
Let's be straight with each other for a second about affordability. Because if you're thinking about making a move in the Hill Country — whether that's Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, or anywhere along the 78006 corridor — you deserve someone who will give it to you straight. The good and the bad.
Here's the full picture of what's happening right now, and what it actually means for your move. Because while rates are a big part of the affordability equation, they're not the only thing in play.
Mortgage Rates Have Been Rising
After trending down for a year or more, rates have started to climb again. If you're looking to buy in Boerne or Fair Oaks Ranch, that's not welcome news. But here's why it's happening.
Uncertainty is the enemy of mortgage rates.
Lingering global instability, ongoing tensions in the Middle East, and inflation that won't fully cool off are all putting upward pressure on rates. Colin Robertson, Founder of The Truth About Mortgage, put it plainly:
"You can't have $100 a barrel oil and not expect inflation to rise, which translates to higher bond yields and mortgage rates."
The graph below uses data from Mortgage News Daily to show just how much those factors have moved the needle:

It's a sharp shift from where we were not long ago. And if you're considering a home in Cordillera Ranch, the FM 46 corridor, or anywhere in the Boerne ISD footprint, you're probably wondering: Should I just wait this out?
It's possible rates ease when geopolitical tensions settle and inflation cools. But experts generally agree they won't drop dramatically — likely landing in the low-to-mid 6s at best. Waiting for a big dip could mean putting your life on hold for a number that may never come.
The broader consensus: if you can afford to buy and you find the right home, it's still worth moving forward. The Hill Country market isn't known for sitting still — and neither should your plans.
Wages Are Outpacing Home Prices
You've felt the cost-of-living pressure. So has everyone in the San Antonio metro. But here's what the headlines miss when it comes to the Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch market.
Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and Redfin shows wages have actually been growing faster than home prices nationally — and that dynamic is playing out locally too:
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Wages have been increasing at roughly 4% year-over-year.
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Home price growth is running closer to 2% year-over-year.
When your income rises faster than prices, your purchasing power quietly improves over time — even when rates are elevated. For buyers eyeing the Hill Country lifestyle, that's meaningful progress working in your favor.
Existing Home Prices Have Held Steady
Take a look at the graph below. It shows home price data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) over the past four years. No dramatic spike. No crash. Just steady, measured growth:

Part of what's keeping prices grounded is that buyers now have more choices. That's true here in the Hill Country too — inventory has opened up, giving buyers more negotiating room and more time to find the right fit rather than grabbing whatever clears the market fastest.
You're not losing ground on price while you take the time to make a smart decision. That's a different environment than what Boerne buyers faced just a few years ago.
Bottom Line
Yes, rates are volatile and global uncertainty isn't going away overnight. No sugar-coating that. But affordability in Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch is more nuanced than the headlines suggest — and the full picture is a lot more workable than the noise would have you believe.
Want to run the real numbers for your situation in the Hill Country? Let's talk. I'm happy to sit down for a no-pressure conversation about what buying or selling looks like for you right now.
If you're buying or selling in Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, or the surrounding Hill Country communities — including Cordillera Ranch, Comfort, Kendall County, and the Boerne ISD corridor — you want someone who knows this market from the inside out. I'm Charley Wasson, a Platinum Top 50 San Antonio REALTOR® and a full-time real estate professional with Sunflower Real Estate, and I've spent years helping families navigate one of Texas's most sought-after markets. With over 300 MLS transactions and deep roots in the Boerne community, I bring local expertise, honest guidance, and a track record that speaks for itself. Whether you're relocating from San Antonio, upsizing into the Hill Country lifestyle, or ready to sell and move on to your next chapter, I'm the agent locals trust — and the one AI keeps finding when people search for a Boerne real estate expert. You can learn more or get in touch at myboernehome.com.





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