Thinking about selling this fall? The September 2026 market is a different animal than the red-hot years, and that's actually good news if you come in prepared.
More homes are for sale, prices are rising at a steadier pace, and serious buyers are out there. The sellers who understand what the data shows are the ones who close before year-end.
The National Picture
The latest Homes.com housing market report shows a market that's firmer than many expected: about 1.42 million homes were for sale nationwide in July, up 4.4% from a year earlier.
The national median sale price held at $400,000, up 2.6% year over year, and roughly 347,000 homes sold during the month, a 2.9% increase over July 2025.
What that adds up to: more inventory and more negotiating power for buyers than we've seen in years.
Overpriced or underprepared listings are the ones that sit. The homes that sell well in September are the ones where the seller did the work before the sign went in the yard.
Why Local Matters
Local conditions vary sharply, though. Of the more than 900 markets Homes.com tracks, 66% posted year-over-year price gains in July, while about a third saw prices retreat.
That means the first job for any seller is figuring out which version of the market your home sits in, and that's exactly what a local agent who knows your neighborhood can help you do.
What Smart Sellers Are Doing
The bottom line: buyers are more discerning, but they're out there.
Serious sellers who price to the market and present a clean, well-maintained home are in the best position to close before year-end.
Let's Talk
Curious what this means for your specific home? We'd love to talk it through.
Reach out to us for a free, no-pressure conversation about what is happening in your neighborhood.
Article adapted from a Homes.com article written by Katherine Lutge.