Texas Homebuyers Faced Less Competition in 2026
State realtors reported a cooling market as housing inventory rose and buyer options expanded across Texas.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Residential
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Texas homebuyers experienced a significant decline in competition throughout 2026, with more properties available and fewer bidders per listing. Sixty-nine percent of Texas Realtors reported their clients faced no bidding wars during the year.
Why it matters
The shift toward a cooler market reflects an increase in local housing inventory combined with a slowdown in both investor activity and relocation trends. This environment allowed buyers more time to deliberate before making purchase decisions.
In 2026, 69% of Texas Realtors reported that buyers faced no competition for properties, an increase from 57% in 2025. Additionally, the median listing price in Texas was $359,990, marking a 2.4% year-over-year decrease.
The players
Texas Realtors
This is a professional trade association representing 145,000 members across the state of Texas.
The details
Texas maintained steady inventory through the rate increase cycle by continuing to build housing, which mitigated the scarcity issues seen in previous years. To prevent decision paralysis, brokers often limited the number of homes shown to clients, while 44% of buyers ultimately viewed between four and 10 properties before finalizing a purchase.
Timeline
In 2021, veterans frequently lost multiple competing offers.
During 2025, 57% of agents reported no buyer competition.
In 2026, 69% of agents reported no buyer competition.
As of September 2026, Texas was categorized as a cool buyer's market.
Culture Shift
The 2026 Texas housing inventory report marks a departure from the intense, fast-paced bidding environment observed during the post-2020 pandemic era. This cooling trend reflects a broader societal move away from rapid, investor-driven real estate acquisitions toward more stable and deliberate home-buying patterns.
Homebuyers in cities like San Antonio and Houston now have more time to search, as the median time on the market has reached 64 days. Buyers may find they face fewer bidding wars, potentially reducing the stress and financial pressure associated with rapid-fire property offers.
The takeaway
Prospective buyers should utilize the current increased inventory to carefully evaluate property features rather than rushing into impulsive bids. Since competition is lower, taking the time to view multiple homes can lead to a more informed and satisfying long-term purchase decision.
Further reading
For more information on the housing landscape, visit Texas Residential.
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