📊 Housing Forecast · August 2026 Data
Dear Rynoh Clients & Prospects,
Home sales pulled back in August while inventory kept climbing, and two of the major forecasters trimmed their 2026 sales outlooks. Here’s what the numbers show and what they mean for title and escrow teams heading into the fall.
Research
Industry Partner
October Research
Market intelligence for the title and settlement industry, and publisher of The Title Report and RESPA News.
August by the numbers
Market Snapshot
Existing Home Sales
363,000
Down 9.5% from July’s revised 401,000 and down 3.5% from a year ago. The seasonally adjusted annual rate came in at 3.98 million, down 2.0% from July.
Inventory
1.62M homes
NAR counted a 4.9-month supply, up 3.2% from July and 5.9% year over year. Zillow tracked 1.41 million active listings, up 0.2% from July and 3.0% year over year.
Home Prices
$429,100
The national median price rose 1.6% from a year ago, the 38th straight month of annual gains.
30-year fixed rate outlook
Mortgage Rate Forecasts
| Source | 2026 | 2027 | This Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fannie Mae | 6.5% | 6.7% | — Unchanged |
| MBA | 6.8% | 6.7% | ▲ 2026 raised from 6.7% |
Total home sales
September 2026 Sales Forecasts
| Source | Year | Forecast | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAR | 2026 | 4.22M vs. 4.06M | ▲ 4.0% |
| MBA | 2026 | 4.75M vs. 4.76M | ▼ 0.1% |
| Fannie Mae | 2026 | 4.69M vs. 4.75M | ▼ 1.3% |
| MBA | 2027 | 4.93M vs. 4.75M | ▲ 3.8% |
| Fannie Mae | 2027 | 4.88M vs. 4.69M | ▲ 4.1% |
NAR’s sales forecast is unchanged this month. Its next quarterly update is due in October.
Mortgage Bankers Association
Mortgage Originations Forecast
| Year | Total | Purchase | Refinance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ▲ 9.7% 5.53M |
▼ 1.3% 3.54M |
▲ 36.7% 1.99M |
| 2027 | ▼ 2.2% 5.41M |
▲ 2.4% 3.63M |
▼ 10.1% 1.79M |
The bottom line
What It Means for Title & Escrow Teams
Run Lean This Fall
August was the first month this year with sales down both from the month before and from a year ago. This is a time to hold steady on staffing rather than add headcount.
Expect Longer Timelines
With more homes on the market, buyers have more choices and take more time. Plan for longer stretches between contract and closing.
More Refis, More Payoffs
A heavier refinance mix means more payoffs and disbursements moving through your escrow accounts, and more to reconcile.
Keep Every Escrow Account in Balance
As refinances pick up, Rynoh reconciles your escrow accounts daily and flags issues before they become problems.
Sources: National Association of Realtors (NAR), Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), Fannie Mae, and Zillow.