Sales of new single-family homes in the US jumped by 6.4% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of 684,000 in August of 2026. It was the highest level of sales since the start of the year, ahead of market expectations of 620,000, even though the risk of a hawkish Federal Reserve in the period lifted mortgage rates. Sales surged in the Midwest (84.9% to 98,000) and edged higher in the South (6.9% to 451,000). These were enough to offset declines in the Northeast (-36.1% to 23,000) and the West (-15.2% to 11,200). The outstanding supply of new houses was unchanged at 483,000, equivalent to 8.5 months of supply at the latest sales rate. Meanwhile, the median sales price inched higher to $393,700.