Briefing.com: New Home Sales

Updated: 13-Jan-26 10:27 ET

October New Home Sales

Updated: 13-Jan-26 10:27 ET

Highlights

The Department of Commerce released September and October new home sales data as it bids to catch up to release data following the government shutdown.
September new home sales increased 3.8% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 738,000 units versus a downwardly revised 711,000 units (from 800,000) in August.
October new home sales dipped 0.1% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 737,000 units.

Key Factors

The median sales price decreased 3.3% yr/yr in October to $392,300, while the average sales price increased 3.0% yr/yr to $498,000.
New home sales month-over-month/year-over-year by region in October: Northeast (-14.3%/-40.0%); Midwest (-9.0%/+21.3%); South (+16.9%/+42.1%); and West (-36.3%; -24.8%).
At the current sales pace, the supply of new homes for sale stood at 7.9 months, unchanged from September and versus 9.3 months in the year-ago period.
The percentage of new homes sold for $399,000 or less accounted for 54% of new homes sold versus 48% in September. Homes priced between $400,000 and $799,000 accounted for 38% of new homes sold versus 44% in September. New homes priced at $800,000 or over accounted for 8% of sales in October versus 9% in September.

Big Picture

The key takeaway from the report is that the South region-the nation's largest housing sector-was the sole source of strength in October. Home sales declined in all other regions, with higher home prices, on average, acting as a headwind.