Real Estate Transaction Statistics 2026: 90+ Facts on Home Sales, Closings & Market Trends

Last updated: February 10, 2026

Real estate transactions are the backbone of the housing market. Every completed sale represents a complex chain of events, from listing to closing, involving buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, and attorneys. Understanding real estate data reveals how the market truly functions, far beyond headline price numbers. The median sales price, existing-home sales volume, and average sales price of homes all tell different parts of the story. This resource compiles over 90 verified statistics from authoritative sources including the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), Redfin, Freddie Mac, ICE Mortgage Technology, and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Key Transaction Statistics at a Glance

Home Sales Volume: A Market in Recovery

The U.S. real estate market experienced historically low transaction volume in 2025, continuing a trend that began in late 2022. However, the fourth quarter brought signs of improvement as mortgage rates declined and every homebuyer grew more confident. Both the median home sales price and the number of houses sold showed encouraging signs late in the year.

Annual Transaction Data

Existing-home sales account for more than 90% of all residential real estate transactions in the United States. These sales are tracked through closings reported by Multiple Listing Services (MLS). The pending home sales index, which measures signed contracts, serves as a leading indicator for future closings.

Single-Family vs. Condo Transactions

Single-family homes dominate the transaction landscape, but condominiums and co-ops serve as critical entry points for many buyers. The performance gap between these segments widened in 2025.

Regional Transaction Breakdown

Transaction activity varies significantly across the four major U.S. regions. The South consistently leads in total volume, while the Northeast and West show distinct patterns driven by affordability and inventory constraints. New residential sales (new construction homes) add additional volume beyond existing-home sales, though they represent a smaller share of the total market.

December 2025 Regional Sales Data

Metro-Level Transaction Trends

At the metro level, transaction trends reveal sharp contrasts between regions. Florida markets experienced the steepest sales declines, while Rust Belt cities saw steady activity driven by relative affordability.

Most Expensive and Most Affordable Markets

The gap between the most expensive and most affordable metro areas is staggering. San Jose's median sale price of $1,617,658 is nearly eight times Detroit's $202,739.

Days on Market Statistics

Days on market (DOM) measures the time between when a property is listed and when it goes under contract. This housing market overview metric is one of the most important indicators for residential properties in any area. A lower DOM signals a competitive seller's market, while higher DOM suggests buyers have more leverage. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun has noted that homes that sold quickly in late 2025 benefited from better pricing and increased buyer activity across metropolitan areas nationwide.

Closing Timeline Statistics

Once a buyer's offer is accepted, the clock starts on the closing process. This phase involves appraisals, inspections, title searches, mortgage underwriting, and final document preparation. Timelines vary by loan type and market conditions.

Common Closing Delays

Understanding what causes closing delays helps both buyers and sellers prepare for a smooth transaction. The most common issues that extend closing timelines include the following.

Cash vs. Financed Transactions

The share of all-cash home purchases has reached record levels, driven by repeat buyers with built-up home equity, investors, and an affordability environment that favors those who can bypass mortgage financing entirely.

Down Payment Trends

Down payment sizes have increased significantly, reflecting both tighter lending standards and the growing dominance of equity-rich repeat buyers in the market.

Sale-to-List Price Ratios

The sale-to-list price ratio compares the actual sales price of a home versus its asking price. A ratio above 100% means homes are selling above asking price, indicating strong buyer competition. A ratio below 100% means sellers are accepting less than their listed price. This metric helps agents set realistic expectations around median home value and the average sales price of new houses sold in their area.

Buyer Competition Metrics

Buyer competition has cooled significantly from the frenzy of 2021 and 2022, but it remains highly localized. Markets in the Northeast and parts of the West Coast still see multiple offers on well-priced homes, while many Sun Belt and Southeast markets have shifted to favor buyers. The housing sales index and transaction data from NAR's monthly reports reveal the depth of these regional differences.

The Role of Real Estate Agents in Transactions

Real estate agents remain central to the vast majority of home sales. Despite the growth of online listing platforms, real estate brokerage technology tools, and all things real estate related online, agent usage rates have remained remarkably stable. In fact, usage recently reached historic highs for sellers buying and selling in today's market.

Investor Transaction Activity

Real estate investors play a significant role in the transaction landscape, particularly in markets where rising rents and affordability challenges create strong rental demand. Investor behavior differs from owner-occupant buyers in key ways that affect market dynamics.

Inventory and Housing Supply

Housing inventory directly impacts transaction volume and competition. Low inventory constrains sales, drives up prices, and reduces options for buyers. The supply situation improved modestly in 2025 but remains well below levels considered balanced.

Buyer Demographics in Transactions

Who is buying homes has shifted dramatically. The typical home buyer is older and wealthier than at any point in recorded history, while first-time buyers have been pushed to the margins of the market.

Mortgage Rates and Their Impact on Transactions

Mortgage rates, particularly the 30-year fixed rate mortgage, are one of the single most powerful forces affecting real estate transaction volume. Rate changes directly influence affordability, buyer demand, and seller willingness to list their homes. The national average rate has been above 6% since 2022, constraining new single-family home sales and resales alike.

2026 Transaction Forecast

Looking ahead, NAR's chief economist Lawrence Yun projects a significant rebound in transaction activity for 2026. Based on the current sales rate, new home sales trends, and broader economic indicators, the forecast is driven by several converging factors that should improve market conditions for both buyers and sellers.

Methodology and Data Sources

All statistics in this resource come from verified, authoritative sources. We prioritize primary data from the following organizations.

NAR's existing home sales data is based on transaction closings from Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) and is reported as a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR). This data covers single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops. The 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reflects survey data from transactions completed between July 2024 and June 2025. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Census Bureau also track new home sales separately, providing the median sales price of new houses sold through their joint monthly release.

Cite This Research

All data points are sourced from publicly available government and industry reports. We update this page regularly as new data becomes available. If you use these statistics in your own research, please link back to this page as a courtesy.