When we look at home prices, the median doesn’t always tell the whole story. In Q2 2026, the median price for a new single-family home in the US was $410,700, while existing homes reached a median of $435,700—a $25,000 difference. This was the largest national gap we’ve seen, continuing a trend that started back in Q2 2024, when existing-home prices began to surpass new construction.
What’s behind this shift? Many homeowners with low pandemic-era mortgage rates chose to stay put, tightening supply. Meanwhile, builders responded by offering smaller lots, cozier homes, and various incentives to attract buyers. Still, this national gap doesn’t reflect every local market. Regional factors, home styles, lot sizes, and rising construction costs all play a role in shaping what buyers and sellers see on the ground.
By Q2 2026, new-home prices had dipped about 1% compared to the previous year, while existing-home prices continued to rise—though at a slower pace, up around 2% after three years of steady gains.
As someone who has guided Northeast Atlanta families through ups and downs in the real estate market since 1985, I know how important it is to look beyond the headlines. Every neighborhood tells its own story. My mission is to help you navigate these trends so you can make confident, well-informed decisions about your next move.
Leave a Reply