Home Sales and Real Estate Transfer Statistics (2026)
Every home sale, gift or inheritance ends with a transfer of title, usually by deed. These statistics show how many Americans own their homes, how many homes change hands, what they sell for, and who is buying.
All figures come from the Census Bureau, the Federal Reserve, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors, with the year each figure refers to and a link to the original source.
39 statistics, each linked to its source. Updated .
Key statistics
- In the second quarter of 2026, the US homeownership rate was 65.0%, according to the Census Bureau's Housing Vacancy Survey.
- 65.0%
- U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership - Press Release
- In September 2026, existing-home sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million, according to the National Association of Realtors.
- 3.99 million
- National Association of REALTORS®, Existing-Home Sales Increased 1.5% in September, According to NAR Report
- In September 2026, the median existing-home price for all housing types was $417,500, according to the National Association of Realtors.
- $417,500
- National Association of REALTORS®, Existing-Home Sales Increased 1.5% in September, According to NAR Report
- In NAR's 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, first-time buyers made up a record low 21% of buyers.
- 21%
- National Association of REALTORS®, First-Time Home Buyer Share Falls to Historic Low of 21%, Median Age Rises to 40
- In September 2026, cash sales accounted for 27% of existing-home transactions, according to the National Association of Realtors.
- 27%
- National Association of REALTORS®, Existing-Home Sales Increased 1.5% in September, According to NAR Report
What is the homeownership rate in the US?
In the second quarter of 2026, the US homeownership rate was 65.0%, according to the Census Bureau's Housing Vacancy Survey.
U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership - Press Release
In the second quarter of 2026, the homeownership rate for householders under 35 was 35.2%, according to the Census Bureau.
In the second quarter of 2026, the homeownership rate for householders aged 65 and over was 78.6%, the highest of any age group, according to the Census Bureau.
In the second quarter of 2026, the Midwest had the highest regional homeownership rate at 69.0%, according to the Census Bureau.
In the second quarter of 2026, the West had the lowest regional homeownership rate at 60.5%, according to the Census Bureau.
In the second quarter of 2026, the homeownership rate for Black householders was 45.4%, according to the Census Bureau.
In the second quarter of 2026, the homeownership rate for non-Hispanic White householders was 74.5%, according to the Census Bureau.
In the second quarter of 2026, the US homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2%, according to the Census Bureau.
U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership - Press Release
In 2022, 66.1% of US families owned their primary residence, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances.
In 2022, 12.9% of US families owned other residential property such as second homes or time shares, according to the Federal Reserve.
How many existing homes are sold each year?
In September 2026, existing-home sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In September 2026, total US housing inventory of existing homes reached 1.60 million units, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In September 2026, unsold existing-home inventory equaled a 4.8-month supply, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In September 2026, the median existing home was on the market for 33 days, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In August 2026, sales of new single-family houses ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 684,000, according to the Census Bureau and HUD.
U.S. Census Bureau and HUD, Monthly New Residential Sales, August 2026 (CB26-155)
In September 2026, distressed sales made up 2% of existing-home transactions, according to the National Association of Realtors.
What is the median home price in the US?
In September 2026, the median existing-home price for all housing types was $417,500, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In September 2026, the median existing single-family home price was $422,700, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In August 2026, the median sales price of new houses sold was $393,700, according to the Census Bureau and HUD.
U.S. Census Bureau and HUD, Monthly New Residential Sales, August 2026 (CB26-155)
In 2023, the median value of owner-occupied homes was $350,000, according to the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey.
In 2022, the median value of a primary residence among US families that owned one was $323,200, according to the Federal Reserve.
As of October 15, 2026, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.40%, according to Freddie Mac.
What share of home buyers are first-time buyers?
In September 2026, first-time buyers made up 31% of existing-home sales, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In NAR's 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, first-time buyers made up a record low 21% of buyers.
In 2025, the median age of first-time home buyers reached an all-time high of 40, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In 2025, the median age of all US home buyers was 59, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In 2025, the median down payment for first-time buyers was 10%, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In 2025, sellers had lived in their home for a median of 11 years before selling, an all-time high, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In 2025, 91% of home sellers used a real estate agent, according to the National Association of Realtors.
How many homes are bought with cash?
In September 2026, cash sales accounted for 27% of existing-home transactions, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In 2025, 30% of repeat home buyers paid all cash, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In September 2026, individual investors and second-home buyers accounted for 20% of existing-home transactions, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In 2023, about 11,029,000 owner-occupied homes had been bought outright without a mortgage, according to the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey.
In 2023, about 36,507,000 owner-occupied homes were owned free and clear with no mortgage, according to the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey.
In 2022, about 42% of US families held debt secured by their primary residence, according to the Federal Reserve.
How many homes are inherited?
In 2023, about 3,468,000 owner-occupied homes had been received as an inheritance or gift, according to the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey.
In 2023, about 369,000 vacant homes were held as extra units because they were inherited property, according to the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey.
In 2023, about 38,661,000 owner-occupied homes were the first home their owners had ever owned, according to the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey.
Frequently asked questions
What is the homeownership rate in the US?
The US homeownership rate was 65.0% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Census Bureau. It was 35.2% for householders under 35 and 78.6% for those 65 and over.
What is the median home price in the US?
The median existing-home price was $417,500 in September 2026, according to the National Association of Realtors. The median price of a new house sold in August 2026 was $393,700, according to the Census Bureau and HUD.
What share of homes are bought with cash?
Cash sales accounted for 27% of existing-home transactions in September 2026, according to the National Association of Realtors. Among repeat buyers in NAR's 2025 profile, 30% paid all cash.
How many first-time home buyers are there?
First-time buyers made up a record low 21% of buyers in NAR's 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, and their median age reached 40. In NAR's September 2026 monthly survey, first-time buyers made up 31% of sales.
How many homes are inherited?
About 3,468,000 owner-occupied homes in 2023 had been received as an inheritance or gift, according to the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey. Another 369,000 vacant homes were held because they were inherited property.
Cite this page
You are welcome to use these statistics. Please cite the original source of each number and link to this page:
Oakclause. "Home Sales and Real Estate Transfer Statistics (2026)." Updated October 2026. https://www.oakclause.com/statistics/real-estate-transfer-statistics
How we compiled these statistics
Every number comes from a published source that we opened and checked, mostly government agencies, academic research and established surveys. Each statement names the year the data refers to, and we keep the newest edition we could find. We do not combine numbers from different sources into new figures. Read our editorial policy.
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