NAR: U.S. Pending Home Sales Declined 0.4% in July
Even with modest improvements in mortgage rates, housing affordability, and inventory, buyers still remain hesitant.

WASHINGTON—Pending home sales decreased by 0.4% in July from the prior month and rose 0.7% year-over-year, according to the National Association of Realtors Pending Home Sales Report released today (Aug. 28).
Pending sales declined month-over-month in the Northeast and Midwest, held essentially flat in the South, and rose in the West. Year-over-year, sales decreased in the Northeast and West but increased in the Midwest and South. July’s Realtors Confidence Index survey showed that 16% of NAR members expect an increase in buyer traffic over the next three months, unchanged from one year ago. Meanwhile, 21% expect an increase in seller traffic, up from 17% in July 2024.
“Even with modest improvements in mortgage rates, housing affordability, and inventory, buyers still remain hesitant,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Buying a home is often the most expensive purchase people will make in their lives. This means that going under contract is not a decision homebuyers make quickly. Instead, people take their time to ensure the timing and home are right for them.”
Yun added: “Rising mortgage applications for home purchase are an early indicator of more serious buyers in the marketplace, though many have not yet committed to a pending contract. The Federal Reserve signaling that they may enact a lower interest rate policy should steadily enlarge the pool of eligible homebuyers in the upcoming months.”
July 2025 National Pending Home Sales
- 0.4% decrease month-over-month
- 0.7% increase year-over-year
July 2025 Regional Pending Home Sales
Northeast
- 0.6% decrease month-over-month
- 0.6% decrease year-over-year
Midwest
- 4.0% decrease month-over-month
- 1.3% increase year-over-year
South
- 0.1% decrease month-over-month
- 1.8% increase year-over-year
West
- 3.7% increase month-over-month
- 1.9% decrease year-over-year