Housing Activity Slows
Global Housing Markets Cool in August as Summer Buying Season Ends
Anonymous
Key Points
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Alabama’s total value of homes sold reached $2.19 billion in August, up 29.6% from a year earlier but down 10.2% from July. Homes spent an average of 68 days on the market, one day longer than in both July and August 2025.
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The average 30-year mortgage rate in Alabama rose for a sixth consecutive month to 6.67% in August, compared with 6.59% a year earlier and 6.54% in July.
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Charlotte’s top August sale was a 6,800-square-foot, six-bedroom lakefront home in Cornelius with a pool, hot tub, fire pit and private dock. It sold for $4.925 million—below its initial $5.4 million asking price—about two and a half months after listing.
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Singapore’s condo-rent slowdown varied by location: rents rose 0.7% month over month in the Core Central Region and 0.6% in the Rest of Central Region, while rents fell 0.4% in the Outside Central Region. The report attributed the uneven movements partly to tenant selectivity.
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Singapore’s August leasing slowdown coincided with the start of Hungry Ghost Month, which may have led some tenants and landlords to defer property decisions, although analysts said the seasonal effect was only one factor alongside July’s unusually high transaction base.
Housing markets worldwide showed signs of cooling in August as the summer buying season wound down, though many regions remained stronger than a year earlier. WalletHub found that homeownership has become more expensive due to rising housing prices, inventory shortages, and mortgage rates above historic lows. From Canada's slowing housing starts to Singapore's rental slowdown, activity moderated across key markets while prices continued climbing in several regions.
Alabama Homes Fetch Higher Prices Despite Sales Dip
Alabama recorded 6,680 home sales in August, down 9.3% from July but up 10.6% year over year. The median price jumped 18.8% annually to $277,750, while the total value of homes sold hit $2.19 billion—up 29.6% from August a year earlier but down 10.2% from July. Homes lingered on the market for 68 days, one day longer than both July and August of the prior year.
The average 30-year mortgage rate in Alabama rose for the sixth consecutive month, reaching 6.67% in August. This compared with 6.59% a year earlier and 6.54% in July. Listing inventory reached its highest level since late 2018, suggesting more homes were available for buyers despite the sales slowdown.
Netherlands Prices Rise Despite Transaction Declines
Existing-home prices in the Netherlands climbed 3.3% year over year in August, but slipped 0.1% from July. Transaction volume fell nearly 3% annually, signaling a moderation in buyer activity as summer wound down. The data suggested a market transitioning from peak season into a slower autumn and winter period.
Canada's Housing Starts Edge Lower Across Most Provinces
Canada's annualized housing-start pace edged down to 229,046 units in August as declines in Ontario and other provinces offset gains in Quebec and Alberta. The slowdown reflected broader cooling in residential real estate activity across the country. Building permit trends and economic uncertainty appeared to be tempering construction starts.
Singapore Rentals Cool While Luxury Markets Steady Globally
Singapore condominium rental volume fell 13.6% from July's record to an estimated 8,318 units, while rents stayed flat month to month and rose 2.5% annually. Rents rose 0.7% in the Core Central Region and 0.6% in the Rest of Central Region, but fell 0.4% outside central areas due to tenant selectivity. The slowdown partly coincided with Hungry Ghost Month, when some tenants and landlords defer property decisions.
Charlotte's luxury market showed similar cooling. A 6,800-square-foot lakefront home in Cornelius sold for $4.925 million—below its $5.4 million asking price—after two and a half months on the market. Florida's single-family and condominium sales declined modestly, but six consecutive months of annual price gains and tighter inventory suggested a steadier market despite mortgage rates hovering around 6% to 7%.
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