U.S. existing home sales declined in January 2026, falling to 3.91 million units on an annualized basis, down from 4.27 million in December 2025. The latest data, updated on 12 February 2026, underscore a continued cooling in the housing market after the stronger pace seen at the end of last year.
The January reading marks a notable step down from December’s level, suggesting that demand in the resale market may be softening after previous resilience. While the data do not detail the drivers behind the slowdown, the shift from 4.27M to 3.91M in just one month highlights growing headwinds for existing home transactions at the start of 2026.
With existing homes making up a major share of overall housing activity, the weaker January figure will be watched closely by market participants looking for signs of broader momentum—or vulnerability—in the U.S. real estate sector as the year progresses.
