Pending home sales in the United States showed a modest improvement in August 2026, rising 0.3% month-over-month, according to data updated on 17 September 2026. The increase follows a sharp decline of 2.6% in July 2026, suggesting a tentative stabilization in housing market activity.
The latest reading indicates that while demand in the housing sector remains under pressure, contract signings are no longer falling at the pace seen in midsummer. On a month-over-month basis, August’s 0.3% gain marks a clear reversal from July’s downturn, when pending home sales dropped 2.6% compared with June.
The month-over-month comparison highlights a fragile but positive shift in momentum: the “actual” August figure reflects a small recovery from the prior month’s weakness, while the “previous” July figure continues to underscore the volatility seen earlier in the season. Market participants will be watching upcoming data closely to see whether August’s uptick signals the start of a more sustained improvement in US housing activity.
