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Tag: Houston Association of Realtors

  • Sellers hesitate in Houston while pending-home sales slip – Houston Agent Magazine

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    New listings declined 1% year over year in Houston during the week ending Feb. 16, according to the Weekly Activity Snapshot from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    Realtors helped sellers add 3,344 listings to the market, down from 3,378 new listings during the same week in 2025.

    Amid that annual drop in seller activity, buyers sat tight as well, with pending and closed home sales decreasing 8.6% and 0.5%, respectively.

    However, consumer interest in the market remained stronger than year-ago levels: Property showings increased 6.4% year over year, with over 41,000 showings during the week, while open houses increased 8% year over year, with 8,967 in-person and virtual events held.

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    Emily Marek

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  • HAR: Choices increase for Houston homebuyers as sellers adjust to balancing market – Houston Agent Magazine

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    The Houston housing market showed encouraging signs of balance in January including expanded inventory and steady buyer demand, according to the latest monthly Housing Report from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    Active listings increased 15.7% year over year, with 54,589 properties on the market during the month. Closings fell 1% year over year, with 4,999 homes sold — the fewest transactions since January 2023.

    However, pending sales increased 8.5%, with 6,813 listings going under contract, indicating strong sales in the coming weeks.

    Days on market increased to 66, up five days from a year prior. That was the highest average since February 2020, when homes spent an average of 68 days on the market.

    Prices fluctuated, with the median decreasing 0.9% to $233,045 and the average increasing 2.8% to $416,722. Luxury home sales — those with a price tag of $1 million or more — increased 15.5% year over year.

    “Right now, buyers have more choices and a bit more time to make decisions, while sellers are adjusting to a market that’s becoming balanced,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill. “With rates expected to ease a little this year, buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines may start to feel more confident and enter the market. That should help maintain demand and create additional opportunities for sellers throughout the year.”

    Given the rate of sales, Houston had a 4.7-month inventory, up from 4.2 months a year prior.

    Decreased mortgage rates and median prices meant improved affordability for homebuyers last month. Assuming a 20% down payment, the typical Houston homebuyer in January needed to spend $1,561.26 per month, down from $1,722.81 in January 2025. That amounts to about $2,000 less annually.

    January was the 15th of the last 18 months with improved housing affordability.

    Looking only at existing-home sales, closings decreased by just 10 sales annually, with 3,422 homes sold in January. The average sales price increased 3.8% to $428,152, while the median was steady at $320,000.

    Among for-sale townhomes and condominiums, sales dropped 25.9% last month, with 269 units sold. The average price decreased 8.6% to $226,343, while the median fell 11.9% to $185,000. That was the lowest level since February 2021.

    Townhome and condo inventory hit a 7.6-month supply, up from 5.5 months in January 2025.

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    Emily Marek

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  • The most-loved communities in greater Houston – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Greater Houston homebuyers are falling in love with communities that offer pockets of affordability, according to a ranking from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    The association ranked the Houston-area neighborhoods with the greatest annual increase in transactions to determine which neighborhoods grew most in popularity among homebuyers in 2025 and found that seven of the top 10 had average home prices below the area median average of $416,722.

    Transactions increased most in Brookshire, where sales were up 124.6% year over year and had an average sales price of $311,463; followed by Waller, up 113.5% year over year with an average of $317,113; and the Crosby area, up 68.8% year over year with an average of $273,880.

    One outlier on HAR’s list was the New Waverly area, where transactions increased 43.3% year over year. The community had an average sales price of $479,768, making it about $60,000 more expensive than the Houston average.

    The two other communities on the list with above-average prices were Royden Oaks/Afton Oaks, where sales rose 40% year over year with an average sales price of over $1.6 million, and Rosharon, where sales rose 32.4% with an average sales price of $440,435.

    Chart courtesy of HAR.

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    Emily Marek

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  • Home sales are heating up in these greater Houston ZIP codes – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Nearly all of the top ZIP Codes for greater Houston home sales are in the suburbs and beyond, according to the Q4 2025 ZIP Watch from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    The association tracked the top 10 ZIP codes with the greatest year-over-year increases in home sales and found that 77484 — Waller — was the hottest in the entire Houston metro area, with home sales increasing 102.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. The typical home there had an average sales price of $310,165 and spent 55 days on the market.

