08/13/2026
π¨ HONEST 2026 EAST TEXAS HOUSING MARKET UPDATE π¨
Letβs talk about the truth.
The housing market is not dead, but it is adjusting.
According to the latest GTAR data, our local market had 3,274 active residential listings, 5.67 months of inventory, and an average of 71 days on market. At the same time, 577 properties closed, an increase of more than 29% from the previous year.
Homes are still selling, but buyers have more options, more time, and more negotiating power.
For sellers, pricing and presentation matter more than ever. Buyers are carefully comparing condition, monthly payments, taxes, insurance, and potential repair costs. A successful sale may require patience, realistic expectations, and a willingness to negotiate.
For buyers, there are opportunities we rarely saw a few years ago. More inventory means less pressure and a greater possibility of negotiating repairs, closing cost assistance, or a rate buydown.
Affordability, however, remains the greatest challenge. Nationally, first time buyers recently represented only 21% of purchases, the lowest share ever recorded by NAR. At the same time, 26% of buyers paid cash, the highest share on record.
Plenty of people still want to own a home. Many are simply being held back by the upfront expenses and total monthly payment.
The positive news is that prepared buyers may have more leverage than they have had in years, realistic sellers are still making successful moves, and those who are not ready today can begin preparing for the future.
This is not a market for panic or pressure. It is a market for preparation, strategy, patience, and honest conversations.
If you are considering buying or selling now or sometime in the future, I am always available for an honest, no pressure conversation about your options.