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
Economics
Feb 13, 2026
Existing Home Sales in January Plunged to Lowest Level Since 2024Existing home sales in January fell to lowest level since August 2024 as tight inventory continued to push home prices higher and winter weather weighed on sales activity.
Economics
Feb 12, 2026
The Biggest Challenges Expected by Home Builders in 2026According to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, 84% of home builders felt the most significant challenge builders faced in 2025 was high interest rates and 65% anticipate interest rates will remain a problem in 2026.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Feb 13, 2026
Inflation Eased in JanuaryInflation eased to an eight-month low in January, confirming a continued downward trend. Though most Consumer Price Index (CPI) components have resolved shutdown-related distortions from last fall, the shelter index will remain affected through April due to the imputation method used for housing costs. The shelter index is likely to show larger increases in the coming months.
Economics
Feb 12, 2026
Existing Home Sales Retreat Amid Low InventoryExisting home sales fell in January to a more than two-year low after December’s strong rebound, as tight inventory continued to push home prices higher and winter storms weighed on activity. Despite mortgage rates trending lower and wage growth outpacing price gains, limited resale supply kept many buyers on the sidelines.
Economics
Feb 12, 2026
Residential Building Worker Wages Slow in 2025 Amid Cooling Housing ActivityWage growth for residential building workers moderated notably in 2025, reflecting a broader cooling in housing activity and construction labor demand. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), both nominal and real wages remained modest during the fourth quarter, signaling a shift from the rapid post-pandemic expansion to a slower-growth phase.