Buying a home in August 2026 means shopping a market with more listings than a year ago and a median price that was unchanged from the month before. The July 2026 REMAX National Housing Report, the most recent release available during August, recorded a median sales price of $450,000 across 46 metro areas. That figure was flat compared to June 2026 and 3.4% higher than July 2025.
Inventory was up 4.7% year over year. Months’ supply of inventory measured 3.0, compared to 2.7 in June and 2.9 a year earlier. More listings did not arrive with a lower entry price. For buyers purchasing a first home, the distance between more options and more affordable options is where the reported data gets difficult.
The national snapshot behind buying a home in August 2026
These are the headline figures from the July 2026 REMAX National Housing Report, based on MLS data across 46 metro areas.
National snapshot: July 2026
| Metric | July 2026 | vs. June 2026 | vs. July 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median sales price | $450,000 | Flat | Up 3.4% |
| Closed transactions | Not reported as a total | Down 5.7% | Up 2.5% |
| New listings | Not reported as a total | Down 2.7% | Up 1.4% |
| Inventory | Not reported as a total | Up 2.8% | Up 4.7% |
| Months' supply of inventory | 3.0 | Up from 2.7 | Up from 2.9 |
| Days on market | 45 | Up 3 days | Up 1 day |
| Close-to-list price ratio | 99% | Unchanged | Unchanged |
Source: REMAX National Housing Report, July 2026. Based on MLS data across 46 metro areas. Figures reflect reported results and are not a forecast.
Where first-time buyers faced the tightest conditions
The reported entry price was higher than a year earlier
A median sales price of $450,000, up 3.4% year over year, works out to roughly $14,800 more than the same month in 2025. Buyers who spent the previous 12 months saving toward a target figure were measuring against a higher one by July.
Some metros reported homes closing above list price
The 99% national close-to-list price ratio indicates that, on average across the 46 metros, homes closed just under asking price. Individual markets differed. Hartford, CT reported a 105% close-to-list ratio alongside 0.9 months’ supply and an average of 18 days on market, the lowest figures for both metrics in the report. San Francisco, CA also reported 105%. New York, NY reported 102%. Chicago, Philadelphia, Providence, Richmond, St. Louis and Trenton each reported 101%.
Lower-priced metros often reported tighter supply
The spread between metros was wide. San Francisco, CA reported a $1,180,000 median sales price. Wichita, KS reported $250,000, the lowest in the report.
Several of the lowest-priced metros also reported some of the lowest months’ supply figures:
- Wichita, KS: $250,000 median, 1.9 months’ supply, inventory down 16.2% year over year
- Pittsburgh, PA: $279,000 median, 2.1 months’ supply
- Cleveland, OH: $285,000 median, 1.6 months’ supply
- Tulsa, OK: $290,000 median, 1.5 months’ supply, inventory down 4.3% year over year
- St. Louis, MO: $310,000 median, 1.5 months’ supply, 101% close-to-list ratio
The metros reporting the largest year-over-year inventory gains carried higher medians: San Diego, CA up 48.1%, Los Angeles, CA up 45.5% and San Francisco, CA up 39.0%. Detroit, MI was an exception, reporting inventory up 43.0% against a $313,000 median.
Listings took longer to go under contract
Homes sold in July 2026 spent an average of 45 days on market, three days longer than in June 2026 and one day longer than July 2025. Individual metros ranged widely. San Antonio, TX reported 85 days on market with 6.0 months’ supply and a 97% close-to-list ratio. Miami, FL reported 77 days with 6.2 months’ supply and a 94% close-to-list ratio, the lowest ratio in the report. Phoenix, AZ reported 74 days and Tampa, FL reported 71.
What the July data reported in buyers’ favor
- More listings available. Inventory was up 4.7% year over year and 2.8% from June 2026.
- Median price unchanged month over month. The median sales price held at $450,000 from June to July.
- New-listing prices dipped. The median listing price of new listings was down 1.1% from June 2026, though up 1.8% year over year.
- Closing above asking was not the national average. The close-to-list price ratio measured 99%, unchanged from June 2026 and July 2025.
- Supply measured higher. Months’ supply of inventory reached 3.0, up from 2.7 in June 2026.
How to read your local market before you shop
National averages describe 46 metro areas combined, not any single neighborhood. The REMAX National Housing Report tracks four metrics that describe local conditions.
- Months’ supply of inventory. Total homes listed at month end divided by contracts signed during the month. In July 2026, this ranged from 0.9 in Hartford, CT to 6.2 in Miami, FL.
