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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MORE LISTINGS, STEADY DEMAND ACROSS HOUSTON IN JULY
Home sales rise as inventory reaches a record high
HOUSTON — (August 12, 2026) — Homebuyers in the Greater Houston area had more properties to choose from in July than ever before. Even with inventory at an all-time high, buyers remained active and the market continued to move at a healthy pace.
According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ July 2026 Housing Market Update, single-family home sales rose 1.6% year over year, with 8,340 homes sold compared to 8,212 in July 2025.
Active listings reached 40,750 available homes in July, the highest level ever recorded by HAR, up 3.4% from a year earlier.
Home prices remained stable in July. The average price rose 1.9% to $440,816, while the median price edged up by 0.6% to $340,000 when compared to a year ago.
“We’re seeing a more balanced market take shape across Houston,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill with Compass RE Texas, LLC - Houston. “For buyers, that means more opportunities and more flexibility than they've had in quite some time. That's a positive shift and one that could benefit both buyers and sellers as the year moves forward.”
Houston homebuyers benefited from continued improvements in housing affordability in July. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate declined to 6.54% from 6.72% a year earlier. For a buyer purchasing a median-priced home in Houston with a 20% down payment, that translated to an estimated savings of more than $250 per year in principal and interest compared to July 2025.
Houston's affordability has improved on a year-over-year basis in 21 of the past 24 months, outpacing the national trend, where affordability improved in just 15 of the past 24 months.
Housing Market Overview
In July, the Greater Houston housing market posted solid gains across key indicators. Sales of all property types totaled 9,669, which is flat year over year. Total dollar volume increased 3.4% to $4.1 billion.
Single-Family Homes Update
The single-family housing market experienced steady demand in July. Sales rose 1.6% year over year to 8,340 homes. Single-family home sales in the last 12 months totaled 89,367, up 2.5% from a year ago. When compared to the 12-months ending July 2019 (the last normal period prior to the pandemic), Houston sales have returned to normal market volumes. In comparison, the National Association of Realtors reported single-family sales in the 12-months ending July 2026 were 20.1% less than the same period ending July 2019, indicating a national market struggling to return to normal, according to HAR Chief Economist Dr. Ted C. Jones.
Pending sales climbed 2.6% to 8,215, a sign that buyers remain engaged despite a growing selection of homes on the market.
Active listings of single-family homes climbed 3.4% year over year to 40,750 homes, helping push months of inventory to 5.5 months. Nationwide, inventory sits at a 4.6 months supply, according to NAR.
Homes spent an average of 53 days on the market compared to 50 days a year ago.
Broken out by housing segments, single-family home sales performed as follows:
- $1 - $99,999: increased 4.2% (100 transactions)
- $100,000 - $149,999: decreased 11.5% (170 transactions)
- $150,000 - $249,999: decreased 0.7% (1,414 transactions)
- $250,000 - $499,999: increased 0.4% (4,690 transactions)
- $500,000 - $999,999: increased 1.0% (1,560 transactions)
- $1M and above: increased 9.4% (407 transactions)
HAR also reports on existing single-family home sales, which rose 4.6% year over year in July, with 6,121 closings. The average price increased 2.1% to $453,435, while the median price was up 1.5% to $345,000.
HAR will publish its July 2026 Rental Market Update on Wednesday, August 19.
For HAR’s Monthly Activity Snapshot (MAS) of the July 2026 trends, please CLICK HERE to access a downloadable PDF file.
Townhome/Condominium Update
The townhome and condominium segment continued to offer buyers more opportunities as inventory expanded. Sales totaled 425 transactions in July, down 9% from a year earlier.
The average price declined 2.4% to $260,987, and the median price fell 3.7% to $211,000. Active listings increased 4.6% to 3,631 units, and months of inventory expanded to 9.1 months.
Houston Real Estate Highlights in July
- Single-family home sales increased 1.6% year over year.
- Pending sales rose 2.6%.
- Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes increased from 50 to 53 days.
- The single-family median price was up 0.6% to $340,000.
- The single-family average price increased 1.9% to $440,816.
- Single-family home inventory expanded to a 5.5-months supply.
- Total property sales were flat with 9,669 units sold.
- Total dollar volume increased 3.4% to $4.1 billion.
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