Home /
Learn /
What is Existing Home Sales?

Written by Dan Green

Dan Green

Since 2003, Dan Green has been a leading mortgage lender and respected industry authority. His unwavering commitment to first-time home buyers and home buyer education has established him as a trusted voice among his colleagues, his peers, and the media. Dan founded Homebuyer.com to expand the American Dream of Homeownership to all who want it. Read more about Dan Green.

Homebuyer.com may show offers and advertisements from our partners. Read our disclosures.

How We Make Money

Homebuyer.com is your trusted guide to homeownership. Since 2003, our team has offered real-world expertise and advice to tens of millions of U.S. home buyers. Our content stands on its integrity: it's factual, unbiased, and free from outside influences. Read our editorial guidelines.

Homebuyer.com is a mortgage-company-affiliated publisher. We earn compensation when you click specific links on the website, or apply for a mortgage with Homebuyer.com or a partner listed in our comparison tables. Our partners compensate us differently, so we randomize our tables to protect our readers from steering. We may also earn compensation for advertisements on the site, which are indicated clearly. Note that limitations in our software, whether we originate mortgages in your area, and credit factors may affect the offers and comparison tables you see on various parts of this site. We do not include offers for every mortgage product available. Someday, we hope we will.

Trusted Content

This article was checked for accuracy as of January 21, 2024. Homebuyer.com ensures every piece of information we share reflects the latest in mortgage standards. Learn more about our commitments in our editorial guidelines.

Updated: January 21, 2024

What is Existing Home Sales?

Existing Home Sales is a monthly report that counts the number of previously constructed homes, condos, and co-ops sold in the United States.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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: Chart

Homebuyer.com uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Data: National Association of REALTORS®. Do not reprint without permission.

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.

Approve Your Mortgage - Instantly!

Wave goodbye to waiting times and say hello to our Immediate Mortgage Approval. It's more than just a mortgage - it's your ticket to home-buying freedom, available anytime you are. With ultra-low rates at your fingertips, the power to secure your future is just a click away. Why wait for office hours? Your home doesn't.

Start Approval >

Recent Mortgage News