June’s housing numbers are in, and sales picked up more than the spring pace suggested. The market isn’t overheating, but the seasonal bounce is giving inspectors more to work with.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales totaled 422,000 in June, up +7.9% year over year and up +7.9% from May. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) came in at 4.09 million, down -2.4% from a revised May figure of 4.19 million but still up +2.8% compared to June 2025.
Inventory growth is cooling even as it keeps moving in the right direction. Zillow counted 1.39 million homes for sale nationwide in June, up +0.9% year over year, the smallest annual gain since December 2023, and up +2% from May. NAR reported 1.56 million units on the market, or 4.6 months of supply, down -0.6% from May but still up +1.3% year over year. Homes took a median of 20 days to go pending in June, per Zillow, unchanged from a year earlier but two days slower than May.
Prices continue to climb. NAR put the national median existing home price at $440,600, up +1.8% year over year and marking the 36th straight month of annual gains. On the financing side, Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) continue to project 30-year mortgage rates in the mid 6% range through 2026 and 2027, with Fannie Mae expecting a 6.3% average both years.
Current Forecasts
Forecasts for 2026 Home Sales (July ’26 forecast)
- NAR: +4.0% (4.22 million existing home sales vs. 4.06 million), revised April 2026
- MBA: +2.3% (4.87 million total home sales vs. 4.76 million)
- Fannie Mae: +0.2% (4.76 million total home sales vs. 4.75 million)
- Zillow: +1.9% (4.14 million existing home sales vs. 4.06 million)
Forecasts for 2027 Home Sales (July ’26 forecast)
- MBA: +6.6% (5.19 million total home sales vs. 4.87 million)
- Fannie Mae: +6.8% (5.09 million total home sales vs. 4.76 million)
MBA Forecast for Mortgage Originations (July ’26 forecast)
- 2026 Total Mortgage Originations: +3.8% (5.67 million loans vs. 5.46 million)
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- Purchase: +2.6% (3.54 million loans vs. 3.45 million)
- Refi: +6.0% (2.13 million vs. 2.01 million)
- 2027 Total Mortgage Originations: +0.2% (5.68 million loans vs. 5.67 million)
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- Purchase: +5.8% (3.74 million loans vs. 3.54 million)
- Refi: -9.0% (1.94 million vs. 2.13 million)
Bottom line for inspectors
Sales momentum is back, and that is the number worth watching. Inventory is still growing, just at a slower clip, so buyers have a bit less room to shop around than they did a few months ago. That means offers are likely to move faster, and your booking window may shrink along with it.
With mortgage rates expected to hold in the mid-6% range through next year, buyers should keep showing up steadily. Keep your calendar flexible and your turnaround times tight so you can capture jobs as they come in.