Monthly Housing Update and MLS Sales Activity
A comprehensive overview of monthly property sales activity for the Greater Houston area as recorded in the MLS.
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HOUSTON PENDING HOME SALES HIT FOUR-YEAR HIGH IN MAY
Luxury home sales lead the market while inventory stabilizes
HOUSTON — (June 10, 2026) — The Greater Houston housing market delivered a strong signal heading into summer as newly signed purchase contracts climbed to its highest level in four years, reflecting growing demand across the region.
According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ May 2026 Housing Market Update, pending sales of single-family homes climbed 5.8% year over year to 9,172, marking the strongest level of contract activity since May 2022.
The rise in pending sales comes despite a modest decline in closings, indicating that many buyers are still moving forward with purchase plans.
“The increase in contract activity tells us prospective buyers remain confident in our local housing market,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill with Compass RE Texas, LLC - Houston. “People are continuing to make moves for life reasons, and many are finding that today's market offers more flexibility and more choices than we've seen in recent years.”
The luxury segment delivered the strongest performance of any housing category in May. Sales of homes priced at $1 million and above surged 10.1% year over year, helping push the average price up 2.3% to $447,301—its highest level since June 2025. The median home price was essentially unchanged at $340,000.
Housing Market Overview
In May, sales of all property types in the Greater Houston area totaled 10,088, down 3.1% from a year earlier. Total dollar volume declined 1.8%, reaching $4.3 billion.
Active listings increased 0.7% year over year to 57,592 properties, while inventory growth continued to moderate.
Single-Family Homes Update
Single-family home sales eased in May, down 3.2% year over year with 8,631 homes sold. More Houston homebuyers signed contracts in May than in any month since May 2022, with pending sales rising 5.8% year over year to 9,172.
Sales in part are being driven by continuing improvement in housing affordability in Houston. Mortgage rates dropped from 6.82% a year ago to 6.44% in May, according to Freddie Max. Houston homebuyers purchasing a median-priced home saved more than $60 per month in principal and interest than a year ago, assuming a 20% down payment. On a year-over-year basis, Houston affordability has now improved in 19 of the past 22 months, strengthening prospective homebuyers.
The average single-family home price rose 2.3% to $447,301, while the median price was flat at $340,000. The average price per square foot slipped slightly from $180 in May 2025 to $178 this year.
Homes also spent more time on the market, with Days on Market rising from 51 days a year ago to 54.
Active listings increased 2.4% year over year to 37,619 available homes, while months of inventory was flat at 5.1. Nationally, inventory stands at 4.4 months, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Broken out by housing segments, single-family home sales performed as follows:
- $1 - $99,999: decreased 4.8% (99 transactions)
- $100,000 - $149,999: decreased 3.0% (192 transactions)
- $150,000 - $249,999: increased 2.7% (1,548 transactions)
- $250,000 - $499,999: decreased 8.0% (4,761 transactions)
- $500,000 - $999,999: decreased 5.4% (1,548 transactions)
- $1M and above: increased 10.1% (481 transactions)
HAR also reports on existing single-family home sales, which decreased 1.8% year over year in May, with 6,096 closings. The average price increased 2.7% to $469,629, while the median price was virtually unchanged at $345,250.
HAR will publish its May 2026 Rental Market Update on Wednesday, June 17.
For HAR’s Monthly Activity Snapshot (MAS) of the May 2026 trends, please CLICK HERE to access a downloadable PDF file.
Townhome/Condominium Update
The townhome and condominium market posted mixed results in May. Sales declined 4.3% year over year to 464 units, while both average and median prices increased. The average price rose 6.7% to $283,293, and the median price increased 3.6% to $230,000.
Active listings grew 6.0% compared to last year, continuing a trend of expanding housing options across the region.
Houston Real Estate Highlights in May
- Single-family home sales declined 3.2% year over year.
- Pending sales rose 5.8%.
- Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes increased from 51 to 54 days.
- The single-family median price was statistically flat at $340,000.
- The single-family average price increased 2.3% to $447,301.
- Single-family home inventory was unchanged at a 5.1-months supply.
- Total property sales declined 3.1% to 10,088 units sold.
- Total dollar volume decreased 1.8% to $4.3 billion.
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