Key Takeaways
- Existing Home Sales shows trends in home resale activity nationwide.
- Higher sales indicate strong demand and potential price increases.
- Sales figures exclude new construction and move-in ready homes.
- Published monthly by National Association of REALTORS for market insights.
Article Summary
Existing Home Sales is an economic indicator that tracks the number of residential home resales across the United States. New construction homes and newly-built, [move-in ready homes](/learn/what-is-a-move-in-ready-home) are excluded from the report.
Existing Home Sales is a monthly report that counts the number of previously constructed homes, condos, and co-ops sold in the United States.
Existing Home Sales: A Detailed Explanation
Existing Home Sales is an economic indicator that tracks the number of residential home resales across the United States. New construction homes and newly-built, move-in ready homes are excluded from the report.
The Existing Home Sales report is published monthly by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). It includes the number of homes sold on an annualized basis, the number of homes for sale currently, and the supply of homes for sale, measured in months.
Supplemental data such as sale price distribution, region-by-region breakdowns, and a press release are included in the Existing Home Sales report, too.
How is Existing Home Sales Calculated?
The National Association of REALTORS calculates Existing Home Sales by counting all completed transactions of single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops in a month and annualizing that figure. The data is collected from Multiple Listing Services (MLS) nationwide. Transactions include mortgage-backed and cash-sale purchases of homes that are previously owned only.
Existing Home Sales
Common Questions About Existing Home Sales
What does a rise in Existing Home Sales indicate?
An increase in Existing Home Sales suggests a strengthening housing market. However, after periods of low home inventory, a rise in home resales may link to increased available supply.
How do Existing Home Sales impact the economy?
These sales affect the economy by influencing consumer spending, homebuilder confidence, and related sectors such as home furnishings and construction. The National Association of REALTORS® estimates that each home sale contributes approximately $22,000 to the local area.
What's the difference between Existing Home Sales and New Home Sales?
Existing Home Sales count previously owned homes, while New Home Sales measure sales of newly constructed homes.
How often is the Existing Home Sales report released?
The Existing Home Sales report is released monthly by the National Association of REALTORS, often during the month's last week. The report includes data from the month prior.
Does the Existing Home Sales report include condominiums and co-ops?
Yes, the Existing Home Sales report includes sales of condos and co-ops. The main report combines condos and co-ops with other residential home types, including detached homes and multi-unit homes. NAR also publishes a subset of the Existing Home Sales report that is only condos and co-ops.
Are the prices of homes sold part of the Existing Home Sales report?
Yes, the Existing Home Sales report includes the median sale price and the average sale price of homes sold. It also includes a supplemental report that shows distribution of home sales by price point.
