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US Housing Market in September Three Trends to Watch

  • by- Zaid
  • Sep 7, 2026
Realtor.com highlights delistings, price cuts and growing softness in the Midwest and Northeast as key US housing market trends to watch in September 2026.
US Housing Market in September Three Trends to Watch

United States | September 7, 2026: The US housing market enters September with signs of slowing activity, making seller behavior and regional trends important indicators for the weeks ahead. Realtor.com has highlighted three key areas to watch as the fall housing season begins.


Delistings Will Remain a Key Signal

Home delistings were 12.6% lower than a year earlier in August, with no major summer spike. The key question for September is whether this gap continues or sellers begin removing more properties from the market as borrowing costs remain elevated.


Price Cut Behaviour Could Change

Price cuts reached 20.4% of active listings in August, matching last year's level for the first time in 2026. Realtor.com noted that sellers have generally been cutting prices less frequently and less deeply this year, but that could change if buyer demand weakens further in September.

 


Midwest and Northeast Show Growing Softness

Regional trends will also need close attention. The Midwest recorded 10.5% year-over-year inventory growth, while the Northeast saw a 9.1% increase. Rising inventory and increasing price cuts in these regions could signal that previously tighter markets are beginning to soften.


Mortgage Rates Could Shape September Demand

The three indicators will also be influenced by mortgage costs. Realtor.com reported that average mortgage rates rose for six consecutive months, reaching 6.67% in August, while rates moved above year-ago levels. Higher financing costs could further limit buyer demand heading into the fall.

 


What September Could Reveal

September could provide a clearer picture of whether August's slowdown was mainly seasonal or the beginning of a broader cooling trend. If delistings remain low, price cuts stay manageable and inventory continues to rise, buyers could gain more negotiating power without triggering a sharp market correction.

For sellers, the ability to price competitively may become increasingly important as buyers become more selective and regional differences become more visible.