Texas Homebuyers Faced Less Competition in 2026

The majority of agents reported that buyers were able to shop without competing against other offers.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Residential

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A cooling residential market in Texas provided homebuyers with more options and less competition throughout 2026, according to recent industry data. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Data from 2026 shows that 69% of Texas Realtors reported their buyers did not compete against other offers when purchasing a property. This shift indicates a cooling market compared to the 57% of agents who saw no competition in 2025.

Why it matters

The shift toward a more favorable environment for buyers occurred as housing inventory grew while investor activity and relocation trends slowed. This cooling gives households more time to evaluate options, with 37% of agents noting their clients felt they had plenty of time to shop.

In 2026, 69% of Texas agents reported that buyers faced no competition, a rise from 57% the prior year. Additionally, the median listing price in Texas decreased by 2.4% year-over-year to $359,990.

The players

Texas Realtors

An organization representing real estate professionals who facilitate property transactions for households across the state.

The details

Texas maintained steady inventory through the recent rate cycle by continuing to build new housing, which helped prevent the supply shortages seen in previous years. To manage the process effectively, brokers have begun limiting the number of homes shown to clients to prevent decision paralysis, while 44% of buyers viewed between four and 10 homes before finalizing a purchase.

Timeline

  1. 2021: Veterans frequently lost multiple competing offers before getting bids accepted.

  2. 2025: 57% of agents reported no buyer competition.

  3. 2026: 69% of agents reported no buyer competition.

  4. September 2026: Texas was officially categorized as a cool buyer's market.

Money Landscape

The 2026 market stands in stark contrast to the intense bidding wars of the 2021 Texas housing market. This shift reflects a broader stabilization as supply growth outpaces the cooling demand from investors and relocations.

With more homes available and less competition, you may find more room to negotiate terms or price when viewing properties. Consult a qualified real estate professional to understand how the 64-day median time on market in Texas might affect your specific search timeline.

The takeaway

The cooling market has replaced the urgency of previous years with a more measured, buyer-friendly pace. Use this relative stability to carefully review the features of potential homes, but discuss your long-term budget goals with a qualified financial professional before making a final offer.

Further reading

Explore the current trends in Residential real estate to better understand how local market dynamics are changing.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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