Overview
- The National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index rose to 79.2 in November, up 2.6% from a year earlier but still below the 100 baseline tied to 2001 activity.
- All four regions posted monthly increases, led by a 9.2% surge in the West, with the South up 2.4%, the Northeast up 1.8%, and the Midwest up 1.3%.
- November’s 3.3% gain topped expectations for roughly a 1% rise and followed an upwardly revised 2.4% increase in October.
- Mortgage rates near 6.2% and wage growth outpacing home prices have improved affordability, drawing more buyers back, according to NAR’s Lawrence Yun.
- Realtor confidence ticked higher with more members expecting increased buyer and seller traffic, and analysts characterize 2026 as a transitioning market rather than a full turnaround.