U.S. home prices were still rising in the latest available national data, even as existing-home sales fell and mortgage rates climbed. The most plausible explanation is a squeeze between rate-sensitive demand and limited supply: high borrowing costs can keep buyers from closing, while too few available homes can prevent broad price declines. The figures show that these trends coincide; they do not prove how much either factor caused the price movement.
As of October 9, 2026, the latest Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) monthly price data covered July, while the latest National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) existing-home sales report covered August. Those measures describe different parts of the market, so they should not be read as contradictory.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What the latest figures show
| Measure | Latest reported result | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| FHFA U.S. house-price index, July 2026 | Up 0.3% from June and 2.6% from July 2025 | Changes in home prices using a seasonally adjusted, purchase-only repeat-sales index based on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac data. FHFA, September 29, 2026 |
| NAR existing-home sales, August 2026 | Down 2.0% from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million; down 1.2% from August 2025 | An annualized pace based on completed sales, not a measure of home prices. NAR, September 10, 2026 |
| NAR median existing-home price, August 2026 | $429,100, up 1.6% from August 2025 | The midpoint price of homes sold that month; it can shift with the mix of homes sold. NAR reported 38 consecutive months of annual median-price gains. NAR, September 10, 2026 |
| Freddie Mac 30-year mortgage-rate average reported by AP | 7.40% for the week reported October 8, 2026, after seven weekly increases | A time-specific weekly average, not a rate guaranteed to an individual borrower. AP, October 8, 2026 |
The timing matters: FHFA’s next monthly release, covering August, was scheduled for October 27, after the October 9 cutoff. NAR’s September existing-home report was scheduled for October 13, also after that cutoff.
Why prices can rise while fewer homes sell
Sales and prices answer different questions
Sales volume counts how many transactions close, while a price measure tracks what homes sell for or how prices change. Higher mortgage costs can cause some buyers to delay, withdraw, or decide they cannot afford a purchase. That can reduce completed sales without requiring the homes that do sell to become cheaper.
#1 Best Overall
- ENTER DIMENSIONS JUST LIKE YOU SAY THEM: Input measurements directly in feet, inches, building fractions, decimals, yards and meters, including square areas and cubic volumes; one key instantly converts your measurements into all standard Imperial or metric math dimensions that work best for you and the project you are working on
- DEDICATED BUILDING FUNCTION KEYS: Make determining your project needs easy; just input project measurements, select material type like wallpaper, paint or tile; then calculate the quantity needed and total costs to avoid surprises at the homecenter checkout
- ACCURATE MATERIAL ESTIMATION: Helps you estimate material quantities and costs for your projects, ensuring you never buy too much or too little material; simplifies your home improvement and decorating jobs and cuts down on the number of trips to the hardware store
- PRECISE PAINT CALCULATIONS: Calculate exactly how much paint you need to ensure you finish the job without finding yourself with a half-painted room at night with a wet paint roller, and avoid storing or disposing of excess paint
- 11 BUILT-IN TILE SIZES: Make it easy to estimate the quantity needed to complete your project; simply calculate your square footage, then determine the tile required based on tile size and compare tile usage and costs by size; comes complete with hard cover, easy-to-follow user's guide, long-life battery and 1-year warranty
The two price figures also differ. FHFA’s repeat-sales method follows price changes for homes with repeat transactions, which helps track price movement over time. NAR’s median is simply the midpoint of the prices in that month’s sales. If the mix of homes sold changes—for example, toward more expensive properties—the median can rise even if prices for comparable homes do not rise by the same amount. Neither statistic should be substituted for the other.
Limited choice can support prices
There were 1.62 million existing homes for sale in August, 5.9% more than a year earlier, equal to 4.9 months of supply, according to NAR. More listings give buyers additional options and, as NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun put it, “better opportunities to negotiate.” But year-over-year inventory growth does not by itself mean there is an excess of homes in every market or price range. If available homes remain scarce relative to buyers who can proceed, competition for those listings can continue to support prices.
Rank #2
- [LARGE DISPLAY] - The huge LCD screen that clearly displays big numbers makes it easy to read from afar, and it’s aesthetically pleasing.
- [SENSITIVE AND BIG BUTTONS] - Your calculation process will be faster and smoother with this calculator’s responsive buttons. Once pressed, the buttons quickly register and display the corresponding number on the screen. The big size of the buttons prevents you from hitting the wrong button.