    That ZIP was followed by 77532 (Crosby), where sales increased 79.1% year over year with an average sales price of $260,629; 77521 (Baytown), where sales increased 77.5% with an average sales price of $266,675; and 77554 (the west end of Galveston Island), where sales increased 52% with an average sales price of $784,120. That ZIP was one of only three on HAR’s list with an average sales price greater than the Houston metro average, reported by the association as $425,535 for the fourth quarter.

    Also on HAR’s list were 77551 (Galveston), 77065 (northwest Houston/Jersey Village), 77578 (Manvel), 77510 (Santa Fe), 77336 (Huffman) and 77316 (Montgomery).

    The top 10 hottest ZIP codes in greater Houston (Chart courtesy of HAR).

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    Emily Marek

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  • New listings, property showings rise in Houston while home sales dip – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Houston-area Realtors added 3,436 properties to the MLS during the week ending Feb. 2, a 4.3% year-over-year increase, according to the Weekly Activity Snapshot from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    At the same time, closed and pending home sales declined annually. Pending sales decreased 16.1% year over year, with 1,732 listings going under contract; closings fell 3.4%, with 1,537 home sales.

    Property showings and open houses increased, however. Realtors assisted clients with 43,206 showings, up from 37,205 during the same week in 2025. Open houses, meanwhile, increased 12% year over year to 9,395, up from 8,407 a year prior.

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    Emily Marek

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  • Affordability improves in Houston as 44% of households can afford homeownership – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Improved mortgage rates and softening home prices meant that close to half of Houston-area households could afford a median-priced home at the end of 2025, according to the quarterly Housing and Rental Affordability Report from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    As mortgage rates fell to 6.23%, the median home price decreased 0.9% year over year to $337,200 during the fourth quarter. Given those numbers, the typical monthly homeownership cost — including mortgage payment, principal, taxes and insurance — was $2,280, down from $2,490 a year prior.

    Houston households needed an annual salary of $91,200 to afford those monthly costs, down 3.4% year over year. That meant that 44% of households could afford homeownership, up from 40% in Q4 2024.

    “After a challenging few years for buyers, we’re starting to see affordability move in the right direction,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill. “If these trends continue, we could see even more opportunities open up for buyers as we move through 2026.”

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    Emily Marek

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  • René Galvan succeeds Bob Hale as president, CEO of HAR – Houston Agent Magazine

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    René Galvan was appointed president and CEO of the Houston Association of REALTORS®, replacing longtime leader Bob Hale.

    Hale retired on Jan. 31 after 37 years as president and CEO. He first joined HAR leadership in 1996 and was a founder of HAR.com alongside Galvan, who has served as executive vice president of the organization since 1998.

    Galvan is a certified public accountant with a degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He was named on the Swanepoel 200 Watchlist and serves on boards including the American Society of Association Executives, the Finance Committee of the National Association of REALTORS® and the Public Policy Committee of Texas REALTORS®.

    “As president and CEO, my priority is to continue strengthening our services, tools and support that our 50,000 members rely on in this rapidly changing real estate environment,” Galvan said in a press release.

    Hale was named CEO Emeritus, an honorary title that recognizes exceptional service for former officers.

    “This organization has been my life’s work,” Hale said. “I am proud of what we’ve built together and confident that HAR is in excellent hands with René Galvan as president and CEO.”

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    Emily Marek

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  • Why Houston’s housing story is different – Houston Agent Magazine

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    If you’ve seen the national headlines lately, you might be confused about what’s actually happening in the housing market. Just in the last week, I’ve seen headlines that say sales are sluggish and there’s a shortage of inventory, while others suggest big changes are coming. 

    Here’s the good news: Houston is doing just fine.

    As a Realtor and chair of the Houston Association of REALTORS®, I spend a lot of time looking at the data — but I also spend a lot of time talking with buyers, sellers, renters, fellow agents and industry leaders. And what I’m seeing as 2026 gets underway is a Houston housing market that’s active, resilient and settling into a much healthier rhythm.

