10/01/2026
US Buyers Navigate 14-Month Cost High
It’s been a challenging stretch for buyers lately: by late Q3, monthly payments rose to $2,600—a 14-month high—driven by higher mortgage costs and steady median sale prices. The national median home-sale price ticked up about 2% year-over-year to roughly $399,000, which certainly hasn’t made things easier for those striving for affordability. As a Dallas native and real estate investor since 2006, I’ve seen the difference a thoughtful seller strategy can make; about 21% of active listings recently cut their prices, and sharper pricing has helped listings stand out while overpricing tends to give buyers pause. Inventory has improved a bit, with active supply up around 2% year-over-year to 1.5 million homes, but with supply hovering near the four-month mark, we’re still not quite at a balanced market. For families and service members looking for their next home, it’s a time when informed decisions and experienced guidance matter more than ever.