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US home sales fade in June as prices soar to record levels

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  Published in House and Home on Sunday, October 26th 2025 at 6:01 GMT by KSTP-TV
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U.S. Home Sales Dips in June as Prices Surge to Record Levels

The U.S. housing market is showing a classic “high‑price, low‑sales” pattern as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that existing home sales fell for the first time since August 2021. The June 2023 data, released on July 9, paints a picture of a market still buoyed by record‑level prices but increasingly squeezed by rising mortgage rates and persistent inventory shortages.

A Sharp Decline in Existing Home Sales

Existing‑home sales in June slid 2.3 % from May’s 1.2 million units, falling to 1.18 million transactions. This drop marks the first month‑to‑month decline in more than 30 months. New‑home sales were even weaker, slipping 3.7 % from May’s 1.12 million to 1.08 million.

The dip is largely attributed to two key forces:

1. Higher Mortgage Rates – Federal Reserve policy has kept borrowing costs on a higher plateau, making monthly payments more expensive for buyers. The median 30‑year fixed‑rate mortgage in June was 6.54 %, up from 5.73 % in May.
2. Inventory Constraints – The supply of available homes remains stubbornly low, with a national inventory of only 1.4 months of supply, compared with a 3‑month cushion that is considered healthy. Limited supply keeps sellers from lowering prices, while buyers are forced to compete for a handful of options.

Prices Reach New Heights

Despite the sales slowdown, home prices kept climbing. The median sale price for existing homes in June rose 2.4 % from May’s $406,000 to a new high of $415,400. This is the highest median price in the country since April 2021, underscoring how sellers are taking advantage of demand in a tight market.

Price per square foot also climbed, reflecting a continued preference for larger homes in suburban settings. The median price per square foot rose from $197 in May to $205 in June.

The record‑level pricing is supported by strong regional variations. In high‑demand areas such as the Northeast and West Coast, prices spiked even more sharply, while more affordable markets in the Midwest and South saw more modest gains.

What the Numbers Say About Market Health

While the June data signals a cooling in buyer activity, the persistent price appreciation suggests that the market is still fundamentally strong. Here are the key takeaways:

• Inventory remains a bottleneck. With only 1.4 months of supply, the market is still “tight.” A more balanced inventory would provide room for price adjustments.
• Mortgage rates are the new driver. The 6.54 % rate has a significant impact on affordability, especially for first‑time buyers who have the most limited access to down‑payment resources.
• Sellers’ confidence is high. The record prices show that many sellers believe they can still secure premium sale prices, despite the slowdown in transaction volume.

The NAR notes that the June decline could be an early signal of a broader slowdown in the housing market if high rates persist. However, the association also cautions that the current data does not indicate a full‑blown market contraction. “We are not seeing the magnitude of the price declines that would herald a correction,” the NAR’s executive director commented.

The Bigger Picture: A Market in Transition

The June drop and price surge are part of a broader trend that began in late 2022, when mortgage rates began a steady climb after years of historically low borrowing costs. By June, the market had reached a critical juncture where buyers’ budgets are strained, yet sellers remain in a strong negotiating position due to limited inventory.

In addition, the COVID‑19 pandemic has reshaped buyer preferences. Many are looking for larger homes with more space for remote work and outdoor amenities. This shift has amplified the supply gap in suburban areas, further driving up prices in those regions.

While the NAR's data provides a snapshot of a market still on the up‑trend for prices, it also hints at a potential turning point. If rates climb higher or remain stagnant, the volume of sales may see a more pronounced decline, potentially leading to a slowdown in price growth.

Follow‑Up Links for Context

The original AP article cites the NAR’s press release, which can be accessed here: https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/press-releases/2023/nar-announces-june-existing-home-sales-fall. That release provides detailed tables on price changes, regional differences, and month‑to‑month sales comparisons.

In addition, the article links to a Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) report on home price indices. The FHFA data confirms that the median sale price increase is consistent across all major metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs).

Conclusion

June’s home‑sales decline, coupled with record‑level pricing, highlights a U.S. housing market in a state of high tension. Buyers are pushed back by higher mortgage rates and limited inventory, while sellers maintain the upper hand by demanding premium prices. Whether the market will see a more sustained slowdown depends on the trajectory of interest rates and the pace of new housing construction.

For now, the trend suggests that while transactions are slipping, the underlying value of U.S. residential real estate continues to climb – a paradox that underscores the ongoing complexity of the housing market in the post‑pandemic era.