    While some parts of the country are still lagging, Houston has returned to pre-pandemic housing conditions. In fact, more homes were sold last year than in 2019 — the last truly “normal” year before everything changed. Economists expect that steady growth to continue this year.

    So when you hear talk of a sluggish market nationwide, just remember: real estate is local. We are in a good spot, especially as the market finally feels balanced.

    Yes, buyers have more leverage than they’ve had in more than a decade. Inventory reached record levels in 2025 and remains robust, giving buyers more choices (and a little more breathing room) than we’ve seen in years. Home prices have largely leveled off and mortgage rates have eased compared to their recent peaks. All of that adds up to more purchasing power.

    At the same time, sellers aren’t being left behind. More buyers are re-entering the market as rates come down, and demand remains solid. Some sellers are making modest price adjustments, but many homes are still receiving strong offers. This isn’t a market where one side “wins” and the other loses — it’s one where both buyers and sellers can succeed with the right strategy.

    The data backs this up. According to the latest HAR housing report:

    • Home sales increased 3.8% in 2025, with 88,634 homes sold.
    • Days on market for single-family homes edged up slightly, from 59 to 64 days.
    • The median single-family home price held steady year-over-year at $335,000, a welcome pause after years of rapid growth.
    • The average price rose just 0.8%, to $425,535.
    • Months of inventory expanded to 4.5 months, up from 4.0 months in December 2024.

    What all of this tells us is that the market is cooling in the best possible way — not slowing down, but smoothing out.

    Affordability remains one of the biggest challenges nationwide as well as here in Houston. According to HAR, 39% of Houston-area households can afford to buy a home, which is slightly better than last year but still below the level we reached five years ago. That said, Houston continues to outperform the national average. Nationwide, only 34% of households could afford to buy a home in 2025, compared to 55% five years ago.

    But there’s an important point many buyers don’t realize: Help is available. Nearly 90% of homes listed on HAR.com qualify for some form of down payment assistance. Buyers can easily see what programs they may be eligible for at har.com/downpayment, and that alone can be a game changer.

    One of the most interesting trends we’re seeing is where people are buying. Some of the hottest areas for home sales continue to be in the suburbs, like Waller, Brookshire and Hockley, where homes are more affordable and new construction is readily available.

    Communities that offer a combination of new homes at attainable price points are really standing out, especially for first-time buyers. For many, new construction in these areas has become the most cost-effective path to homeownership.

    While I wish I had a crystal ball to show me the direction of the market, I feel optimistic about where Houston is headed. This is a market that has adjusted, adapted and emerged stronger. As always, my best advice is to stay informed, ask questions and always practice real estate with real respect.

    Theresa Hill is 2026 chair of the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

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    Theresa Hill

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  • Home sales leap 198% in Houston’s hottest community – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Home sales increased by 198% year over year in Brookshire during the fourth quarter of 2025 — making it the hottest community in the Houston area, according to the quarterly report from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    Homebuyers purchased 227 Brookshire homes during the last three months of 2025, with new construction making up nearly half of those transactions. The Waller County community had an average home price of $304,980, down 11.5% year over year and about $120,000 cheaper than the average Houston home price of $425,535 (as well as $30,000 cheaper than the Houston median of $335,000).

    The second-hottest community was Waller, which had previously been the hottest Houston community for three quarters in a row. Home sales increased 103% year over year and had an average sales price of $310,102. The third-hottest was the Crosby area, where sales increased 81.7% year over year and had an average price of $254,458.

    Eight of the top 10 hottest communities in the Houston area had home prices below the Houston average, with six offering prices below the median, including No. 5 Baytown/Harris County ($253,783), No. 6 1960/Cypress ($316,590) and No. 10 West of the Brazos ($268,963).

    The only communities on the list that were more expensive than average were No. 4 West End, which had an average sales price of $769,938, and No. 8 Friendswood, which had an average sales price of $537,081. Transactions increased annually by 50% and 37.1%, respectively.

    “Buyers across all corners of the Houston area are responding to opportunity,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill. “As mortgage rates edge down, communities offering new construction, buyer incentives and more affordable pricing are well positioned to continue attracting prospective homebuyers.”

