A small bounce, a smaller pool. Qualified buyers are precious.
Sales ticked up after a slow summer, but higher rates are narrowing who can buy. Agents need to find, educate and move fast on qualified buyers.
By the Xuru Technologies team · 14 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Existing home sales rose 1.5% in September 2026 to a 3.99 million pace.
- August and September were the two slowest months of the year, NAR said.
- Inventory rose to 1.60 million homes, and prices rose 1.3%.
- Higher mortgage rates mean fewer buyers can qualify.
After the Fed's September hike, borrowing costs rose again. Even so, buyers with the means kept moving.
What happened
The National Association of Realtors reported gains in the South and West and declines year on year in all regions. Chief economist Lawrence Yun warned rising rates are limiting qualified buyers.
What it means for agents
- More choice for buyers. Rising inventory means listings must stand out.
- Pre-qualified buyers matter. Focus effort where deals can close.
- Education builds pipelines. Future buyers need guidance now.
Autumn playbook
| Tool | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Rich listing pages | Stand out as inventory rises. |
| Affordability calculator | Helps buyers self-qualify. |
| Lender partner pages | Faster pre-approvals. |
| Nurture emails | Keep future buyers engaged. |
Frequently asked questions
How did US home sales do in September 2026?They rose 1.5% to a 3.99 million annual pace, with inventory at 1.60 million homes.
They rose 1.5% to a 3.99 million annual pace, with inventory at 1.60 million homes.
Why are fewer buyers qualifying?Rising mortgage rates increase monthly payments, so fewer households meet lending criteria.
Rising mortgage rates increase monthly payments, so fewer households meet lending criteria.
How can agents attract qualified buyers?Offer affordability tools, partner with lenders for pre-approval and make listings detailed and easy to find.
Offer affordability tools, partner with lenders for pre-approval and make listings detailed and easy to find.
Find the buyers who can close.
Listing pages, calculators and nurture emails for estate agents.
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