Mortgage rates back above 7% isn't the news most people wanted. But it's changing the market, and that matters whether you're buying or selling in Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, or anywhere across the Hill Country.
Nationally, the number of homes for sale is growing faster than it was this time last year. The main reason isn't a flood of new listings. It's that homes aren't selling as quickly.
Here's why, and what it means for your move.
Inventory Growth Is Picking Up Steam
According to HousingWire Data, national inventory growth slowed for most of the past year, then accelerated again in recent weeks. Look at the blue line in the graph below:
The cause might surprise you. When rates rise, some buyers hit pause. Fewer homes sell each week. Those unsold homes stay on the market alongside new listings, and the number available grows.
The next graph shows the relationship between rates and inventory. This year is the blue line. Last year is the green.
With rates inching up this year, national inventory has grown by about 25k. When rates dropped at this time last year, buyers jumped back in and inventory fell by about 9k.
Logan Mohtashami, Lead Analyst at HousingWire, explains how that has flipped from 2025 to 2026:
"With mortgage rates over 7%, demand tends to soften and inventory rises . . ."
Homes Are Spending More Time on the Market
Time on market shows the same shift. Data from Realtor.com shows the typical home nationally spent 61 days on the market this September. In September 2021 it was 41 days:
In 2021, rates were low, more buyers were active, and homes sold fast. With rates higher, fewer buyers are in the market, so deals take longer to close.
How To Make This Market Work for You
What this means depends on which side of the move you're on.
If you're buying in Boerne or Fair Oaks Ranch, more homes for sale means more choices and less pressure to rush. It also means more room to negotiate. A home that has been sitting a while may have a seller willing to talk about more than price: repairs, closing costs, or even helping buy down your rate.
That doesn't mean every seller will play ball. But compared to the frenzy of a few years ago, buyers have more leverage.
If you're selling in Boerne or Fair Oaks Ranch, strategy makes the difference. Buyers have more homes to choose from, so yours has to stand out. That starts with pricing it right from day one, making a strong first impression, and working with your agent to show what makes your home worth choosing. Buyers are still buying and homes are still selling. The goal is to position yours for the right buyer.
The market hasn't stopped. It's moving at a different pace, and your strategy needs to move with it.
Bottom Line
Across much of the country, inventory is growing and homes are taking a bit longer to sell. Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch can look different from the national picture, and even from one neighborhood to the next.
Whether you're buying or selling, let's look at how long homes are taking to sell in your neighborhood, so your offer or your price fits today's market. Call or text me at 210-478-8555, or visit myboernehome.com.
