Are Houston Home Prices Finally Dropping? What April 2026 Data Shows

Katie Curran
6 days ago
7 min read

Houston home prices eased slightly in April 2026 — the median declined 1.6% to $332,000 while single-family sales rose 4.4% and active listings expanded to 36,572 homes. With inventory at 4.9 months and mortgage rates down to 6.33%, the Greater Houston market is giving buyers and sellers both more options and more clarity than they've had in years.

Aerial view of a Greater Houston Texas residential neighborhood illustrating the April 2026 housing market conditions for buyers and sellers.

TL;DR:

Houston's April 2026 housing market showed single-family sales up 4.4% year over year with the median price at $332,000 — down slightly but still firm. Inventory reached 4.9 months supply, above the national average of 4.1 months. Whether you're buying or selling in the Greater Houston area, the market is active and the data tells a clear story.

By Katie Curran | May 15, 2026

Katie Curran and MKAT Group | Keller Williams Signature track Greater Houston housing data every month — because knowing what the numbers mean is the difference between a confident move and a costly hesitation. April 2026 brought some of the clearest signals the Houston-area market has produced in years: more inventory, softer prices, lower mortgage rates, and rising sales activity. Here's the full picture.

The Houston Association of Realtors released its April 2026 Housing Market Update on May 13th, covering single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and all property types across the Greater Houston area. The top line: 8,196 single-family homes sold in April — up 4.4% from April 2025 — while total sales across all property types climbed to 9,568 units and total dollar volume reached nearly $4 billion.

What Did Houston's April 2026 Housing Market Look Like Overall?

The numbers from HAR's April 2026 update tell a story of healthy activity with a clear shift toward balance. Here's a snapshot of the key metrics:

Single-Family Homes Sold: 8,196 — up 4.4% year over year
Median Sale Price: $332,000 — down 1.6%
Average Sale Price: $428,709 — down 1.4%
Days on market: 60 days — up from 55 days
Active Listings: 36,572 — up 6.5%
Months of Inventory: 4.9 months — up from 4.8 months (national average: 4.1 months)
Pending Sales: up 9.4%
30-Year Mortgage Rate: 6.33% — down from 6.73% in April 2025

One stat that doesn't get enough attention: Houston single-family home sales are up 6.8% compared to April 2019, before the pandemic reshuffled everything. Nationally, existing home sales are down 22.4% compared to that same benchmark. Houston is outperforming the country by a wide margin — and has been for months.

HAR Chief Economist Dr. Ted C. Jones put it directly: "Houston home sales are not only back to normal pre-pandemic levels but are growing."

What Does the April 2026 Market Data Mean for Buyers?

If you've been on the sidelines waiting for a better entry point, the April 2026 data deserves your attention.

Inventory is up. Active listings rose 6.5% year over year to 36,572 single-family homes. You have actual choices. You're not writing offers on the first day a home hits the market or skipping inspections out of desperation. At 60 days on market (up from 55 last year), homes are sitting long enough for you to do real due diligence.

Mortgage rates are down. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed rate dropped from 6.73% in April 2025 to 6.33% in April 2026. On a median-priced Houston home with 20% down, that works out to nearly $100 less per month in principal and interest. Houston affordability has now improved in 18 of the past 21 months — that's a consistent trend, not a one-month blip.

Prices softened across most price ranges. Here's how sales broke out by segment in April:

$100,000–$149,999: up 26.0% (213 transactions)
$150,000–$249,999: up 12.4% (1,528 transactions)
$250,000–$499,999: up 2.8% (4,551 transactions) — this is where most Greater Houston volume lives
$500,000–$999,999: down 1.3% (1,398 transactions)
$1M and above: up 2.1% (394 transactions)

The $250,000–$499,000 range is the engine of the Houston market, and it's still moving. If you're shopping in that range, there's real activity — and more competition among sellers than buyers right now.

Every situation is different, and the only way to know what you can actually compete for in your target neighborhoods is to run the numbers with someone who knows these submarkets. That's exactly the kind of conversation I walk buyers through before we start touring homes.

What Does the April 2026 Market Data Mean for Sellers?

Here's the honest read for sellers: this isn't 2021. Homes aren't receiving multiple offers in the first weekend with buyers waiving every contingency. But that doesn't mean selling is slow — it means preparation matters more than it did a few years ago.

The good news: buyer demand is real and growing. 8,196 homes closed in April, and pending sales jumped 9.4% — meaning May closings are tracking even higher. The buyers are out there.

The context: Days on Market rose from 55 to 60 days, and inventory sits at 4.9 months. There's more competition. Pricing accurately from day one is more important than ever — overpriced homes are sitting while well-priced homes are selling.

