January homes sales tank more than 8%, as Realtors say potential buyers are 'struggling'

Prospective buyers arrive during an open house at a home in Seattle, Washington, US, on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.High home prices, faltering supply and weaker consumer confidence in the economy all continue to weigh on the U.S. housing market. Sales of previously owned homes in January dropped a wider-than-expected 8.4% from December to a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of 3.91 million, according to the National Association of Realtors.  Sales were 4.4% lower than January 2025. That is the slowest pace si ...