U.S. existing home sales sharply declined in January 2026, with the indicator dropping to -8.4% month-over-month, according to data updated on 12 February 2026. The move marks a stark reversal from December 2025, when existing home sales had risen by 4.4% compared with the previous month.
The figures highlight a significant shift in market momentum over just one month. While December’s 4.4% increase suggested a tentative recovery in resale housing activity, January’s 8.4% decline indicates renewed weakness in the existing home market. The data are reported on a month-over-month basis, meaning January’s performance is measured against December’s, while the December reading reflected changes relative to November.
This swing from strong positive growth to a steep contraction underscores ongoing volatility in U.S. housing demand. Analysts and market participants will be watching upcoming releases closely for signs of whether January’s drop is a temporary setback or the start of a more prolonged slowdown in existing home sales.