    Courtesy of HAR

     

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    Emily Marek

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  • HAR: Strong rental demand likely to persist in 2026, despite easing affordability for homebuyers – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Single-family rental demand remained strong at the end of 2025, according to the December/Full-Year 2025 Rental Market Update from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    Leases of single-family rentals leapt 9.4% year over year in December, with 3,283 leases signed. At the same time, new listings jumped 21.2% year over year with 5,486 SFRs added to the MLS, providing a plethora of single-family options for Houston renters. Amid increased inventory, the typical SFR stayed on the market for 48 days, up one week from December 2024.

    For the full year, renters signed 47,292 leases, up 6.2% from 2024. The total dollar value increased 6.9% to over $110 million.

    Lease prices were relatively flat throughout the year, with the average declining 0.8% year over year to $2,245 in December. That was nearly $20 cheaper than December 2024 and marked the sixth-straight month of statistically unchanged prices.

    “A growing supply of rental properties gave renters more flexibility in 2025, while steady demand kept leasing activity moving at a healthy pace without putting upward pressure on prices,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill. “Even as interest rates ease, rental demand is expected to remain strong this year.”

    For townhome and condominium rentals, leasing activity in 2025 stuttered compared to 2024 but increased annually in December. Houston renters signed leases for 7,171 condos and townhomes in 2025, down 3.9% year over year, but leased 518 in December, up 11.2% from December 2024. Days on market increased from 49 days to 51 days.

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    Emily Marek

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  • HAR: Houston housing market balanced, ‘back to normal’ in 2025 – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Last year was a “solid year for both buyers and sellers” as market conditions returned to pre-pandemic norms, the Houston Association of REALTORS® said in its December/Full-Year 2025 Housing Market Update.

    According to the association, closed home sales for 2025 increased 2.3% over 2024 volumes, while the total dollar value increased 4.5% to $42.9 billion.

    “The past year brought a welcome sense of balance back to the Houston housing market,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill with Compass RE Texas. “Buyers had more choices, prices were more stable, and homes continued to sell at a steady pace. As we head into the new year, that stability will provide a solid foundation for continued growth.”

    The Houston region saw year-over-year declines in only three months out of the year: February, April and November. Sales during summer months, meanwhile, more than made up for those deficits.

    Active inventory continued its upward trajectory in 2025, with active listings hitting a record-high 39,490 properties in July. Houston had a 5.5-month inventory then — the highest level since June 2012.

    Across the year, homes stayed on the market for an average of 64 days, up from 59 days in 2024.

    Prices remained stable: The median home price was flat at $334,990, while the average increased 0.9% year over year to $426,558. Luxury market activity pushed the average to an all-time high of $449,561 in June.

    “We’re selling just as many homes in the Houston area now as we did in 2019, which shows how far this market has come,” said HAR Chief Economist Ted Jones. “Houston is one of the few markets in the country that’s truly back to normal. The recovery a lot of people have been waiting for showed up in our region in 2025, and I think we’ll continue to see sales increased in 2026.”

    Houstonians saw improved affordability during 10 months of the year when compared to 2024. Assuming a 20% down payment, December buyers paid $87.72 less for the monthly housing costs for a median-priced home compared to buyers in December 2024.

    December 2025

    Closing out the year on a strong note, Houston home sales increased 1.2% year over year in December, with 8,707 total closings during the month. Pending sales increased 12% year over year, with 6,043 listings going under contract.

    The total dollar volume rose 2.1% year over year to $3.6 billion, while the median sales price increased 0.8% to $425,535, and the average rose just 0.3% to $335,000.

    Given the rate of sales, the Houston metro area had a 4.5-month inventory in December, up from four months a year prior.

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    Emily Marek

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  • Home sales tick higher in first week of 2026 – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Closed home sales rose 2.1% year over year during the week ending Jan. 5, according to the Weekly Activity Snapshot from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    Buyers purchased 1,440 homes, up from 1,410 during the same week in 2025. Pending sales, however, declined 6.7% year over year, with 1,261 homes going under contract.

    Meanwhile, Realtors added 2,524 new properties to the MLS, a 5.6% year-over-year decrease.

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    Emily Marek

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