National Association of Realtors issues this monthly report tracking sales of existing homes. It is released around the 25th of each month. The comparisons can be month-to-month, or for a particular month from year to year, or for a particular year versus a previous year, as a trend. Robust trends and increases in the comparison are interpreted as positive economic growth and an optimistic, better spending consumer. It is a housing-market industry gauge of demand. Contrast to New Home Sales.
