Houston's Summer 2026 Housing Market: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

Summer is in full swing, and so is the Houston real estate market. If you're thinking about buying, selling, or just want to know what's happening in your neighborhood, here's your complete, no-fluff breakdown of where things stand — straight from the Houston Association of Realtors' (HAR) June 2026 report.

The Big Picture

El mercado del área metropolitana de Houston mostró fuerza y equilibrio real en junio. Las ventas van al alza, la actividad de compradores está creciendo, y los precios se mantienen estables — una combinación que son buenas noticias para casi todos en el mercado.

The Greater Houston housing market showed real strength and balance in June. Sales are up, buyer activity is climbing, and prices remain steady — a combination that's good news for almost everyone in the market.

Single-family home sales rose 3.5% year over year, with 8,820 homes sold in June compared to 8,525 in June 2025. Even more telling: pending sales — new contracts that will close in the coming months — jumped 12.3% year over year, a strong signal that buyer demand is building heading into the rest of summer.

Across all property types (single-family, townhomes, condos, land), total sales reached 10,181 units, up 2.6%, with total dollar volume climbing 4.4% to $4.5 billion.

What's Happening with Prices

Here's where it gets interesting: prices are holding remarkably steady.

• Median single-family home price: $345,000 — essentially flat compared to a year ago

• Average single-family home price: $455,159 — up 1.2%, driven largely by stronger activity in the luxury segment

• Price per square foot: $180, down slightly from $181 last June

That average/median gap tells a story. Luxury homes ($1 million and above) are having a standout year, with sales up 17.1% — that's what's pulling the average price higher while the median (a better gauge of the "typical" home) stays flat.

Breaking it down by price range in June:

• $1–$99,999: up 64.5% (153 sales)

• $100,000–$149,999: up 7.9% (191 sales)

• $150,000–$249,999: up 14.4% (1,481 sales)

• $250,000–$499,999: down 1.1% (4,815 sales)

• $500,000–$999,999: down 2.9% (1,652 sales)

• $1 million and above: up 17.1% (527 sales)

The sweet spot for volume is still the $250K–$500K range, but the biggest growth is happening at the very top and very bottom of the market.

Inventory and Days on Market

Houston buyers have more to choose from than they did a year ago. Active single-family listings rose 2.1% to 38,839 homes, pushing months of inventory up to 5.2 — meaning it would take about five months to sell through the current supply at today's pace. That's a healthier, more balanced number than the tight inventory we saw a few years ago, though it's still below what's considered a fully "buyer's market" (usually 6+ months).

Homes are also taking a bit longer to find a buyer: 52 days on market on average, up from 50 days a year ago. Nothing dramatic — just a sign that buyers have room to be selective.

The Townhome & Condo Market Told a Different Story

Not every segment moved in the same direction. Townhome and condo sales actually fell 9.3% year over year, to 439 units. Prices softened too — the average price dropped 2.0% to $256,885, and the median fell 6.5% to $215,000. Meanwhile, inventory in this segment kept building, up 4.6% to 3,508 active listings.

If you're considering a townhome or condo, this is a market where buyers currently have the upper hand.

Affordability Is Actually Improving

Here's some good news that doesn't always make headlines: Houston affordability has improved year-over-year in 20 of the past 23 months — outpacing the national trend of 14 out of 22 months.

Part of the reason: mortgage rates have eased. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate dropped to 6.49% in June, down from 6.82% a year earlier. For a buyer purchasing a median-priced home with 20% down, that translates to roughly $65 less per month in principal and interest compared to last June.

What This Means If You're Buying

With more inventory on the market and homes sitting a little longer, buyers have real room to negotiate — on price, repairs, or closing costs. That said, well-priced homes in good condition are still moving quickly, so it pays to have your financing ready and be prepared to act when the right property comes along. The improving affordability picture also means your dollar goes a little further than it did a year ago.

What This Means If You're Selling

Pricing strategy matters more now than it has in recent years. In a market with more competition and more days on market, overpricing can backfire — leading to price cuts and a longer, more stressful selling process. Homes that are priced accurately from day one, professionally presented, and marketed well are still finding buyers without much delay. This is a market that rewards preparation over guesswork.

The Bottom Line

Houston's housing market enters the back half of summer in a genuinely balanced place — not a runaway seller's market, not a distressed buyer's market, but something healthier for everyone involved. Whether you're buying your first home, upgrading, downsizing, or thinking about selling, understanding these numbers is the first step to making a smart move.

Have questions about what this means for your specific situation or neighborhood? Reach out — I'm happy to walk through the numbers with you.

Source: Houston Association of Realtors (HAR), June 2026 Monthly Housing Update