Real Estate Market

National Real Estate Market Update!

WASHINGTON (January 14, 2026) – Existing-home sales increased by 5.1% in December, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales Report. The Report provides the real estate ecosystem – including agents and homebuyers and sellers – with data on the level of home sales, price, and inventory.

Month-over-month sales increased in all regions. Year-over-year sales increased in the South, remained flat in the Midwest and West, and decreased in the Northeast.

"2025 was another tough year for homebuyers, marked by record-high home prices and historically low home sales,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "However, in the fourth quarter, conditions began improving, with lower mortgage rates and slower home price growth. December home sales, after adjusting for seasonal factors, were the strongest in nearly three years. The gains were broad-based, with all four major regions improving from the prior month."

"Inventory levels remain tight,” Yun added. "With fewer sellers feeling eager to move, homeowners are taking their time deciding when to list or delist their homes. Similar to past years, more inventory is expected to come to market beginning in February."

National Snapshot

Total Existing-Home Sales for December

5.1% increase in existing-home sales1 month over month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.35 million.
1.4% increase in sales year over year.

Inventory in December

1.18 million units: Total housing inventory2, down 18.1% from November and up 3.5% from December 2024 (1.14 million).
3.3-month supply of unsold inventory, down from 4.2 months in November and up from 3.2 months in December 2024.

Median Sales Price in December

$405,400: Median existing-home price3 for all housing types, up 0.4% from one year ago ($403,700) – the 30th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

Single-Family and Condo/Co-op Sales

Single-Family Homes in December

5.1% increase in sales month over month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.95 million, up 1.8% from December 2024.
$409,500: Median home price in December, up 0.2% from last year.

Condominiums and Co-ops in December

5.3% increase in sales month over month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 400,000, down 2.4% from last year.
$364,400: Median price, up 1.5% from December 2024.

Regional Snapshot for Existing-Home Sales in December

Northeast

2.0% increase in sales month over month to an annual rate of 520,000, down 1.9% year over year.
$496,700: Median price, up 3.7% from December 2024.

Midwest

2.0% increase in sales month over month to an annual rate of 1 million, unchanged year over year.
$306,000: Median price, up 3.1% from December 2024.

South

6.9% increase in sales month over month to an annual rate of 2.02 million, up 3.6% year over year.
$360,200: Median price, down 0.3% from December 2024.

West

6.6% increase in sales month over month for an annual rate of 810,000, unchanged year over year.
$605,600: Median price, down 1.4% from December 2024.

Mortgage Rates

6.19%: The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in December, according to Freddie Mac, down from 6.24% in November and 6.72% one year ago.

Why Waiting Until Spring Might Cost You: Strategic Home Selling in Albuquerque

Every seller asks the same question: "When's the best time to list my house?"

Here's the truth for January 2026: The answer isn't spring. It's whenever you're ready—but only if you understand what you're walking into.

The Spring Myth Nobody Talks About

Right now, Albuquerque has approximately 1,650 homes on the market. Come April and May, that number typically jumps by 30-40% as everyone who waited for "perfect timing" lists simultaneously. More homes. More choices for buyers. More competition for your listing.

Here's what most agents won't tell you: The "best" selling season means your beautifully updated home in the Northeast Heights is competing with fifteen others within a half-mile radius. That charming bungalow in Nob Hill? Buyers are comparing it to six similar properties they saw the same weekend. Spring's advantage isn't what it used to be.

Understanding Albuquerque's Market Right Now

The Albuquerque market has evolved significantly from the frenzy of 2021-2023. We're currently in what economists call a "transitioning market"—still favoring sellers, but with important nuances:

Homes are selling in 49-60 days on average (compared to under 30 days during the peak)
The median price sits around $375,000, up modestly from last year but stabilizing
Buyers have negotiating power they didn't have three years ago
Inventory is lower in January than it will be in spring—meaning less competition for you right now

This shift actually creates opportunity for strategic sellers. While buyers have more time to make decisions, properly priced homes with strong marketing still move. The difference? You need a plan that accounts for today's reality, not yesterday's market.

The Real Conversation: Your Timeline, Not The Calendar

Smart sellers work backward from their personal goals, not forward from arbitrary "best months."

Need to relocate for a job at Sandia Labs or Kirtland Air Force Base in May? You should be preparing your home now and listing by late February. That gives you time for proper marketing, negotiations, inspections, and a smooth close—without the pressure of competing spring inventory.

Planning a move after the school year ends? Starting conversations in January means your home hits the market when serious buyers are actively searching, before the May crush when they're overwhelmed with options.

Downsizing after retirement? Winter and early spring buyers in Albuquerque tend to be more serious—they're not just browsing. They're motivated by job relocations, military transfers, or life changes that don't wait for "someday."

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Things to do in January in Albuquerque!

January in Albuquerque isn't about hibernating indoors. While the weather cools down, the city heats up with cultural events, live performances, and sports action that make winter one of the best times to explore your community.

Art & Culture - Brandon Maldonado's solo exhibition "Incantations in Crisis" continues through late January at Lapis Room in Old Town. Maldonado celebrates the historical influences that make New Mexico artistically unique, blending contemporary style with traditional regional aesthetics. The Lapis Room is tucked in the heart of Old Town at 303 Romero St NW.

Free Museum Sundays are back—hit up the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History or the International Balloon Museum from 9am-1pm without spending a dime. Perfect for families looking to beat the winter blahs without breaking the budget.

Live Entertainment - The KiMo Theatre and South Broadway Cultural Center are hosting multiple performances throughout January. Check their calendars for everything from live music to theatrical productions. The historic KiMo alone is worth visiting just for the architecture—it's a stunning piece of Albuquerque history.

Family Fun - Stories and Music in the Sky continues every week at the Albuquerque Balloon Museum. This award-winning program features stories, music, movement, and art for children up to 6 years old. Different themes weekly mean you can visit multiple times without repetition.