Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways Texas home prices continue climbing despite affordability concerns, with median prices up 8.2% year-over-year Inventory remains tight statewide, creating competitive conditions for traditional buyers Days on market averaging 42 days, faster than national average but slower than 2021-2022 peak Major metros showing different patterns - Austin cooling while Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth stay hot

Texas Real Estate Market Report 2026: What Uncle Charles Is Seeing in the Lone Star State

Look, I've been watching the Texas real estate market for decades, and let me tell you - 2026 is shaping up to be one interesting year. As someone who deals with properties in all 50 states through HOMESELL USA, I see both sides of this market. The pretty houses that sell fast, and the problem properties that nobody else wants to touch.

Today I want to give you the straight talk on what's happening in Texas real estate right now. Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or you're sitting on a property that's giving you headaches, here's what you need to know about the Lone Star State's housing market.

The Big Picture: Texas Housing Prices Keep Climbing

Here's the deal - Texas home prices are still going up, even when folks thought they might level off. As of February 2026, the median home price across Texas sits at around $342,000, which is up 8.2% from this time last year. Now, that might not sound as crazy as the 15-20% jumps we saw in 2021 and 2022, but it's still significant growth.

I had a homeowner call me last week from Plano who bought his house for $180,000 back in 2018. Today, similar homes in his neighborhood are selling for over $350,000. That's the kind of appreciation we're still seeing across much of Texas, especially in the major metro areas.

But here's what the fancy market reports don't always tell you - this price growth isn't happening evenly across the state. Some areas are absolutely on fire, while others are starting to cool down a bit.

Breaking Down the Major Texas Markets

Austin: The Cool-Down Continues

Austin's been the poster child for crazy Texas real estate growth, but 2026 is showing us a different story. The median home price is still high - we're talking around $485,000 - but the rate of growth has slowed significantly. Days on market have increased to about 52 days, compared to the 25-30 days we were seeing during the peak frenzy.

What does this mean for regular folks? If you're a buyer in Austin, you've got a little more breathing room. If you're a seller, you can't just slap any price on your house and expect multiple offers anymore.

Dallas-Fort Worth: Still Hot as Texas in July

The DFW metroplex continues to be one of the strongest markets in the state. Median prices are hovering around $375,000, and homes are still moving fast - averaging about 38 days on market. The job growth in this area keeps feeding demand, and frankly, I don't see it slowing down anytime soon.

Houston: Energy Sector Driving Demand

Houston's market is interesting because it's always been a bit more affordable than Austin or Dallas, but that's changing. We're seeing median prices around $295,000 now, up about 9.1% year-over-year. The energy sector recovery has brought a lot of people back to the area, and that's putting pressure on housing inventory.

San Antonio: The Steady Eddie

San Antonio continues to be one of the more affordable major markets in Texas, with median prices around $265,000. But don't let that fool you - homes are still selling fast here, averaging about 41 days on market.

Inventory: Still Not Enough Houses to Go Around

This is where things get real interesting, and where my business at HOMESELL USA comes into play. Statewide, we're sitting at about 2.8 months of housing inventory, which is still well below the 6 months that economists consider a balanced market.

What this means is that good, move-in-ready houses are still getting snapped up quickly. But here's what I'm seeing that others might miss - there are plenty of properties out there that aren't making it to the traditional market. Houses with title issues, properties that need major repairs, homes in probate, or situations where owners just need to sell fast.

I've seen this pattern a hundred times. When the pretty houses are scarce and expensive, the properties with problems become more important. That's where companies like HOMESELL USA fill a crucial gap in the market.

Days on Market: What the Numbers Really Mean

Across Texas, the average days on market sits at about 42 days as of February 2026. That's faster than the national average of 47 days, but slower than the lightning-fast 20-25 days we saw during the peak market.

But let me tell you what those numbers don't capture. A well-priced, move-in-ready house in a good neighborhood? That might still sell in 15 days. But a house that needs work, has some title complications, or the seller is in a tough situation? That might sit on the market for months, getting more shopworn by the day.

That's exactly why we exist. Sometimes the traditional market just isn't the right fit, and folks need an alternative that can close fast without all the usual hassles.

Buyer Demand: Still Strong But More Selective

Buyers are still out there, but they've gotten pickier. The days of bidding wars on every property are mostly behind us, except in the most desirable areas and price points.

What I'm hearing from people is that affordability is becoming a real issue. With mortgage rates fluctuating and prices still high, a lot of potential buyers are getting priced out or choosing to wait. This creates an interesting dynamic where demand is strong at certain price points but softer at others.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for Texas Property Owners

Whether you sell to us or someone else, here's what you need to know about the Texas market right now:

If you've got a house in good condition in a desirable area, you're probably still in a strong position. The market hasn't crashed, and good properties are still moving.

But if you're dealing with a problem property - maybe it needs major repairs, you're facing foreclosure, dealing with an inherited house, or you just need to sell quickly - the traditional market might not be your best option.

I've been doing this long enough to know that every property situation is different. Some folks have the time and money to fix things up and list traditionally. Others need to sell now, as-is, without the headaches.

The Bottom Line

The Texas real estate market in 2026 is still strong, but it's more nuanced than the wild growth we saw a few years back. Prices are still going up, inventory is still tight, and good properties still sell reasonably fast.

But for every success story in the traditional market, there are property owners dealing with situations that don't fit the typical buying and selling process. That's where having options becomes crucial.

At HOMESELL USA, we've helped thousands of Texas property owners navigate everything from foreclosure situations to inherited properties to houses that just need too much work for the traditional market. We buy in all 50 states, but Texas has always been special to us - it's where we see some of the most diverse property situations and the most resilient property owners.

If any of this sounds like your situation, give Uncle Charles a call. No pressure, no judgment - just straight answers about your options in today's Texas real estate market.

Frequently Asked Questions