Casora Realty

09/03/2026

Texas Ranks Among Top Remodel-Activity States

09/02/2026

Austin Luxury Asking Prices Slide

09/01/2026

Should New Agents Join a Real Estate Team?
Let’s connect and talk about the latest insights in the industry!

08/31/2026

Texas Draws $4.8B in International Home Buys

08/27/2026

US Home Prices Rose in Q2
Home prices across the country continued their upward trend in Q2 2026, with buyers remaining active even as affordability shifted. Out of 230 metro areas, 184 saw price increases, pushing the national single-family median to $434,900—a 1.5% rise from last year. Regionally, the Northeast saw the strongest growth with a 3.8% increase to $547,200, closely followed by the Midwest at 3.6% ($340,800). The South, where I serve clients in cities like Austin, Dallas, and Laredo, posted a 1% gain to $380,000, reflecting the region’s ongoing job growth and demand. The West was the only region with a slight dip, down 0.8% to $637,900.

Sales activity picked up in three out of four regions, with the South leading the way thanks to robust employment gains. Meanwhile, the Northeast’s price appreciation outpaced its hiring. On the affordability front, the typical monthly mortgage payment landed at $2,199—up $219 from the previous quarter, but down $52 from a year ago. Families are now allocating about 23.8% of their income to mortgages, up from 21.8% last quarter. Interestingly, while starter-home prices fell compared to last year, the payments on those homes rose by $214 this quarter, highlighting the ongoing pressure on first-time buyers.

After nearly two decades guiding clients in Texas markets, I’ve seen how these national and regional trends play out locally. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest, understanding these shifts is key to making well-informed decisions.

08/26/2026

US Buyers Gain Slight Affordability Relief
After several challenging years in the market, we’re finally seeing a bit of relief for homebuyers across the US: affordability has stabilized, and the typical household’s income growth has started to outpace housing costs. This means that, while the gap is still there, it’s a little easier for families to work with their purchase budgets, and a greater portion of listings are now within reach for those earning the median income. Compared to last year, housing expenses are taking up less of buyers’ income, and there’s a noticeable increase in options and negotiating leverage in many areas—conditions that resemble a true buyer’s market. As someone who’s navigated these cycles for nearly two decades throughout Texas—from Austin to Dallas and beyond—I know how important these shifts can be for planning your next move. Economists are cautiously optimistic that affordability could keep improving by year’s end, though we’ll be watching interest rates, oil prices, and inflation closely, as any of those could shift the balance again.

08/25/2026

How much is your Home Worth?
Find out if it's time to sell your home

Find out what your home is really worth. Get a free, personalized home evaluation based on local market data from Luis Plascencia.

08/24/2026

Welcome to Casora Realty!

08/24/2026

U.S. Home Affordability Income Stays Near $110K

08/22/2026

Best Homes Under $1M
Get a FREE list of best properties under $1M with a basement suite.

Get a personalized list of homes under $1M in Round Rock, Texas, curated by local real estate expert Luis Plascencia.