Existing-home sales exceeded Goldman Sachs' expectations in February, with sales increasing by 1.7% to 4.09 million units. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that these sales, which account for over 90% of U.S. housing sales, are crucial to understanding how the national real estate market is performing. Goldman Sachs had predicted a 0.5% increase in February. However, the company underestimated February's increase. The NAR's Housing Affordability Index shows that a typical family can afford a mortgage, both nationally and regionally, with the West experiencing the highest affordability increase at 17%. The balance between supply and demand is improving, according to Goldman Sachs. Despite this, the NAR warns that prices could increase over time rather than decrease.