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 HOMEBUYING ACTIVITY EASES IN SEPTEMBER AS MORTGAGE RATES RISE
Home prices remain steady as buyers navigate elevated mortgage rates
HOUSTON — (October 14, 2026) — As Houston’s housing market moved into the fall season, homebuying activity eased compared to a year ago as buyers faced mortgage rates greater than 7%. Despite higher borrowing costs, home prices remained steady.
According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ September 2026 Housing Market Update, 7,030 single-family homes were sold, down 5.7% from a year earlier.
The average home price edged up by 0.7% to $421,311. The median price, which represents the midpoint of all homes sold, was essentially unchanged at $325,000.
Buyers had more choices than they did a year ago. There were 40,192 homes for sale across the Greater Houston area in September, up 6.3% from a year earlier.
“Higher mortgage rates are making buyers look more closely at what they can comfortably afford,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill with Compass RE Texas, LLC - Houston. “People are taking a little more time, weighing their options and focusing on long-term affordability. Stable prices and a broad selection of homes are helping keep opportunities within reach.”
Conventional 30-year residential mortgage rates averaged 6.86% in September according to Freddie Mac, up from 6.35% a year ago. Assuming a 20% down payment, buyers of median-priced homes in the Houston area saw monthly principal and interest payments rise from $1,622.29 a year ago to $1,705.41 in September. That’s up $83.12 monthly or $997.40 annually.
On a weekly basis, Freddie Mac reported average mortgage rates for September rising from 6.71% initially to 6.76%, then 6.95% and rising to 7.03% the final week of the month. Rates in the first two weeks of October continued to climb to 7.28% and then 7.40%, respectively.
Housing Market Overview
Across all property types, 8,181 properties were sold in September, down 6.4% from a year ago. Total dollar volume reached $3.45 billion, which is down 2.1% from the same time last year. Active listings across all property types rose 5.0% to 62,002 available properties.
Single-Family Homes Update
In September, single-family home sales totaled 7,030, down 5.7% compared to a year ago.
The average sales price rose from $418,256 to $421,311. The median price edged down from $325,990 to $325,000.
Inventory expanded from 5.1 months to 5.5 months. Nationwide, there was a 4.8 months supply, according to the National Association of Realtors. Homes took an average of 58 days to sell, compared with 56 days a year ago.
Pending listings, which represent homes under contract but not yet closed, declined 11.6% to 6,789. This suggests some buyers are taking more time before committing to a purchase.
Broken out by housing segments, single-family home sales performed as follows:
- $1 - $99,999: increased 3.7% (111 transactions)
- $100,000 - $149,999: increased 5.6% (188 transactions)
- $150,000 - $249,999: decreased 8.4% (1,359 transactions)
- $250,000 - $499,999: decreased 5.7% (3,878 transactions)
- $500,000 - $999,999: increased 0.6% (1,189 transactions)
- $1M and above: decreased 8.2% (304 transactions)
HAR also reports on existing single-family home sales, which held steady compared to last September with 5,062 closings. The average price declined 1.1% to $427,110, while the median price was unchanged at $325,000.
HAR will publish its September 2026 Rental Market Update on Wednesday, October 21.
For HAR’s Monthly Activity Snapshot (MAS) of the September 2026 trends, please CLICK HERE to access a downloadable PDF file.
Townhome/Condominium Update
The townhome and condominium market faced stronger headwinds in September. Sales declined 21.0% from a year ago, with 323 properties sold.
The average sales price decreased 4.6% to $261,052. The median price fell 9.1% to $209,000.
Active listings rose 6.9% to 3,609 available properties. Inventory rose from 8.0 months to 9.3 months. Pending sales declined 15.9%, from 440 to 370.
Houston Real Estate Highlights in September
• Single-family home sales decreased 5.7% year over year.
• Pending sales declined 11.6% to 6,789.
• Active listings increased 6.3% to 40,192 homes.
• Days on Market for single-family homes increased from 56 to 58 days.
• The single-family average price increased 0.7% to $421,311.
• The single-family median price remained essentially unchanged at $325,000.
• Inventory expanded from 5.1 months to 5.5 months.
• Total property sales declined 6.4% with 8,181 transactions.
• Total dollar volume decreased 2.1% to $3.45 billion.
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