In a Positive Sign, New Home Sales Hold Steady in April
In a sign that the housing market is stabilizing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 0.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 623,000 units in April, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. The April rate is 6.2% lower than the April 2019 pace.
“The April data for new home sales show the potential for housing to lead any recovery for the overall economy,” said NAHB Chairman Dean Mon. “Because the housing industry entered this downturn underbuilt, there exists considerable pent-up housing demand on the sidelines. The experience of the virus mitigation has emphasized the importance of home for most Americans.”
“The April estimates from Census came in better than forecast, so there is a possibility of a downward revision in the next release,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Nonetheless, the data matches recent commentary from builders and reflects recent gains in mortgage applications. Despite significant challenges in overall economic conditions, the months’ supply held steady at a reasonably healthy level of 6.3”
A new home sale occurs when a sales contract is signed or a deposit is accepted. The home can be in any stage of construction: not yet started, under construction or completed. In addition to adjusting for seasonal effects, the April reading of 623,000 units is the number of homes that would sell if this pace continued for the next 12 months.
Inventory edged lower to a 6.3 months’ supply, with 325,000 new single-family homes for sale, 3% lower than April 2019. Of that total, just 78,000 are completed, ready to occupy. The median sales price was $303,900. The median price of a new home sale a year earlier was $339,000. Median prices were lower due to increased use of builder price incentives in April.
Regionally, new home sales were up 8.7% in the Northeast, 2.4% in the Midwest and 2.4% in the South. New home sales were down 6.3% in the West.
Latest from NAHBNow
IBS | Membership
Feb 10, 2026
Planning for IBS? Schedule a Stop at NAHB HQNAHB HQ has something for everyone. All registrants can participate in enrichment sessions, learn about NAHB membership, and network with attendees. NAHB members will have exclusive member-only areas with giveaways, snacks, charging areas, and more.
Advocacy
Feb 09, 2026
House Passes NAHB-Supported Major Housing PackageThe House this evening approved the Housing for the 21st Century Act, a major bipartisan housing package that takes much-needed steps toward addressing our nation’s critical lack of housing.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Feb 10, 2026
Credit Card Balances Rise in Q4 2025Overall consumer credit continued to expand in the fourth quarter of 2025, with growth in both nonrevolving and revolving credit. Nonrevolving credit, primarily student and auto loans, accounts for 74% of total outstanding consumer credit, while revolving credit, largely credit card balances, makes up the remaining 26%.
Economics
Feb 10, 2026
Weaker Demand, Unchanged Lending Conditions for Residential Mortgages in Fourth QuarterLending standards for most types of residential mortgages were essentially unchanged but overall demand was weaker in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the recent release of the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).
Economics
Feb 09, 2026
Lower Rates Lift Mortgage Activity at Start of the YearMortgage application activity rose sharply in January, driven primarily by a surge in refinancing activity as mortgage rates declined to a new low. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, increased 12.9% from December on a seasonally adjusted basis and was 61.3% higher than a year earlier.