As 2025 comes to a close, there’s finally a bit of good news in the housing market.
Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest level of the year, offering cautious optimism for buyers — and important signals for homeowners in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) area who are trying to decide whether to sell, hold, or pivot their strategy heading into 2026.
According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.15%, down from 6.18% the prior week and nearly a full percentage point lower than where rates started the year.
Source: https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms
The average 30-year mortgage rate began 2025 hovering around 7%, a level that significantly reduced affordability across North Texas and limited the buyer pool.
Why Mortgage Rates Matter So Much in DFW
Mortgage rates don’t move directly with Federal Reserve decisions. Instead, they closely track the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, which influences long-term borrowing costs.
As of late December, the 10-year Treasury yield hovered around 4.1%, keeping mortgage rates elevated despite recent Fed cuts.
Source: https://home.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates
For Dallas–Fort Worth buyers, this matters because:
- Home prices rose sharply from 2020–2022
- Property taxes in North Texas are among the highest in the country
- Insurance and maintenance costs have increased
- Monthly payments — not price alone — determine affordability
Even a modest rate drop helps, but it does not reset affordability to pandemic-era levels.
Home Sales Are Improving — But Cautiously
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that existing home sales rose 3.3% in November, with gains across all regions of the U.S., including the South. Source: https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/existing-home-sales
This is a positive sign, but in the Dallas–Fort Worth market, the improvement is selective:
- Well-priced homes are selling
- Homes needing updates face resistance
- Overpriced listings are seeing reductions or delistings
In other words, the market is functioning — but it is no longer forgiving.
Economic Growth Is Strong — But Uneven
Broader economic data remains supportive, at least on paper.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported that U.S. GDP grew at an annualized rate of 4.3% in the third quarter, exceeding economist expectations.
Source: https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gross-domestic-product
At the same time, inflation continues to cool.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% month-over-month and 2.7% year-over-year in November — both lower than forecasts.
Source: https://www.bls.gov/cpi/
Cooling inflation creates room for rate stability — but not necessarily aggressive cuts.
The Labor Market: A Key Risk for 2026
The job market remains the biggest wildcard for housing in 2026.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers added just 64,000 jobs in November, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, the highest since 2021.
Source: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.htm
For Dallas–Fort Worth, slower hiring could mean:
- Fewer relocation buyers
- More payment sensitivity
- Longer decision cycles
Housing markets don’t crash when jobs slow — but they do stall.
Federal Reserve Policy: Helpful, But Limited
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points for the third consecutive meeting, bringing the federal funds rate to a range of 3.5%–3.75%. Source: https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/openmarket.htm
However, meeting minutes showed notable internal disagreement, with some officials concerned inflation progress may be stalling.
Source: https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomcminutes.htm
For homeowners, this reinforces a key reality:
Mortgage rates may drift lower in 2026 — but a rapid return to 4%–5% rates is unlikely.
Two Viable Paths for DFW Homeowners in 2026
For many Dallas–Fort Worth homeowners, 2026 really comes down to choosing the right path for your situation — not guessing where the market might go next.
If your home is updated, well-located, and priced realistically, working with a strong local Realtor can still make sense. A good agent will help you navigate buyer expectations, pricing strategy, and negotiation in a more competitive market. We regularly refer sellers to trusted DFW agents when the traditional route is clearly the best fit.
On the other hand, if your property needs repairs, has tenants, carries back taxes, or you simply want speed and certainty, selling fast for cash may be the better option. A direct cash sale removes showings, appraisals, financing delays, and the risk of a deal falling apart — allowing you to move forward on your timeline. You can get a no obligation offer at DFWFastOffer.com
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The key is understanding both options clearly and choosing the one that aligns with your goals, not just today’s headlines.
Frequently Asked Questions About the DFW Housing Market
Is now a good time to sell a house in Dallas–Fort Worth?
It depends on your goals, property condition, and timeline. Homes that are well-priced and updated may still sell traditionally, while others benefit from faster, more flexible selling options.
Will mortgage rates go down in 2026?
Most forecasts suggest mortgage rates may drift slightly lower but are unlikely to return to the historically low levels seen in 2020–2021.
Are Dallas home prices expected to drop in 2026?
Most projections point to flat to modest price changes, with stronger neighborhoods outperforming and overpriced homes facing longer sell times.
What are my options if my house needs repairs?
Homeowners can either renovate and list with an agent or sell directly for cash without repairs, showings, or financing delays.
Sources & Market Data
Federal Reserve – Open Market Operations
https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/openmarket.htm
Freddie Mac – Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS)
https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms
U.S. Department of the Treasury – Daily Treasury Yield Curve
https://home.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates
National Association of Realtors – Existing Home Sales
https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/existing-home-sales
Bureau of Economic Analysis – Gross Domestic Product
https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gross-domestic-product
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Consumer Price Index
https://www.bls.gov/cpi/
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employment Situation Summary
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.htm
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