US New Home Sales Slump the Most in 13 Years

New home sales in the United States plunged by 17.6% to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 587,000 units in January of 2026, contrasting sharply with an increase to 720,000.

It was the sharpest decline since 2013 to the lowest rate since 2022.

The slump took place despite the pullback in benchmark mortgage rates, which tested over-three-year lows in the period, partially attributed to aggressive winter storms earlier in the year which prevented home-buyers from going to viewings.

Sales slumped in the Northeast (-44% to 26,000) and the Midwest (-33.9% to 72,000).

In turn, , among the hardest hit by winter storms.

Sales were also lower in the West (-21.6% to 127,000) and the South (-8.1% to 362,000).