From January to February, nationwide home sales were up 8.4%, according to the latest housing report from RE/MAX.
As winter rolled along in early 2025, many homebuyers and sellers were busy making big moves.
From January to February, home sales across the U.S. were up 8.4%, according to the latest RE/MAX National Housing Report. While the January-to-February sales jump was higher in 2024 (at 17%), this year’s monthly growth still laid the groundwork for momentum heading into March – the time of year that typically sees the highest monthly uptick in sales.
“As is typical heading into the spring market, home sales rose in February, and the market appears to be on the right trajectory to grow as we enter the spring selling season,” says Erik Carlson, CEO of RE/MAX Holdings. “It’s crucial to have abundant inventory for buyers, and we are seeing inventory trend in the right direction.”
To Carlson’s point, the RE/MAX report – which aggregated data from 52 metro areas – showed a 2.9% increase in housing inventory from the month prior. Available housing inventory is a combination of new listings and existing listings that haven’t sold yet.
As the growing inventory trend continues, the total number of homes for sale in February was a whopping 33.9% higher than one year ago. One factor: Home sales were down 2.6% year-over-year, contributing to the buildup of housing stock. This should be welcome news to prospective homebuyers, who have more options to choose from.
How are U.S. home prices looking?
Across the board, home prices generally continue to rise. The median sale price in February was $423,000 – up $3,000 from one month prior and up $13,000 from one year prior.
The nationwide close-to-list price ratio saw annual gains, too. This ratio analyzes if the closing price for a home was more or less than the original list price. In February, the average close-to-list price ratio of the cities surveyed in the RE/MAX report was 99%, up from 98% in January.
As housing activity accelerates ahead of spring, many homebuyers and sellers are ready to enter the market. And the best way to do so is with the guidance of an experienced real estate professional.
“It’s important to remember that real estate is local, with varying trends across different regions. Buyers and sellers should work with trusted advisors who understand their specific markets to navigate these fluctuations effectively,” Carlson says.
Ready to make a move this spring? Connect with a local RE/MAX agent today. RE/MAX agents have helped millions of families buy or sell a home – and they have the experience needed to get the job done in today’s market.
Article originally appeared on RE/MAX.com.
