The REMAX National Housing Report tracks how long homes take to sell across 46 metro areas each month. In July 2026 the average home spent 45 days on market, three days longer than in June and one day longer than a year earlier. That national figure covered a wide range, from metros where homes went under contract in under three weeks to one where the typical listing took nearly three months.
Days on market measures the time between when a home is listed and when the seller signs a contract. A lower number points to faster turnover and, in most cases, steadier buyer demand relative to supply. The rankings below show where homes sold quickest and where they sat longest in July 2026.
Key Takeaways
- The national average was 45 days on market in July 2026, up three days from June.
- Hartford, CT recorded the fastest sales at 18 days.
- San Antonio, TX recorded the slowest at 85 days, nearly five times Hartford’s pace.
- All five of the slowest markets were in the Sun Belt.
- Speed did not track price. Fast and slow markets appeared across a range of price points.
| Rank | Metro Area | Avg. Days on Market (July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartford, CT | 18 |
| 2 (tie) | Omaha, NE | 25 |
| 2 (tie) | Anchorage, AK | 25 |
| 4 | Cincinnati, OH | 26 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | 27 |
Where Did Homes Sell Fastest in July 2026?
Hartford, Connecticut had the shortest average time on market in July 2026 at 18 days. Omaha, Nebraska and Anchorage, Alaska followed, tied at 25 days, then Cincinnati, Ohio at 26 days and Chicago, Illinois at 27 days. Each of these markets moved at least 18 days faster than the national average of 45.
Hartford has held one of the tightest markets in the report for months, with among the lowest supply of homes for sale of any metro surveyed. When listings are scarce relative to buyers, homes tend to sell quickly, and Connecticut’s capital showed that pattern clearly in July.
Where Did Homes Sell Slowest in July 2026?
San Antonio, Texas had the longest average time on market at 85 days. Miami, Florida followed at 77 days, then Phoenix, Arizona at 74 days, Tampa, Florida at 71 days and Orlando, Florida at 65 days. All five sat well above the national average of 45.
Each of these markets also carried more homes for sale than the country as a whole. San Antonio and Miami held some of the largest months’ supply figures in the July report, which gave buyers more to choose from and less reason to rush a decision.
| Rank | Metro Area | Avg. Days on Market (July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Antonio, TX | 85 |
| 2 | Miami, FL | 77 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | 74 |
| 4 | Tampa, FL | 71 |
| 5 | Orlando, FL | 65 |
What Explained the Gap in July 2026?
The spread between the fastest and slowest markets came down largely to the balance between supply and demand in each metro. Markets in the Northeast and Midwest, including Hartford, Cincinnati and Chicago, entered July with limited inventory, so homes that came up for sale met ready buyers. Several Sun Belt metros carried heavier inventory after years of construction and in-migration, which lengthened the time a typical listing stayed active.
Season played a part too. July sits past the spring peak, and the national average lengthened by three days from June as summer sales cooled. Homes still sold, just at a more measured pace than during the busiest months of the year.
What Did This Mean for Buyers and Sellers?
Days on market describes an entire metro, not a single neighborhood or home. A well-priced listing in a slow market can still sell in days, and an overpriced one in a fast market can sit. In quicker metros like Hartford or Cincinnati, buyers benefited from pre-approval and fast decisions. In slower metros like San Antonio or Tampa, buyers generally had more time to compare homes and negotiate. A local REMAX agent can explain how these numbers translated to a specific area and price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which U.S. housing market sold homes fastest in July 2026?
Hartford, Connecticut sold homes fastest in the July 2026 REMAX National Housing Report, at an average of 18 days on market. That was 27 days quicker than the national average of 45.
Which housing market was slowest in July 2026?
San Antonio, Texas was the slowest, with homes averaging 85 days on market. Miami, Florida followed at 77 days.
What was the average days on market in July 2026?
Homes across the 46 metro areas in the July 2026 REMAX National Housing Report sold in an average of 45 days, up three days from June and one day from July 2025.
Why do some housing markets sell faster than others?
The pace of sales tracks the balance between homes for sale and active buyers. Markets with limited inventory relative to demand tend to sell faster, while markets with more supply give buyers additional time and usually show longer days on market.
