Q3 2025 Real Estate Wrap-Up: Strong Finish, Strong Signals

Wally Bressler Sep 29, 2025

As the third quarter of 2025 came to a close, the U.S. housing market didn’t just hold steady—it picked up speed. September brought in monthly highs and year-over-year gains, showing real strength and momentum as we head into the final months of the year.

If you’ve been waiting to see where things are heading, this HouseJet review reveals what the latest numbers mean—and how they might actually play out for everyday buyers and sellers.

Q3 by the Numbers

New home sales jumped

In August 2025, sales of new single-family homes hit 800,000 units (seasonally adjusted annual rate)—a +20.5% jump from July.
Compared to August 2024, that’s a +15.4% increase.
The median price for those homes was $413,500, up 4.7% from July and 1.9% from last year.

👉 Real-life example: If you’ve been considering a new construction home, builders are moving inventory faster than they did earlier this year. That means they’re often sweetening the deal with rate buy-downs or closing cost credits—so buyers willing to act now may save thousands.

Inventory is loosening slightly

New-home inventory sat at 490,000 units, down 1.4% from July, but still 4% higher year-over-year.
That equals about 7.4 months of supply, down from 9.0 months in July.

👉 Real-life example: Imagine you’re a buyer who kept getting outbid last spring. With more homes on the market now, you may finally have the breathing room to choose the right home instead of rushing into a bidding war.

Existing homes show signs of stability

Existing-home sales were basically flat in August (down just 0.2% from July).
Year-over-year, the Midwest and South saw contract signings climb, while the Northeast and West dipped.
Active inventory was up 15.9% from June 2024 to June 2025, making the market feel more balanced.

👉 Real-life example: For sellers, this means you might not see the same frenzy of multiple offers as during the pandemic boom—but well-priced homes in good condition are still selling quickly. If you’re listing a three-bedroom family home in a sought-after school district, odds are you’ll still attract strong interest.

Mortgage rates and affordability

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.82% in June 2025—more than double the ~2.99% of mid-2021.
While that’s made payments tougher, experts still forecast modest home price growth of around 3% for 2025.

👉 Real-life example: If you buy a $400,000 home today and prices rise by just 3% next year, you’ve already gained $12,000 in equity—even before paying down your loan balance. That’s why some buyers are deciding to buy now instead of waiting for lower rates that may not arrive soon.

Q3’s High Note

September wrapped up with two major positives: monthly highs and year-over-year growth.

New home sales saw their strongest month of 2025 (+20.5% over July).
Year-over-year sales were up 15.4% compared to August 2024.
Inventory gave buyers a bit more room to breathe, while sellers still benefited from solid demand.

This balance—momentum for both buyers and sellers—is what makes Q3 so encouraging.

Why It’s Still a Good Time to Sell (and Buy)

Markets usually tilt in one direction, but Q3 2025 shows there’s opportunity on both sides.

For Sellers

Buyer demand is still strong, especially for homes priced right.
Homes are selling faster than earlier this year.
Equity growth is steady, not inflated.
Limited supply in many areas means sellers still have the upper hand.

👉 Example: A couple in Atlanta listed their home in August, priced smartly at $489,000. They had two solid offers within a week, even though interest rates were higher than last spring.

For Buyers

More homes are available, especially new builds.
Well-priced homes move quickly, so having pre-approval matters.
Price growth is slowing, giving buyers a chance to catch up.
Buying now builds equity sooner before 2026’s expected appreciation.

👉 Example: A first-time buyer in Dallas snagged a new townhome this September with a builder rate buydown to 5.5%, making the monthly payment affordable and giving them instant equity growth potential.

Looking Ahead: Q4 Optimism

The holidays usually cool things down in real estate, but with Q3 finishing strong, Q4 could surprise.

Mike Oddo, CEO of HouseJet, summed it up well:

“The third quarter’s performance gave us real momentum heading into the final stretch of 2025. Sellers are still seeing strong returns, and buyers are finding opportunities with increased inventory. I’m optimistic that Q4 will not only hold steady but could even outperform expectations. This is still a great time to make your move.”