In Early-Q3, US existing-home sales slipped ↓1.7% MoM but still finished ↑0.7% yearly, showing completed transactions held slightly above prior summer's pace.
Median existing-home prices reached $434.1K in Early-Q3, extending a 37-mo streak of yearly gains and giving many homeowners additional equity to monitor.
Inventory ended Early-Q3 at 1.54M homes, ↓1.9% MoM and ↓0.6% yearly, a reminder for buyers to track listings closely in a still-tight market.
Housing affordability improved nationally even as prices rose, suggesting buyers who stay prepared can benefit when value, timing, and available choices start aligning.
Mortgage costs averaged high-6% recently on a 30-yr fixed loan; any rate easing could further support buyers as the summer market continues.
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US Existing Home Sales Edge Up
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AI Housing Predictions: Help or Hidden Influence?
AI models analyze vast datasets, from rates to neighborhood signals and online sentiment, uncovering patterns humans miss and sharpening housing and mortgage decisions.
For buyers and sellers, AI tools can flag future hot spots, suggest pricing, timing, and renovations, and add data-driven confidence to major decisions.
Trust remains central because many models work like black boxes, making strong predictions without clear explanations and raising questions about hidden bias in training data.
Widespread adoption could blur prediction and influence, as shared signals steer investor, lender, and buyer behavior, potentially reinforcing trends and amplifying market swings.
Across developed and emerging markets, adoption differs with data quality and oversight, making collaboration, education, and human oversight central to next steps. -
Home Sales on the Rise, but Momentum May Be Fading
Home sales rose 7% in July, driven by earlier pent-up demand and improving rates, but new pending listings grew only 0.3% year over year, suggesting a peak. U.S. home values increased 1.1% annually, with a typical home value at $371,757. Mortgage payments were 0.9% lower than last year but may rise due to higher rates. Inventory rose slightly, with 1.41 million homes for sale. Median days to pending increased to 25, and 27.1% of listings had price cuts. Typical rent rose 2.3% annually.
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Realtor.com Projects Continued Home Price Growth for 2026
A recent update from Realtor.com projects that existing-home price growth in 2026 will slow to just 1.2%, with mortgage rates expected to remain steady at 6.3%. For those considering a move or an investment here in the Outer Banks, this shift could mean more favorable conditions: a slight dip in home sales, growing inventory by 3.6%, and improved affordability. Rents are also anticipated to decline by 1.2%, which may ease the pressure many renters have been feeling. As someone who’s spent nearly two decades guiding clients through the unique market dynamics of Carova’s 4×4 beaches, I’m always tracking these trends to help you make informed decisions—whether you’re buying, selling, or simply planning your next steps along our coast.
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States ranked highest for homebuilding and affordability in 2026
As someone who’s spent nearly two decades guiding clients through the unique real estate landscape of Carova and the Outer Banks, I see firsthand how national housing trends impact our coastal market. With high mortgage rates, rising construction costs, labor shortages, and zoning restrictions continuing to widen the affordable housing gap across the U.S., it’s no surprise that many coastal states—our own included—face especially tough challenges with inventory and affordability. Meanwhile, the Midwest and Southern states are seeing greater homebuilding activity and more accessible price points. For those considering a move or investment in a coastal community as special as ours, understanding these trends is key. Every market faces its own set of challenges and opportunities, but with the right local expertise, you can navigate them confidently and make informed decisions about your property journey.
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