📊 U.S. Housing Market Update: Rising Withdrawals, Delayed Sales & What’s Next for 2026

The housing market is showing a new kind of shift—and it’s not just about price cuts.

🏡 42.3% of listings were withdrawn in September, the highest rate we’ve seen in years. Many sellers are stepping back—not because they’ve given up, but because they’re waiting for better conditions. This trend could shape the housing market in 2026.

Here’s what the latest Compass Intelligence data reveals:

🔹 Withdrawn Listings Are Climbing – Over 200,000 sellers may have paused their plans this year, signaling delayed transactions rather than a looming wave of “shadow inventory.”

🔹 Inventory Has Stabilized – Active inventory has remained flat for 12 weeks, a major shift from recent years where it rose sharply in the fall.

🔹 Pending Home Sales Are Up – Sales remain about 5% higher than this time last year, showing steady buyer activity even as affordability challenges persist.

🔹 Prices Are Holding – The median home price for new contracts is $398,000, up 1% year-over-year—helped by withdrawn listings that removed the most price-sensitive homes from the mix.

💡 Takeaway: The surge in withdrawn listings isn’t just seller frustration—it represents a pool of future buyers waiting on the sidelines. Expect these delayed moves to re-enter the market as conditions improve in 2026.

📺 For a full breakdown and charts, watch the latest Compass Weekly Intelligence with Mike Simonsen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tag85d5bls4

💬 Thinking about your next move? Every market shift brings opportunity. Let’s talk about how these trends could impact your buying or selling strategy.