October’s increase comes as inflation slows and mortgage rates decline. 

At the same time, the median-sales price declined from August, according to the RE/MAX National Housing Report. 

The latest reading of the National Association of REALTORS® Pending Home Sales Index shows a return to month-over-month growth after a decline in July.    

The 716,000 per-year rate of new-home sales topped the consensus estimate of 700,000. 

The 2.5% decline followed a 1.3% increase in July, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. 

Specifically, prices rose 4.3% annually after growing by 4.7% in June. 

July’s seasonally adjusted annual rate of 739,000 represented a 10.6% jump from June’s upwardly revised rate of 668,000. 

The pace of home sales increased 1.3% from June after months of decreases, the National Association of REALTORS® said.      

The National Association of REALTORS® said its Pending Home Sales Index rose 4.8% month over month. 

This month’s roundup of the 10 most expensive new listings in Seattle includes two houseboats — one in Portage Bay and the other on Lake Union.

Rents in different neighborhoods and areas within the Seattle metro are growing (or slowing) at their own paces.

Washington ranks as the U.S. state with the lowest electricity prices, meaning major savings for Washingtonians.

The record-breaking sales price comes as the pace of transactions slid from April, the National Association of REALTORS® said. 

Agents from Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty are responsible for nearly half of the 10 most expensive new listings in Seattle.

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index has hit a new record for six of the last 12 months, as demand remains strong in the face of tight inventory.

At the same time, the median price of a new home sold in April declined as well.