After five straight months of growth of home sales, the U.S. housing market cooled a little in July. According to REMAX’s National Housing Report, which surveys 52 metro areas, sales dipped 0.7% in July 2025, when compared to June of 2025. Home sales were still higher in July 2025, than in July 2024 – 0.6% higher, to be exact. Overall, homes stayed on the market longer in July 2025 and inventory levels increased. Prices held relatively strong with not much movement on that front.
If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home soon, July’s report paints an interesting picture. REMAX breaks down what the report means for buyers, sellers, and anyone else keeping an eye on the real estate market.
How Long Were Homes on the Market in July?
One of the more notable changes was the increase in days on market. Overall, homes averaged 44 days on the market before going under contract. That is in contrast to just 37 days on the market in July of 2024. That’s also three days longer than last month, June 2025. It looks like buyers had a little more breathing room. This means that there might be more time for buyers to negotiate and adjust expectations. The current market seems to call for more patience and strategy.
Did Home Prices Go Down?
REMAX’s report found that in July 2025 the median U.S. home price was $450,000, a 1.1% dip from June 2025. This can likely be attributed to the fact that there’s normally a shift in sales towards the end of the summer. Year-over-year though, prices were still up 2.3% when compared to July 2024. Even with seasonal adjustments, home prices were resilient in July.
For sellers, this means homes were still worth more than a year ago. For buyers, it shows that waiting too long to buy could mean higher prices.
Was There More Housing Inventory in July?
Inventory continued to trend up in July. The number of homes for sale dipped slightly in July (down 0.8% from June), but overall, they were 27.7% higher than July of last year. That increase in listings, gave buyers more options in July. Sellers, on the other hand, faced more competition in July, which made pricing and selling strategies even more important.
New listings fell 2.5% from June, but were still 4.4% higher than last July. July marked the 17th straight month of year-over-year growth in new listings, proving that homeowners were confident about entering the market.
What the Numbers Really Meant in July
Industry leaders noted that July’s numbers reflected a healthy seasonal adjustment rather than a slowdown. “July’s housing data reflected a market that was adjusting seasonally,” said REMAX Holdings, Inc. CEO Erik Carlson. “Homes were taking a bit longer to sell, but inventory remained consistent, and prices held steady. That was a sign of resilience—and continued opportunity for both buyers and sellers.”
In San Antonio, which had one of the highest inventory levels at 5.6 months of supply, local broker/owner Sara Briseño Gerrish emphasized the importance of expert guidance. “While the number of sales was down and the days on market increased, the average sales price also continued to increase,” she explained. “Now more than ever, it was crucial to work with an experienced real estate agent who understood the local market dynamics.”
Close-to-List Price Ratio
Nationwide, buyers paid 99% of asking price, matching June but down from 100% last year. Some markets remained very competitive, like Hartford, CT (104.4%) and New York, NY (102%). Others, like Miami, FL (94.3%), gave buyers more room to negotiate.
Is It a Good Time to Buy a House?
For buyers, July’s housing market offered some insights:
- More inventory could mean more choice for buyers
- Homes took longer to sell, which may help buyers have a little more time when buying
- Buyers were paying slightly less than asking price in some markets
All that being said, prices were still climbing year-over-year. The opportunities in July were in markets with higher inventory, where buyers had stronger negotiating power.
Should You Sell Your Home Now?
In the eyes of a home seller, July was still a good time to list but may have required a thoughtful approach. In some markets, homes didn’t sell as fast in July 2025 as they have previously. This made pricing correctly and preparing a home for sale more important than ever. Prices remained higher than last year, so hopefully this could be seen as a positive for sellers as there was opportunity for some equity gains. The best way to make sure that a home stands out in a more competitive market is to find a real estate agent who you can have faith in when it comes to selling a home.
The Bottom Line
Overall, July’s housing market numbers paint a varied picture. After years of swings, it looks like there may be more balance in the market in July. Homes stayed on the market longer, which may have given buyers more leverage. However, prices remained strong when compared to 2024, and inventory levels have started to increase quite a bit. For buyers that may mean more opportunity, and for sellers it means having a sound strategy.
July’s numbers suggested a more sustainable market, presenting opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Of course, every housing market is different, and numbers are different in every neighborhood. Consult with an expert real estate agent who knows what these numbers mean for you and your homebuying journey.
