Why This May Be the Best Time in a Decade to Buy a Home in Dallas

For years, Dallas buyers faced limited inventory, bidding wars, waived protections, and homes selling well above asking price. That pressure peaked during COVID, when historically low interest rates and a shortage of available homes pushed many buyers to pay significant premiums. Today, buyers have an opportunity to approach a purchase with more choices and more negotiating power.

The latest numbers help explain that shift. According to Redfin’s August 2026 estimates, sellers outnumbered buyers by 108% in Dallas, 115% in Austin, 116% in San Antonio, and 131% in Houston. Dallas and Houston both recorded their widest seller-to-buyer gaps in Redfin’s records, which date back to 2013. In Dallas, that means there were roughly two sellers for every buyer. All four Texas metros ranked among the country’s ten strongest buyer’s markets.

That imbalance gives buyers more opportunities to negotiate the price, repairs, closing-cost assistance, and rate buydowns. Sellers need to be realistic about pricing, presentation, and concessions when buyers have competing properties to consider. A desirable home that is priced well can still attract strong interest, but buyers have more room to compare options and negotiate terms that work for them.

In the Dallas neighborhoods I work most closely, including Lower Greenville, Henderson, East Dallas, Uptown, Oak Lawn, and SOHIP, I have seen some properties that remain on the market longer sell for 5% to 8% below their original asking prices. These are observations from specific properties, rather than a market-wide average. Still, they show why looking closely at pricing history, comparable sales, and a seller’s motivation can uncover opportunities.

Some of the properties I would watch most closely are townhomes, condos, and smaller single-family homes in the $400,000 to $850,000 range. Owners may be getting married, having children, relocating, or needing more space. Those changing priorities can make reaching an agreement more important, even when the market is less favorable for selling. For buyers, the opening may include both a lower purchase price and concessions that reduce upfront expenses.

Mortgage rates remain an important part of the decision. As of September 24, 2026, Freddie Mac reported a national average of 7.03% for a 30-year fixed mortgage, up from 6.95% the previous week. Individual quotes vary based on credit, down payment, loan type, and lender. At those rates, buyers need to evaluate the full monthly cost, including taxes, insurance, and any HOA fees, alongside the purchase price.

What makes this opportunity especially compelling is the chance to buy in a Dallas neighborhood you want to own in long term while having more room to negotiate. Lower Greenville, Henderson, East Dallas, Uptown, Oak Lawn, and SOHIP remain appealing for their central locations, restaurants, established communities, and access to the city’s major employment districts. With no certainty that interest rates will come down soon, waiting for a lower rate could mean overlooking an opportunity to secure a better purchase price today. For buyers who can comfortably afford the current monthly payment, negotiating a lower price, closing-cost assistance, or a seller-paid rate buydown could make purchasing now worthwhile. If rates eventually fall, more buyers could return and increase competition, potentially reducing today’s negotiating leverage. The key is finding a well-located property at a price and payment that work for you now, with any future refinancing treated as a potential bonus.