Existing Home Sales (Annualized) vs Housing Starts (Annualized)
Existing Home Sales (Annualized) is currently 4.26M (up +0.2M). Housing Starts (Annualized) is currently 1,501K (up +151.0K).
| Metric | Existing Home Sales (Annualized) | Housing Starts (Annualized) |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 4.26M | 1,501K |
| Previous reading | 4.08M | 1350K |
| Change | +0.2M | +151.0K |
| Trend | up | up |
| Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Source | National Association of Realtors | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Last updated | 2026-03-20 | 2026-03-18 |
| Category | housing | housing |
What Existing Home Sales (Annualized) measures
Existing home sales measures the number of completed sales of previously owned homes, expressed as a seasonally adjusted annual rate. It accounts for approximately 85-90% of all home sales in the U.S.
At 4.26 million, existing home sales remain well below the 2021 peak of 6.1 million. The 'lock-in effect' — where homeowners refuse to give up sub-4% mortgages — continues to constrain inventory. For executives, this suppressed transaction volume affects real estate commissions, moving services, home improvement spending, and mortgage origination revenue across the industry.
What Housing Starts (Annualized) measures
Housing starts measures the number of new residential construction projects begun during a given month, expressed as a seasonally adjusted annual rate. It is a leading indicator of economic activity because construction generates employment and demand for materials.
Housing starts jumped to 1.50 million annualized, a strong reading. For executives, residential construction is a multiplier: each new home generates demand for lumber, appliances, furnishings, landscaping, and financial services. Strong starts signal builder confidence despite elevated mortgage rates, likely driven by the severe shortage of existing homes for sale.
Frequently asked
Existing Home Sales (Annualized) is currently 4.26M, up +0.2M from the previous reading. Source: National Association of Realtors, updated monthly.
Housing Starts (Annualized) is currently 1,501K, up +151.0K from the previous reading. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, updated monthly.
At 4.26 million, existing home sales remain well below the 2021 peak of 6.1 million. The 'lock-in effect' — where homeowners refuse to give up sub-4% mortgages — continues to constrain inventory. For Housing starts jumped to 1.50 million annualized, a strong reading. For executives, residential construction is a multiplier: each new home generates demand for lumber, appliances, furnishings, landsc