# Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House in Texas? (2026 Guide for Home Buyers) By Bond Peter Njoku (@bondpeternjoku) · Published 2026-11-09 Canonical: https://voce.com/@bondpeternjoku/texas-good-time-buy-house-2026-guide-home-buyers-lc7qxr --- ### What’s changed in the Texas market For years, Texas buyers faced bidding wars and fast price jumps. That has cooled. A June 2026 Redfin report named Texas as home to some of the strongest buyer’s markets in the country, with more than twice as many sellers as buyers in some metro areas. In practice, that can mean more homes to choose from, more room to negotiate, and sellers who are more open to helping with closing costs. [homebuyinginstitute](https://homebuyinginstitute.com/mortgage/texas-housing-market-faqs/) Affordability is also improving in places. Houston’s latest affordability report found that 42% of Greater Houston households could afford a median-priced home in the third quarter of 2026. The same report notes that a six-figure income is still needed, so this is better, not easy. [myneighborhoodnews](https://myneighborhoodnews.com/houston-housing-affordability-improves-in-2026-but-harcom-report-shows-six-figure-income-still-needed-to-buy-a-home) ### What the market looks like near you: Royse City, Rockwall, and Garland Texas numbers hide big differences from one city to the next. Here’s how three North Texas markets compare. **Royse City.** Zillow’s most recent figures I found (through February 2026) put the typical Royse City home value near $314,000, down 4.7% over the year, with homes taking about 76 days to go under contract. About 47.7% of sales closed under the list price, which points to room to negotiate. A newer snapshot for ZIP 75189 looks at closed sales instead of estimated values: the median closing price over the prior six months was about $334,900, with current listings asking a median of around $354,000. That gap between asking and closing prices is a good talking point for buyers. [royse city tx +2](https://www.zillow.com/home-values/20262/royse-city-tx) **Rockwall.** As of August 2026, the typical Rockwall home value is about $475,000, down 1.0% from a year earlier, and homes go under contract in about 49 days. Roughly 63% of sales closed below the list price, and Rockwall County as a whole has a lower typical value, around $411,000. [home values +2](https://www.zillow.com/rockwall-tx/home-values/) **Garland.** Garland is the most affordable of the three. The typical home value is about $283,000 as of August 2026, down 3.3% over the year, and homes go under contract in about 28 days, with roughly 800 homes for sale. Homes here move faster than in Royse City or Rockwall, so buyers who are pre-approved have an edge. [zillow](https://www.zillow.com/garland-tx/home-values/) **Property taxes also vary by city.** Census-based estimates show a median of about $5,315 a year in Royse City, about $5,998 in Rockwall, and about $4,265 in Garland. Those are older estimates and your actual bill depends on the home and the taxing districts, so always check the specific property. [Housing in Royse City, TX +2](https://city-stats.com/texas/royse-city/housing) _Local figures come from Zillow, Resideline, and Census-based estimates and may differ from MLS data. Market conditions change often._ ### The rate question Mortgage rates move, and they affect your monthly payment more than most buyers expect. Rates reached their highest average of 2026 at one point, and most economists expect continued volatility. [har](https://www.har.com/web/jericabatchelor/blogs/147059) Here is a simple illustration (principal and interest only, not including taxes or insurance). On a $300,000 loan: - At 6.0%, the payment is about $1,799 per month. - At 6.5%, the payment is about $1,896 per month. That half-point difference is roughly $98 a month, or nearly $1,200 a year. This is why it’s worth comparing offers and asking about ways to lower your rate. ### Waiting for rates to drop: what to consider Many buyers ask whether they should wait. Nobody can predict rates reliably. If you buy now and rates fall later, you may be able to refinance. If you wait and rates rise or prices climb, you could pay more. The better question is whether the payment fits comfortably in your budget today. ### Ways Texas buyers are lowering the cost - **Rate buydowns.** Builders have responded by buying down mortgage rates. A buydown lowers your rate for a set period, or for the life of the loan, in exchange for an upfront cost. [builderonline](https://www.builderonline.com/data-analysis/texas-housing-heads-into-2026-with-momentum-and-meaningful-volatility) - **Seller concessions.** In a market with more inventory, you may be able to negotiate for the seller to cover part of your closing costs. - **Down payment assistance.** Texas has programs for qualifying buyers, and some loans, like FHA, VA, and certain conventional options, allow low down payments. ### Don’t forget the full monthly cost Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are significant. Add homeowners insurance and any HOA, MUD, or PID fees, and the real monthly cost can be well above the loan payment alone. Ask for a full estimate before you fall in love with a house. ### How to know if you’re ready 1. Check your credit and your debt-to-income ratio. 2. Decide on a monthly payment you’re comfortable with, not just the maximum you qualify for. 3. Get pre-approved so you know your real budget and can move quickly. 4. Compare your options on rate, fees, and loan type. ### Talk to a Texas mortgage professional Every buyer’s situation is different. If you’d like to see what you could qualify for, or how a buydown or assistance program might change your payment, I’m happy to walk you through it with no pressure. **Bond Peter Njoku** Licensed Mortgage Loan Officer | NMLS #2670329 Mortgage Funding Solutions | Company NMLS #1972934 Cell: 469-434-0251 | Office: 469-929-6075 1919 S. Shiloh Rd., Suite 518, Garland, TX 75042 [www.mfsolu.com](http://www.mfsolu.com) | [www.bondmortgagesolutions.com](http://www.bondmortgagesolutions.com) _This article is for general information only and is not a commitment to lend. Rates, programs, and eligibility vary and are subject to credit approval. Market figures were current as of November 2026._