- [DUAL POWER DESIGN] - This calculator utilizes both the solar power and battery power (battery included). The solar panel, as long as you use it in a lit environment, will power up the calculator thoroughly.
- [VERSATILE PURPOSES] -This calculator is designed for many occasions: business, office, home, basic budgeting, school, and more. Use it to assist your personal finance or just a quick calculation session.
- [FUNCTIONALITIES] - Add, subtract, multiply, divide, backspace, grand total, CE, %, M+/M-/MRC, On/AC Button, and Auto Power-Off. The calculator will turn itself off after about 6 minutes of being idle.
That supply-and-demand explanation is consistent with the reported numbers, but the cited statistics do not estimate how much of the price trend was caused by supply, rates, or other factors. NAR’s Yun said high mortgage rates were consistent with a mild dip in buying activity; the sales and rate figures show the same broad pattern, not a measured causal effect.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The national picture masks regional differences
National averages can obscure sharply different local conditions. FHFA’s July year-over-year price changes ranged from 0.6% in the Mountain region to 6.3% in the Middle Atlantic region. NAR’s August median sale prices ranged from $340,400 in the Midwest to $619,100 in the West. These regional figures come from different measures—an index change versus a transaction median—so they show geographic variety, not a like-for-like ranking of regional price growth. FHFA; NAR
Rank #3
- LARGE EIGHT-DIGIT DISPLAY – Clear and easy-to-read 8-digit display, perfect for everyday calculations and ensuring accurate results in home or office settings.
- TAX & CURRENCY EXCHANGE FUNCTIONS – Effortlessly handle tax calculations and convert home currency to other currencies for easy financial management.
- GENERAL PURPOSE CALCULATOR – Ideal for a wide range of applications, from basic math to business and personal use, with memory keys for quick storage and recall.
- USER-FRIENDLY KEYBOARD – Easy-to-use layout, featuring square root, percent calculation, and simple functions that make it perfect for everyday tasks.
- COMPACT & PORTABLE DESIGN – Space-saving design that fits easily on any desk or in a briefcase, making it ideal for both home and office use.
What the other national measures add
Quarterly FHFA index
FHFA’s broader quarterly measure showed prices up 2.1% from the second quarter of 2025 to the second quarter of 2026, and up 0.3% from the first quarter of 2026. It offers a longer-period check on the monthly index, but does not change the distinction between price movement and sales activity. FHFA, August 25, 2026
New-home sales
The joint HUD/Census July estimate put new-home sales at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 607,000, down 10.5% from June, with 9.6 months of supply. The estimated median new-home price was $393,800, but the confidence intervals for monthly and annual median-price changes included zero, so those changes were not statistically distinguishable from no change. HUD and Census caution that the survey is subject to sampling variability, preliminary sales can be revised, and four months of data are needed to establish a trend. New homes are a separate market from existing-home resales, and one month’s estimate is not enough to establish a durable price direction. HUD/Census, August 25, 2026
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Essential Cute Calculator for School and Study】The CATIGA 12-digit desk calculator is a cute calculator designed for students and daily users. Its lightweight, colorful build makes math tasks fun and easy. Perfect as a desktop calculator for school, home, or office, it delivers reliable performance with vibrant style.
- 【BIG, ROUND, AND RESPONSIVE BUTTONS】The large, round buttons ensure quick and accurate data entry, making your calculations faster and smoother; their size prevents hitting the wrong button, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors in fast-paced environments
- 【LARGE, ANGLED 12-DIGIT DISPLAY】Featuring a large, angled LCD screen, this calculator ensures clear visibility and comfortable viewing, reducing eye strain and enhancing readability for efficient, prolonged calculations in any environment.
- 【DUAL POWER SOURCES】Combines solar power with a battery backup, providing reliable and uninterrupted use, ideal for extended periods at the office, home, or school
Rank #4
- Easy-to-read 8 digit display
- Large 7-millimeter display height
- Three key memory
- Switch key +/-
- Power saving LCD
How to read this if you are buying or selling
- If you are buying: a rising national index does not tell you whether a particular home is fairly priced. Compare recent sales of similar homes in the same area and account for the monthly payment at the loan terms available to you. The national weekly rate is a benchmark, not a personal quote.
- If you are selling: national price gains do not guarantee that a home will sell quickly or at the asking price. Local inventory, comparable sales, property condition, and the number of active buyers matter.
- If you are tracking the market: keep the statistic and its period attached to the claim. An index change, a median sale price, an annualized closing pace, and months of supply answer different questions.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
