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In the four weeks ending August 23, new US listings ↑0.4% weekly, while total homes for sale ↑0.5%, reaching their highest levels since Early-Q2.
Pending US home sales ↓1.1% weekly to a 6-mo low, as high housing costs kept many buyers sidelined despite inventory improving nationally.
The median US home-sale price ↑1.9% yearly to >$400K, while the avg. mortgage rate sat near 7%, close to a 13-mo high.
Rising inventory and softer demand created buyer-friendly conditions, giving active shoppers more room to negotiate price cuts or concessions in many US markets.
Experts said homes listed for several weeks often offered the best leverage, while sellers benefited from realistic pricing instead of chasing prices from prior years.

Luxury home sales across the US continue to surprise with their sheer diversity in price points. Recent data from a listings platform highlights just how varied these top-tier transactions can be, with deals ranging from $3.7M all the way up to a headline-making $130M in different metro areas. Some standout markets, including a few with fifth-place sales still topping $10M, really show the depth of luxury demand compared to other cities. One market, in particular, had its top five sales clustered tightly from $24M to $40M—a sign of strong competition at the high end. It’s important to remember these figures reflect only publicly marketed properties, so private deals or nondisclosure markets may not show the full picture. As someone who helps buyers, sellers, and investors make sense of Charlotte’s own luxury market, I always keep an eye on these trends to better guide my clients. Understanding how national luxury sales stack up helps us make more informed decisions right here in our community.

As an agent who closely tracks market shifts in Charlotte, I’m seeing a trend that could mean new opportunities for local buyers and sellers alike. Nationally, new listings rose by 0.4% and total homes for sale increased by 0.5%, both reaching their highest marks since earlier this year. At the same time, pending sales dropped by 1.1%, hitting a six-month low as buyers faced median home prices above $400K and mortgage rates that remain in the mid-6% range. Many are pausing, weighing economic uncertainty or waiting for interest rates to ease.

For those actively searching, this combination of growing inventory and softer demand is starting to open up room for negotiation—think potential price reductions, concessions, rate buydowns, or repairs, especially on homes that have been on the market a bit longer. Experts note there’s a window right now, before buyer activity could rebound later in the year, while sellers who price right from the start are seeing the strongest results.

In Charlotte, I’m helping families and investors navigate these shifts—making sure you have the insight to move confidently, whether you’re buying your first home, selling, or looking to expand your portfolio. Staying informed and strategic is key to making the most of today’s market.

In Mid-Q3, US consumers felt better about current conditions, but confidence overall softened as views of income, business, and jobs over coming months worsened.
The present-conditions index ↑~7 points to 121, while the expectations gauge ↓~6 points to 68, slipping below a level long tied to recession risk.
In Early-Q3, employers cut 23K jobs, and unemployment edged to ~4% largely because workers left the labor force, not because hiring improved.
Even with softer confidence, homebuying expectations eased only slightly in Mid-Q3 and kept rising, while ~61% still expected interest rates to move higher.
With federal policymakers holding rates steady and markets pricing limited near-term relief, borrowing costs looked set to stay elevated through year-end for buyers.

Labor Day in the United States celebrates the contributions of workers everywhere, while also unofficially marking the final big summer weekend before fall takes over.
It’s known for backyard barbecues, road trips, and that classic tradition of buying things you didn’t know you needed because “it’s on sale.”
Beaches, parks, and grills reach peak activity as everyone tries to squeeze every last drop of summer fun out of the long weekend.
Happy Labor Day! Wishing you a fun, easygoing weekend filled with good vibes, great food, and absolutely no thoughts about Monday.

US mortgage application volume stayed nearly flat recently, as steady borrowing costs gave both buyers and refinancers little fresh incentive to make a move.
Purchase activity led the slowdown, with applications ↓2% on a seasonally adjusted basis and ↓3% unadjusted from the previous reading across the US.
Refinance activity provided limited support, with the index ↑2% and the refinance share near 42%, while larger-balance borrowers remained less likely to act.
Affordability pressures and economic uncertainty pushed some buyers to delay decisions, although VA applications offered a modest bright spot as their share hit 12.6%.
Mortgage pricing changed little, and with the 30-yr conforming rate near 7% and no central bank rate cuts expected through 2026, patience remained key.

Mortgage rates are now expected to remain elevated into 2027, meaning financing costs could continue influencing buyer decisions.
A slower decline in rates could keep demand below historical norms even if economic conditions improve.
Buyers may increasingly focus on rate buydowns, adjustable products, and other financing strategies to manage borrowing costs.
Home-price growth could remain moderate as high financing costs limit how aggressively buyers can bid.