Many potential buyers lack the savings and strong credit history needed to afford a home, causing them to rent or remain in their existing houses instead of upgrading. Sales in the most expensive Western states declined in September, reversing some of the gains made in August. Because homes are pricier in the West, that pushed down the median price for a new home to $259,000 from $286,800 in the prior month. "There is little evidence that the new single-family housing market is decisively breaking out of its medium-term flat pattern," said Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S.