Market Updates
DFW Housing Market Update: September 2026
By Tola Adebiyi · 5 min read
A monthly, no-spin read on where the Dallas–Fort Worth market stands: inventory, pricing, days on market, and mortgage rates, pulled from the September 2026 MLS report by the Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center.
Quick Summary
As of September 2026, DFW home prices are holding steady while buyer activity slows. The metro single-family median was $385,000, down just 1% from a year ago. Pending sales fell 19% year over year as 30-year mortgage rates climbed above 7%. Homes are taking about two months to sell and closing near 94% of list price, which gives prepared buyers real negotiating room.
Inventory: Balanced, Not Surging
DFW had 31,325 active single-family listings in September, about 2% fewer than a year ago, or 4.3 months of supply. That's a balanced market. The east side runs looser: Rockwall County sits at 5.8 months of supply and Kaufman County at 6.0.
Days on Market: Slower, More Deliberate
The average DFW home spent 62 days on the market, up from 58 in August, and sellers received 93.9% of list price. Locally, Fate moved fastest at 63 days, Rockwall averaged 77, Forney 91, and Heath 96.
Pricing: Flat Year Over Year
The median sale price was $385,000 and the median price per square foot was flat at $185.82. Rockwall County's median rose 14% to $485,000, but on just 199 sales, so that jump likely reflects which homes closed rather than broad appreciation.
Mortgage Rates: Back Above 7%
Rates are the story this month. Freddie Mac's weekly survey shows the 30-year fixed crossed 7% in late September for the first time since January 2025, and it averaged 7.40% as of October 15, up from 6.27% a year ago. That's why contracts dropped: 5,536 DFW homes went pending in September, down 22% from August.
New Construction: Where the Leverage Is
For new construction, the bigger lever is financing: several DFW builders are advertising fixed rates between 4.99% and 5.25% with closing cost help, roughly two points below the market.
What This Means Depending on Where You Sit
- Buyers: flat prices, more room to negotiate, and builder rate incentives worth comparing against outside financing.
- Sellers: price against today's competition from day one. With homes averaging 62 days on market and selling near 94% of list, overpricing costs time and money.
- New construction buyers: right now, the builder's rate offer may matter more than the price itself.
DFW Market Snapshot: September 2026
| Metric | Current Reading |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (metro) | $385,000, down 1% YoY |
| Pending sales | 5,536, down 19% YoY |
| Active listings | 31,325, down 2% YoY |
| Months of inventory | 4.3 |
| Average days on market | 62 |
| Sold-to-list price | 93.9% |
| 30-year mortgage rate | 7.40% (Freddie Mac, Oct 15) |
Sources: NTREIS Monthly MLS Summary Report, September 2026 (Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center via MetroTex); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey; builder incentive offers as advertised in October 2026.
Free Guide
New Construction vs. Resale: Which Home Is Right for You? (Rockwall, Forney, Heath & Fate)
An honest side-by-side look at cost, timeline, and tradeoffs so you can pick what fits.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DFW a buyer's market or seller's market right now?
Balanced. With 4.3 months of supply metro-wide and homes closing near 94% of list, buyers have leverage, especially on the east side, where Rockwall County sits at 5.8 months of supply and Kaufman County at 6.0.
Are home prices dropping in Dallas-Fort Worth?
Not meaningfully. The September median of $385,000 was down 1% from a year ago, and price per square foot was flat.
Why did home sales slow in September?
Mortgage rates crossed 7% in late September for the first time since January 2025, pushing pending sales down 19% from September 2025.
How long are homes taking to sell in DFW?
About 62 days on average, and longer in east-side suburbs like Forney (91 days) and Heath (96 days).