U.S. Pending Home Sales Jump 5.1% in December, Beating Forecasts

Overview

• Signed contracts rose to a 4.35 million annualized pace, far above the 2.2% monthly gain economists expected.
• Pending transactions increased 1.4% from a year earlier, reflecting the first firm year-on-year improvement in months.
• The median price for existing homes reached $405,400, up 0.4% from December 2024 as price appreciation cooled.
• NAR reported December’s seasonally adjusted activity as the strongest in nearly three years, underscoring fourth‑quarter momentum.
• Pending sales capture contract signings and typically foreshadow completed closings in subsequent months.