Everything is bigger in Texas — including our real estate markets.
When people talk about Texas housing, they often lump everything together. But anyone who lives here knows that Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston can move very differently, even in the same month.
The February 2026 housing reports give us a great snapshot of how these two powerhouse markets are performing as we move into the busy spring real estate season.
Dallas–Fort Worth Real Estate Market – February 2026
The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area continues to show resilience, even as the market shifts toward a more balanced pace.
Key DFW Housing Stats
• Median home price: $385,000
• Price change: down 2.2% year over year
• Active listings: up 7.3%
• Closed sales: down 6.6%
• Months of inventory: 3.9 months
Homes are taking about 77 days on the market plus another 31 days to close, bringing the total timeline to about 108 days.
While prices dipped slightly year over year, this doesn’t necessarily signal weakness. Instead, it often reflects a market that is normalizing after several years of rapid appreciation.
In fact, from what I’m seeing personally, buyer activity in the Dallas area has picked up recently. I currently have listings in the DFW area, and those homes have already gone under contract, which tells me serious buyers are definitely still out there.
Houston Real Estate Market – February 2026
The Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands metropolitan area shows a slightly different dynamic.
Houston experienced a softer buyer market last year, but inventory growth and steady pricing suggest things may be stabilizing.
Key Houston Housing Stats
• Median home price: $323,990
• Price change: down just 0.3% year over year
• Active listings: up 16%
• Closed sales: down 3.4%
• Months of inventory: 4.8 months
Homes are averaging about 67 days on the market, plus around 32 days to close, bringing the total transaction timeline to roughly 99 days.
The big story here is inventory. With listings up 16%, buyers have more options than they’ve had in quite a while, which is helping move Houston closer to a balanced market.
But even with more inventory available, activity has started to pick up as we head into spring.
I’m seeing that firsthand with listings in the Houston area as well — showing activity is increasing and buyers are starting to make decisions again.
What These Two Markets Tell Us
Looking at Dallas and Houston side by side shows something important:
Texas real estate is not one-size-fits-all.
Dallas continues to be one of the strongest markets in the country, driven by job growth, relocation, and population increases.
Houston, on the other hand, tends to move a bit differently due to its size and economic diversity — but it remains one of the most affordable major metros in Texas.
Both markets, however, share one key trend in 2026:
➡️ Inventory is rising
➡️ Prices are stabilizing
➡️ Buyer activity is picking up as spring approaches
That combination often signals a healthier and more balanced market for both buyers and sellers.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years in real estate, it’s this:
The numbers tell part of the story — but the activity on the ground tells the rest.
And right now, the activity I’m seeing in both Dallas–Fort Worth and the Houston area suggests the spring market is starting to wake up.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Texas?
Whether you're looking in Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Montgomery, Lake Conroe, or beyond, every market requires the right strategy.
If you’re curious about what these trends mean for your specific area, call me. I’m always happy to help.
For all your real estate needs, get Jacque!
Serving Montgomery, Lake Conroe, DFW & beyond.