Are homes selling in Houston?

Greg, you asked this in March 2026, so let me answer with what has actually happened since rather than a forecast, and then give you the Houston-specific piece that eleven answers skipped. On rates, because that is what moves Houston buyers: the 30 year fixed dipped near 6.09 percent in late February 2026, ran up to roughly 6.85 percent mid year, and Freddie Mac had it averaging 6.67 percent as of August 13, 2026. So affordability got worse after you asked, not better. Nationally, newly pending sales in July were up only about 0.3 percent from a year earlier and down 7.7 percent from June. Slower, not frozen. Yes, homes are selling in Houston. They are selling more slowly, with more price reductions, and with buyers who have more choice than they had two years ago. Houston has been carrying heavier inventory than most Sun Belt metros, which shifts leverage toward buyers. Now the part that is specifically Houston and that nobody mentioned: insurance and flood. In Houston, whether a house sells is increasingly a question of what it costs to insure, not what it costs to buy. Windstorm and homeowners premiums across the Gulf Coast have risen sharply, and a buyer underwriting a monthly payment is looking at principal, interest, taxes and insurance together. Texas property tax rates are high because there is no state income tax, so the tax line is already heavy. Add a large insurance premium and a house that looks affordable on price becomes unaffordable on payment. Flood is the other one. Get the FEMA flood zone designation for the specific parcel, find out whether flood insurance will be required by a lender, and get a quote. Buyers in Houston, post-Harvey, also ask directly whether a home has ever flooded, and Texas requires sellers to disclose known prior flooding on the seller's disclosure notice. A house with a flood history and no mitigation sits. A house with documented mitigation, elevation, or a low-risk zone letter moves. So if you are selling: get an insurance quote and the flood zone letter before you list, and put them in the listing package. You are removing the buyer's biggest unknown, and that is worth more right now than a price cut. If you are buying: quote insurance before your option period expires, not after. I am Zoltan Peresztegi, a real estate professional serving the South Bay and greater Los Angeles, where insurance availability has become the same kind of deal-driver it now is on the Gulf Coast. Houston is not my market, so get the local pricing from an agent there, and I am glad to make an introduction. Zoltan

Yes, homes are selling in Houston, but it is more price sensitive than it was a few years ago. The big shift is that buyers have more choices now. That does not mean you cannot get a good price, but it does mean the home needs to be positioned correctly from the start. I would not look at Houston as one giant market. Katy, The Heights, Cypress, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Pearland, and inside the loop can all behave differently. Price range matters too. Some homes still move quickly if they are clean, well priced, and in a strong location. Others sit if sellers are pricing off old peak market expectations. Before deciding whether to sell or wait, I would compare your home to the homes currently active and recently pending in your exact area. That will tell you a lot more than the overall Houston headlines. If you can get the price you need and the next move makes sense, selling can still be a good decision. If your number is based on what the market was a few years ago, you may need to adjust expectations. Austin Moore Austin Moore & Company Real Estate Realtor in Longview, Texas

Yes, homes are still selling in Houston. It’s just slower and more price sensitive now. Homes priced right are moving. Homes priced high are sitting. Buyers have more options and negotiate more than before. If you want a strong price, you need to hit the market correctly from the start.

This is a common question among Florida buyers and sellers, and the answer depends on your specific situation and local market conditions. Understanding the fundamentals before making any decisions protects your investment and your timeline. In Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida, the real estate landscape has its own characteristics that affect how this plays out in practice. The Hernando County market attracts a diverse buyer pool including relocators from higher-cost states, retirees, and local move-up buyers, which creates consistent demand across most price points and property types. The strategic approach is to work with a local agent who can pull current comparable sales data and walk you through the specific factors that apply to your situation in Florida. Every market is different at the neighborhood level, and decisions based on general advice or national headlines often miss the local nuances that matter most to your outcome. Making informed decisions based on local data is always the strongest position. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells

Homes are absolutely still selling in Houston, but it’s shifted into a more balanced market, not the crazy seller’s market we had a few years ago. Buyers have more options and are more price-sensitive, so the days of multiple offers way over list on every decent house are mostly behind us. That said, well-prepped, well-priced homes in good areas are still moving and getting solid numbers, while overpriced or poorly presented homes tend to sit and need price reductions. The real question for you isn’t "Is the market good or bad? " so much as Can your specific home, in your specific area and price range, realistically get a number you feel good about in the next 60–90 days?

