September US Pending Home Sales Index Posts Much More Than Expected Decrease

10:00 AM EDT, 10/20/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Pending home sales fell by 7.3% in September, well below the 0.5% decrease expected in survey compiled by Bloomberg and following a 0.3% increase in August, according to the National Association of Realtors. The monthly sales index was down 11.3% from September 2025. Pending home sales decreased in all four regions of the country from August and compared with a year earlier. "Market conditions weakened in September due to fast-rising mortgage rates," NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said. "Although job growth and income gains can support home purchases, housing affordability is more affected by changes in mortgage rates." Yun suggested that mortgage rates could be peaking but said that rising energy prices and inflationary pressures add uncertainty. October existing-home sales data are scheduled for release on Nov. 12.