16 September August 2026 Housing Stats by Kelli Beard Housing Stats 0 0 Comment 24 Maryland Housing Market Loses Momentum in August Pending sales turn negative for the first time in a year as housing supply remains tight. ANNAPOLIS, MD, September 14, 2026—Maryland’s housing market lost momentum in August, with home sales declining from a year ago and pending sales turning negative for the first time in more than a year. At the same time, a continuing shortage of new listings left Maryland buyers with fewer choices and helped keep home prices above last year. A total of 5,582 homes sold in Maryland during August, down 8.5 percent from 6,103 sales in August 2025. The median sales price increased 2.3 percent to $445,000, while the average sales price rose 2.5 percent to $530,442. August follows two considerably stronger months. Maryland sales increased 2.3 percent year over year in June, the first annual increase since January 2025, before finishing essentially even with last year in July, down just 0.1 percent. Pending sales, which had been one of the market’s most consistently positive indicators, also slipped in August. A total of 5,786 homes went under contract, down 1.0 percent from 5,846 in August 2025. It marks the first year-over-year decline in pending sales since July 2025, ending a 12-month streak of year-over-year gains. “Historically, we’ve found comfort in pending sales closely because they have continued to show us that buyers are out there,” said Denise Lewis, 2026 President, Maryland REALTORS®. “August reminds that we can’t take that demand for granted. Buyers need homes to choose from, and Maryland simply isn’t seeing enough properties come onto the market.” That shortage became more pronounced in August. Only 6,249 properties were newly listed during the month, compared with 8,177 a year ago—a decline of 23.6 percent. Active inventory stood at 16,897 homes, 13.7 percent below August 2025. Maryland had approximately three months of housing inventory, compared with 3.5 months a year earlier. The August results stand in contrast to the national inventory picture. Realtor.com reported that active housing inventory nationally increased 3.6 percent from a year earlier in August, while new listings were nearly unchanged, declining just 0.1 percent. Pending listings nationally also softened, declining 0.2 percent after eight consecutive months of year-over-year growth. Maryland’s supply picture is considerably tighter. While active inventory increased nationally, Maryland had 13.7 percent fewer homes available than it did last August. While the number of new listings nationally was essentially unchanged, Maryland experienced a 23.6 percent decline. “Maryland continues to move differently from much of the national housing market,” Lewis said. “Other parts of the country are rebuilding inventory. We’re still trying to get enough homes onto the market. That limits choices for buyers, puts continued pressure on prices and ultimately limits the number of transactions that can take place.” # # # Maryland REALTORS® represents more than 28,000 real estate professionals throughout the state and supports policies that expand housing opportunities, strengthen communities and protect private property rights. Share Comments are closed.