Yes homes are selling in Houston, but depending in the exact market you are in determines how much of a challenge it is. Remember that Texas was one of the boom markets during Covid so there was an overpopulation and buildup in a short period of time, leading to higher-than-normal inventory. And do not feel bad about not selling in the past. Remember, when you sell high, 95% of the time you also buy "high" when it comes to primary residences. So, when you sell now, although it might be lower than desired, your new purchase will most likely be lower than the 2022 era. Primary residences just move cash up and down; the true reward is only when you retire and move somewhere at 1/4 the cost. Until then, money just changes hands; up or down.

I am a local Texas agent. I have lived about 45 mins from Houston my entire life. Homes are selling in Houston and it is spring time so sells will increase. April is the best time to put your home on the market. Pricing stratagy is important. Keep in mind that real esate can be hyper sensitive to a specific area or neighborhood.

You’re not imagining it — the Houston market is more balanced than it was a few years ago, so sellers do have more competition now. But that does not mean homes are not selling. According to HAR’s latest Houston-area updates, active listings are up, days on market are longer than last year, and sales were slightly down year over year, yet pending sales have been rising, which tells me buyers are still active — they’re just more selective. What I’m seeing in Texas generally, and Houston specifically, is this: the homes that are priced right, show well, and hit the market with a strong launch strategy are still moving. The homes that are aspirationally priced or look dated online are sitting longer and having to adjust. HAR’s recent Houston numbers show more inventory and more negotiation room than during the ultra-competitive years, but not a dead market. So if you’d only sell for a strong number, I would not make the decision based on headlines alone. I’d look at your specific neighborhood, price band, and competition. In some Houston-area pockets, sellers still do very well. In others, patience and sharper pricing matter more than they used to. That’s the difference between “buyer’s market” in theory and what your house can actually do in real life.

Great question — a lot of homeowners are feeling the same way right now. The Houston market has definitely shifted from the peak a few years ago, but homes are still selling every day across Houston and the surrounding areas. What we’re seeing is that buyers are more selective, so pricing, marketing, and preparation matter more than ever if you want to get the best possible price. Some homes are sitting longer, while others are still getting strong offers depending on location, condition, and strategy. If you’d like, I’m happy to pull some numbers for homes similar to yours so you can see what they’re actually selling for in today’s market. That way you can decide if selling now makes sense or if waiting a bit might be the better move. – Elizabeth Spellman -LPT Realty Serving Houston & surrounding areas

I completely understand the frustration of feeling like you missed a specific market "peak." It is a common feeling for sellers right now, but the best way to move past that is to stop looking at the rearview mirror and start looking at a clear strategy for today. Since I am not in the Houston market, I won't give you local input on your neighborhood—that is exactly why you need a local expert. When you are looking for a "good price" in a shifting market, your strategy is everything. Here is the best way for you to move forward: Hire a Full-Time, Local Professional: You need someone who lives and breathes Houston real estate every single day. They will have the "boots on the ground" data to tell you exactly how your home compares to the current competition and what buyers in your specific zip code are actually doing. Interview Your Team: Selling your home is a major business transaction. I highly recommend interviewing at least two or three full-time agents. Ask them specifically: "What is your proactive plan to find a buyer for my home in today's conditions?" and "How will you help me navigate the current market to reach my goal price?" * Focus on a Plan, Not a Guess: A local pro will help you build a roadmap based on facts, not headlines. This takes the guesswork out of the process and helps you decide if selling now or staying put is truly the best move for you. My Advice: Don't rely on general online info. Connect with a local professional who can give you a no-obligation look at the actual math for your home. I have some amazing professional connections in Houston and would be happy to send you a couple of top-tier, full-time agents to interview so you can find the right match for your goals. Feel free to reach out if you’d like those recommendations! Tricia Jacobs Managing Broker/REALTOR®

Hello Greg, I am in East Texas and the market seems fairly balanced right now. We have moved from a strong sellers to a buyers narjet, now into a more balanced market. I have several listings coming up and things are quite busy. I have actually had my best first quarter in the 10 years I have been selling real estate. There has been a lot of pent up demand, but many buyers have been waiting for interest rates to come down, so it is starting to feel like a good time to list. With spring here, many people are beginning to think about moving this summer. My go to agent in the Houston area is Luwannah Lamas. She is amazing. Let me know if you have any further questions or would like her contact information.

Hi Greg, I'm not in the Houston Area but I have a very good friend, who's a quality agent down there. Her name is Lua Cayabyab, she can help with your question. If you don't get your answer in a couple of days, reach out to me and I should be able to find data on Houston for you. I would just need some details about your home to guide you expertly. Warmly Stacy Corrigan Real Estate Broker RI, Southeastern MA, Northeastern CT