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Existing home sales rose 4.2% in February according to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). For both monthly and year-over-year (YoY) sales, two major U.S. regions experienced growth, one region remained stable and two others noted a decline.
Total existing-home sales—completed transactions of single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops—rose 4.2% from January.
“Home buyers are slowly entering the market,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “Mortgage rates have not changed much, but more inventory and choices are releasing pent-up housing demand.”
Total housing inventory registered at the end of February was 1.24 million units, up 5.1% from January and 17% YoY.
“Raw sales in February were down 5.2% from last year, which was a leap year with one extra day of business,” Yun says. “However, after adjusting for this effect, combined with the winter seasonal factors, the momentum for home sales is flashing encouraging signs.”
According to the monthly Realtors Confidence Index, properties typically remained on the market for 42 days in February, up from 41 days in January and 38 days in February 2024.
First-time buyers made up 31% of those sales in February, up from 28% in January 2025.
Regional Sales
Northeast
Down 2% from January, but up 4.2% YoY.
Midwest
Unchanged from January, but up 1% YoY.
South
Up 4.4% from January, but down 4% YoY.
West
Up 13.3% from January, up 3.6% YoY.