- Days on market. The average number of days from listing until a property goes under contract. July 2026 ranged from 18 days in Hartford, CT to 85 days in San Antonio, TX.
- Close-to-list price ratio. Sales price divided by list price. Above 100% means homes closed above asking price. Below 100% means below asking price. Miami’s 94% was the lowest in the report.
- Year-over-year inventory change. A rising figure indicates more listings than the same month last year. A falling figure indicates fewer.
Metro figures first-time buyers can compare
The metros below are shown for data comparison and are not recommendations. Each row reflects reported July 2026 figures only.
Metro comparison: July 2026
| Metro | Median sales price | Months' supply | Days on market | Close-to-list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS | $250,000 | 1.9 | 36 | 99% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $279,000 | 2.1 | 42 | 98% |
| Cleveland, OH | $285,000 | 1.6 | 27 | 100% |
| Detroit, MI | $313,000 | 2.8 | 28 | 100% |
| San Antonio, TX | $319,000 | 6.0 | 85 | 97% |
| Birmingham, AL | $320,000 | 3.5 | 49 | 99% |
| Houston, TX | $340,000 | 5.2 | 51 | 97% |
| Tampa, FL | $375,000 | 4.2 | 71 | 97% |
Source: REMAX National Housing Report, July 2026. Metros are shown for data comparison only and are not recommendations. Figures reflect reported results and are not a forecast.
What the July 2026 figures add up to
The reported data describes a July with roughly three months of supply nationally, homes averaging 45 days from listing to contract and a median price unchanged from June. Conditions in a single metro looked nothing like the national average, in either direction. A first-time buyer working from the national headline alone was working from the wrong number.
A local agent can pull months’ supply, days on market, close-to-list ratio and inventory change for a specific neighborhood and price range. Start at REMAX.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median home price in August 2026?
The most recent figure available during August 2026 comes from the July 2026 REMAX National Housing Report, which recorded a median sales price of $450,000 across 46 metro areas. That was flat compared to June 2026 and 3.4% higher than July 2025.
Is it a buyer’s market in August 2026?
The REMAX National Housing Report does not label markets as buyer or seller markets. Its July 2026 data recorded 3.0 months’ supply of inventory nationally, 45 average days on market and a 99% close-to-list price ratio. Reported conditions varied widely by metro, from 0.9 months’ supply in Hartford, CT to 6.2 in Miami, FL.
Which metro areas reported the lowest median home prices?
In the July 2026 REMAX National Housing Report, the lowest median sales prices among the 46 metros surveyed were Wichita, KS at $250,000, Pittsburgh, PA at $279,000, Cleveland, OH at $285,000, Tulsa, OK at $290,000 and St. Louis, MO at $310,000.
Which markets reported the most inventory relative to sales?
Metros with the highest months’ supply and lowest close-to-list price ratios in July 2026 included Miami, FL at 6.2 months’ supply and a 94% close-to-list ratio, San Antonio, TX at 6.0 months and 97%, and Houston, TX at 5.2 months and 97%.
How long did homes take to sell?
Homes sold in July 2026 spent an average of 45 days on market across the 46 metros surveyed. That was three days longer than June 2026 and one day longer than July 2025. Hartford, CT reported the lowest average at 18 days. San Antonio, TX reported the highest at 85 days.
Did homes sell above asking price?
On average across the 46 metros, no. The close-to-list price ratio was 99% in July 2026, unchanged from both June 2026 and July 2025. Some metros reported higher figures, including Hartford, CT and San Francisco, CA at 105% and New York, NY at 102%.
Where does this housing data come from?
All figures come from the REMAX National Housing Report, distributed mid-month and based on MLS data for single-family residential property types across 46 metro areas. The report is not annualized. MLS data is provided by Constellation.
About this data
All figures cited in this article come from the REMAX National Housing Report for July 2026, based on MLS data across 46 metro areas for single-family residential property types. The report is not annualized. MLS data is provided by Constellation. While MLS data is believed to be reliable, it cannot be guaranteed. MLS data is updated continuously, which makes any analysis a snapshot at a particular point in time.Every figure above describes conditions that have already been reported. Nothing in this article is a forecast, projection or estimate of future housing prices, inventory, sales volume or market conditions.
This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not financial, lending, tax, investment or legal advice. Down payment requirements, loan eligibility, interest rates and closing costs vary by lender, loan program and individual borrower. Consult a licensed mortgage professional and a licensed real estate agent regarding your specific circumstances.
Metro areas referenced throughout are included for data comparison only and are not recommendations regarding where any person should live or purchase a home. Each Office Independently Owned and Operated. REMAX, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act and equal opportunity housing.
