Sales of existing homes sunk 17.8 percent in April, the first full month of lockdowns to stop the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, according to industry data released Thursday.

A home displays a "For Sale" sign amid the coronavirus pandemic on May 18, 2020 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo: AFP)

The sales figures from National Association of Realtors was in line with analysts' forecasts and the second straight month of decreases, putting sales at the lowest in nearly a decade.

Sales declined in all parts of the country with western states posting the biggest drops.