Home prices saw a slight bump in the fading days of summer, according to the latest results of the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index. The monthly index – based on a quarterly reading of single-family home values across all nine census divisions – found national home prices up 2.1 percent through the end of August, up from 1.9 percent the previous month. Rebecca Kaufman, associate director of commodities at S&P Dow Jones Indices, says the increase was only nominal. “U.S. home prices declined in real terms for the 15th consecutive month in August 2026, though the gap narrowed as nominal home price growth strengthened,” Kaufman said. “The S&P Case-Shiller National Home Price Index rose 2.1 percent year-over-year in August, up from 1.9 percent in July, while consumer prices increased 3.4 percent.” Regionally, the Midwest and Northeast continue to see the strongest gains, with Chicago leading all metros with a 6.7 percent year-over-year gain, while Seattle saw the biggest drop from last year at 2.0 percent. (source)