What this means practically:

The $500,000–$999,999 range was the only segment with declining year-over-year sales (down 1.3%). If that's your price point, presentation and pricing precision are critical.
The median price dipped 1.6% to $332,000. If you bought before 2022, you're likely still in solid equity territory — but pricing to last year's comps will have you chasing the market down.
The $150,000–$499,999 range continues to see strong buyer absorption. If your home falls there, you have healthy demand working in your favor.

HAR Chair Theresa Hill said it well: "Homes are still moving, but consumers have more time to make decisions and more leverage during negotiations."

The sellers winning right now are the ones who price accurately from day one, prepare their home well, and work with an agent who's tracking what's actually closing — not what sold 12 months ago.

What About Townhomes, Condos, and Existing Resale Homes?

Existing single-family resale came in at 5,739 closings — up 4.6% year over year. The average resale price dipped 1.3% to $443,933, while the median held steady at $335,000.

Townhomes and condos held flat year over year at 450 units sold. The median townhome/condo price rose 7.0% to $230,000, though inventory expanded to 8.3 months — notably higher than the single-family market's 4.9 months. Condo sellers should plan for a longer absorption timeline in today's market.

Across all property types, the Greater Houston area saw 9,568 transactions in April with nearly $4 billion in total volume — up 2.6% year over year. This is an active, functioning market.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Houston Housing Market in April 2026

Q: Is the Houston housing market favoring buyers or sellers in 2026?

A: April 2026 data shows Greater Houston moving toward a more balanced market. Inventory expanded to 4.9 months supply — above the national average of 4.1 months — giving buyers more options and negotiating room. Prices eased slightly, with the median at $332,000. Sellers are still closing deals (8,196 single-family transactions in April alone), but homes are taking longer to sell and accurate pricing is more critical than in recent years.

Q: Is now a good time to buy a home in Katy, TX?

A: Katy remains one of Greater Houston's most active suburban markets, with strong demand across the $250,000–$499,000 price range. With mortgage rates at 6.33% — down from 6.73% a year ago — and inventory expanding, buyers have more options and more time to make informed decisions than they did in 2022 or 2023. If you're ready to explore what's available in Katy, you can learn more about the community and current market conditions on the Katy, TX real estate page.

Q: How does the Fulshear, TX real estate market compare to the Houston area overall?

A: Fulshear continues to attract buyers looking for newer construction, larger lots, and a fast-growing community west of Houston. While HAR's April data covers the broader Greater Houston area, the western suburbs — including Fulshear and master-planned communities like Jordan Ranch — tend to follow similar inventory and pricing trends with variation based on builder activity and community-specific factors. A neighborhood-level market analysis gives the most accurate picture for Fulshear specifically.

Q: How does the Cypress, TX real estate market look right now?

A: Cypress is one of Greater Houston's established suburban markets, with a strong mix of resale and new construction across a wide price range. The broader Houston trends — expanding inventory, stabilizing prices, and healthy pending sales — apply across the northwest suburbs as well, though neighborhood-level data varies. If you're considering Cypress, exploring the Cypress, TX real estate market page in more detail will give you a sharper picture of current availability.

Q: How do I find out what my Greater Houston home is worth right now?

A: With prices shifting and inventory growing, a current comparative market analysis (CMA) is the most accurate way to determine your home's value today. Online estimates are a starting point, but they don't account for your home's specific condition, upgrades, or your neighborhood's current absorption rate. Reach out to Katie Curran at MKAT Group | Keller Williams Signature for a no-obligation market analysis — you can get in touch through the contact page at mkatgroup.com.

Ready to Make Your Move in Greater Houston?

The April 2026 data gives buyers and sellers real, current information to work with — and the Greater Houston market is rewarding the people who act on it. Katie Curran at MKAT Group | Keller Williams Signature is here to help you understand how these numbers apply to your specific situation and your specific neighborhood. Whether you're buying, selling, or just exploring your options, you can start the conversation at here.

About Katie Curran Katie Curran is a licensed REALTOR® and co-founder at MKAT Group | Keller Williams Signature, serving buyers and sellers across the Greater Houston area including Katy, Fulshear, Cypress, Richmond, Brookshire, Hockley, and Sealy, TX. Katie brings a systems-driven, data-informed approach to every transaction. She has been licensed in Houston-area real estate since 2020 at KW Signature. Connect with Katie at mkatgroup.com.

Data sourced from the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) April 2026 Housing Market Update, published May 13, 2026, and Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Market statistics cover single-family homes in the Greater Houston area. Individual neighborhood and community results may vary. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Contact a licensed real estate professional for guidance specific to your situation.