Pending Home Sales Held Strong In September. Here Is What It Means For You
If you needed one more sign that the market still has life, here it is. The Wall Street Journal reports that pending home sales in September held steady at their second-strongest pace of the year, even as rates eased and inventory continued to improve. You can read the full article here: Pending-Home Sales Hold at Second-Strongest Pace This Year.
What The Report Says
The National Association of Realtors pending home sales index was unchanged at 74.8 in September. That matches the second-best reading of 2025 after March. Inventory has climbed to a 5-year high, which is giving buyers more choice and a little more room to negotiate. On a yearly basis signings were down slightly by 0.9%, and results varied by region, with gains in the Northeast and South and softer results in the Midwest and West. Mortgage rates have been drifting lower and that could help affordability if the trend continues.
Why This Matters For Buyers
More homes to choose from and a touch more negotiating power can make the search feel calmer. If rates keep easing, your monthly payment could look better than it did a few months ago. The flip side is that well-priced homes still move. Come prepared with a strong pre-approval, clear budget, and a plan for rate scenarios so you can act when the right place appears.
Why This Matters For Sellers
This is a market that rewards preparation and realistic pricing. The days of effortless bidding wars are behind us in many areas, but buyers are out there and are writing contracts. If your home shows well and is priced to the current comps, you can still achieve a solid outcome. Expect more questions, a bit more negotiation, and slightly longer days on market than during the frenzy.
What Could Temporarily Slow Things
The piece notes that a government shutdown could create short delays in parts of the transaction process. That can include verification steps and some loan programs. The best way to navigate that is to build a little wiggle room into contract timelines and keep your lender and title team synced up.
Bottom Line
This is not a market to fear. It is a market to approach with a clear plan. If you want help interpreting what these trends mean in your city, I am happy to connect you with a vetted real estate agent in your area who can guide you through your next purchase or sale.
