Real Estate Statistics 2026: 150+ Facts, Figures & Market Data
Last updated: January 26, 2026
The U.S. real estate market continues to evolve with shifting demographics, changing commission structures, and unprecedented housing dynamics. This comprehensive resource compiles over 150 verified statistics from authoritative sources including the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Reserve, and Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Market Overview
Housing Sales Volume
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Existing homes sold (2023) | 4,090,000 | NAR |
| New home sales (October 2025, annualized) | 619,000 | U.S. Census Bureau |
| New home sales (January 2025, annualized) | 657,000 | HUD/Census |
| New home sales (May 2025, annualized) | 684,000 | HUD/Census |
| Commercial buildings in U.S. (2018) | 5.9 million | EIA |
| Commercial building floor space | 97.0 billion sq ft | EIA |
Home Prices
For historical trends on how rates affect prices, see 55 Years of Mortgage Rate History.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median new home price (October 2025) | $392,300 | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Median new home price (May 2025) | $426,600 | HUD |
| Median existing home price (2024) | $357,300 | NAR |
| FSBO median sale price (2024) | $380,000 | NAR |
| Agent-assisted median sale price (2024) | $435,000 | NAR |
| Price premium for agent-assisted sales | +14.5% | NAR (calculated) |
Housing Inventory
See our complete Homeownership Statistics by State for detailed state-by-state data.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied housing units in U.S. | 125.7 million | American Community Survey 2022 |
| Real estate brokerage firms in U.S. | 360,000+ | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Homeownership rate (2022) | 66.1% | Federal Reserve |
| Months' supply of new homes (October 2025) | 7.9 months | Census Bureau |
REALTOR® Demographics and Statistics
Who Are REALTORS®?
| Demographic | Statistic | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total REALTORS® in U.S. | 1.5+ million | NAR |
| Female REALTORS® | 65% | NAR Member Profile |
| Median age | 56 years | NAR Member Profile |
| Median years of experience | 11 years | NAR |
| White/Caucasian | 82% | NAR Member Profile |
| Hispanic/Latino | 9% | NAR Member Profile |
| Black/African American | 5% | NAR Member Profile |
| Asian | 4% | NAR Member Profile |
Agent Income & Production
For a detailed breakdown by location, see our Real Estate Agent Salary by State guide.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median gross income (all REALTORS®) | $55,800 | NAR |
| Median gross income (2+ years experience) | $81,000 | NAR |
| Median transactions per year | 10 | NAR Member Profile |
| Agents doing 0 transactions/year | ~25% | Industry estimates |
| Agents with 10+ years experience earning $100k+ | 35% | NAR |
Real Estate Commission Statistics
National Commission Rates
| Metric | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average total commission (2024) | 5.32% | RealTrends/NAR |
| Average listing agent commission | 2.74% | Industry surveys |
| Average buyer's agent commission | 2.58% | Industry surveys |
| Commission on $400,000 home (5%) | $20,000 | Calculated |
| Agent split (typical) | 50-70% | Industry standard |
Home Buyer Statistics
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who used an agent | 86% | NAR Buyer Profile |
| First-time buyers | 32% | NAR |
| Median buyer age | 36 years | NAR Buyer Profile |
| Buyers who found home online | 51% | NAR |
| Average homes viewed before purchase | 10 | NAR |
| Median down payment (first-time buyers) | 8% | NAR |
| Median down payment (repeat buyers) | 19% | NAR |
Home Seller Statistics
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sellers who used an agent | 89% | NAR Seller Profile |
| Median time on market (2024) | 22 days | NAR |
| Sellers who sold for asking price or more | 69% | NAR |
| Median tenure in home before selling | 10 years | NAR |
| Sellers who would use same agent again | 73% | NAR |
For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Statistics
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FSBO market share (2024) | 7% | NAR |
| FSBO sales to someone seller knew | 57% | NAR |
| FSBO median sale price | $380,000 | NAR |
| Agent-assisted median sale price | $435,000 | NAR |
| Price difference | $55,000 (14.5%) | NAR (calculated) |
| FSBOs that eventually list with agent | 36% | NAR |
Technology Adoption Statistics
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who used internet in home search | 97% | NAR |
| Agents using social media for business | 72% | NAR Tech Survey |
| Agents with their own website | 69% | NAR |
| Buyers who found agent through website | 38% | NAR |
| Virtual tours increasing buyer interest | 67% | NAR |
State-by-State Commission Rates
Commission rates vary by state and local market. Here are average rates by region:
| Region | Average Rate |
|---|---|
| Northeast | 5.0-5.5% |
| Southeast | 5.5-6.0% |
| Midwest | 5.5-6.0% |
| Southwest | 5.0-5.5% |
| West Coast | 4.5-5.5% |
Sources
- National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Federal Reserve
- American Community Survey
- Energy Information Administration (EIA)
- RealTrends
- NAR Member Profile
- NAR Buyer/Seller Profiles
- NAR Technology Survey
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average home price in the US in 2026?
The median existing home price in the U.S. is approximately $410,000 as of early 2026, according to NAR data. Prices vary significantly by region, from around $280,000 in parts of the Midwest to over $800,000 in coastal California markets. Year-over-year appreciation has moderated to 3-4% nationally compared to the double-digit gains seen in 2021-2022.
How many real estate agents are there in the US in 2026?
There are approximately 1.5 million active real estate agents in the United States as of 2026. The total NAR membership has declined from its 2022 peak of over 1.6 million as market adjustments and commission structure changes have led some agents to leave the industry. The average agent completes 8-12 transactions per year.
What is the average real estate commission in 2026?
The average total real estate commission in 2026 is approximately 5.0-5.5%, down from the traditional 6%. Following the NAR settlement agreement, commission structures have become more transparent and negotiable. Buyer agent commissions now average 2.5-3%, while listing agent commissions average 2.5-3%. Rates vary by state and market.
Is 2026 a buyer's or seller's market?
The 2026 housing market varies by location. Nationally, inventory has improved but remains below historical norms, creating balanced to slightly seller-favorable conditions. Some markets with rapid new construction (parts of Texas, Florida, Arizona) have shifted toward buyers. High-demand metro areas with limited supply remain seller's markets. Check local months of supply—under 4 months favors sellers, over 6 months favors buyers.
What percentage of home buyers use a real estate agent?
Approximately 87-89% of home buyers work with a real estate agent, according to NAR survey data. This percentage has remained relatively stable despite the growth of online listing platforms. First-time buyers are slightly more likely to use an agent (91%) compared to repeat buyers (85%). The most valued agent services are help finding the right home and negotiating terms.
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