In a startling turn of events, pending home sales in the United States saw a dramatic decline of 9.3% in December 2025, according to the latest data released on January 21, 2026. This significant downturn follows a moderate increase of 3.3% recorded in November 2025, highlighting growing volatility in the housing market.
The month-over-month decline in December points towards increasing challenges in the U.S. housing sector, potentially stemming from various economic uncertainties and fluctuations in buyer confidence. Analysts observing these trends note that the December figures mark a significant shift from the positive momentum seen in the previous month.
Economic experts suggest that the larger economic environment, including issues such as rising interest rates and inflationary pressures, may be contributing factors to this downturn. These elements could be impacting consumers' ability to secure mortgages, thus slowing the pace of pending home sales. As market observers analyze these changes, the housing sector will be closely watched for further indications of longer-term trends.