAR Existing-Home Sales report (October 13, 2026) and Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (October 8, 2026).
If you would like current, neighborhood-level data for your part of the Houston area, or a clear plan for buying or selling in this market, The Audra O’Neal Team is here to help.
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The Audra O’Neal Team | ONTX Realty Partners
Call or Text: 281-972-8200
Web: http://www.ONealTeamRocks.com
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