The Texas housing market is an ever-evolving landscape that both buyers and sellers need to navigate carefully. As we look towards 2025, key trends such as stabilizing home prices, rising inventory, and modest sales growth are shaping the market. Understanding these elements can help you make informed decisions, whether you’re planning to buy, sell, or invest in Texas real estate.
Stabilizing Home Prices: A Forecast for Texas
After years of rapid growth, the Texas housing market is anticipated to see a stabilization in home prices by 2025. This trend is expected to bring a sense of calm to a market that has seen significant fluctuations over the past decade.
According to the home price forecast Texas for 2025, we can expect a more balanced scenario where price hikes slow down, offering a more equitable playing field for both buyers and sellers. Major cities like Austin, Dallas, and Houston are set to see their once skyrocketing prices ease. This could be good news for first-time buyers looking to enter the market.
Inventory Increase: More Options for Buyers
One of the driving forces behind price stabilization is the anticipated inventory increase. In 2025, more homes are expected to be on the market, partly due to the completion of new housing developments that broke ground in recent years.
Increased inventory in urban areas: Cities like Austin and Dallas are projected to have more housing options, easing the competitive tensions that have defined these markets.
Improved choices in suburban and rural areas: With more homes available, prospective buyers will have a broader selection to choose from, possibly paving the way for better deals and negotiating terms.
For potential buyers, this means more choices and potentially better prices. However, it also signals a need for sellers to strategically price and market their homes to stand out in a less competitive environment.
Modest Sales Growth: A Steady Climb
While inventory levels rise, modest sales growth is another key trend for Texas in 2025. The market may not see dramatic spikes in sales volume, but a steady upward trend is on the horizon.
This stable growth can lead to a healthier market balance. Instead of the aggressive bidding wars witnessed in previous years, buyers and sellers might experience a more predictable and less stressful transaction process.
Rent Outlooks: Shifts on the Horizon
The rental market in Texas is also set to undergo significant changes. As more people turn to homeownership due to stabilizing prices and increased inventory, the demand for rental properties might ease slightly. However, this doesn’t mean rents will drop dramatically.
Austin and San Antonio: These markets may see a plateau in rental prices as the supply of rental units meets demand.
Houston and Dallas: With diversified economies, these areas could maintain steady demand, keeping rental prices relatively stable.
What It Means for Buyers and Sellers
For Buyers
If you’re considering purchasing property in Texas, the 2025 market could offer more favorable conditions. With increasing inventory and steady prices, it’s a prime time to explore your options and potentially secure a home that fits your budget and needs. To get started, consider getting pre-approved for a mortgage, which can give you a clearer picture of your buying power.
For Sellers
Sellers may find that pricing their homes competitively is crucial in a market with more listings. Highlighting unique features and offering incentives like covering closing costs could make your property stand out. Working with a knowledgeable real estate agent who understands local trends can also provide a competitive edge.
Conclusion: Texas Housing Market in 2025
As the Texas housing market heads into 2025, stability seems to be the watchword. While prices stabilize and inventory rises, both buyers and sellers will need to adapt their strategies. By understanding these trends and preparing accordingly, you can confidently navigate the market, making informed decisions that align with your goals.
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Compass CEO Robert Reffkin’s recent posts criticizing NAR’s spending, the Clear Cooperation Policy, and the structure of the MLS have sparked lots of conversation in our industry. As someone who has been in this business, works alongside agents every day, and has seen both the challenges and the impact of sound policy, I felt compelled to respond.
Setting the record straight
Trying to rewrite history without understanding it is not only misleading, it’s dangerous. Let’s set the record straight: 2023 was not the worst real estate market since 1995. Those of us who’ve been in this business long enough and understand the full history know that’s simply not true. The real crisis was 2007–2010, when the market imploded due to systemic failures fueled by Wall Street, not by NAR, not by MLSs and not by practitioners.
But what is true is what came next: It was NAR and its partners who showed up to help rebuild, advocate and push for policy that protected homeowners, housing rights and the long-term stability of our industry.
And that’s precisely why we have to remember the full context before throwing stones. Wall Street’s “innovation” led to the 2008 financial collapse — the worst housing market in modern U.S. history — packaging risky subprime loans into complex mortgage-backed securities (MBS), selling them as safe investments and fueling a housing bubble with unsustainable lending practices.
When it all collapsed, millions of homeowners in underserved and first-time buyer communities were left holding the bag, while the financial institutions responsible were bailed out. That wasn’t a failure of organized real estate. That was unchecked greed.
Let’s also call this what it is: The effort to dismantle an entire industry and its trade organization under the banner of “consumer choice” is yet another Wall Street-style “innovation” — one engineered not to empower consumers, but to protect investor returns.
When policies that promote transparency and cooperation are undermined, we should all be asking: Who truly benefits? Because if history tells us anything, these strategies rarely serve the people buying and selling homes.
NAR’s fight for fair housing
Meanwhile, despite its flaws, NAR has consistently been one of the few organizations advocating for homeownership rights at the federal level. They fight for mortgage interest deductions, fair housing, disaster relief and the right for agents to remain independent contractors, a foundational freedom allowing agents to build their businesses on their own terms. That advocacy matters; most agents would feel the impact if it disappeared.
Clear Cooperation isn’t perfect — no policy is — and NAR is not perfect either. But suggesting that the organization and its policies exist purely as a dues-protection racket ignores the real intent: The protection of the profession, a shared Code of Ethics, and a rules-based infrastructure designed to ensure transparency in the marketplace and equal protection for buyers and sellers.
Specifically, the Clear Cooperation Policy was created to prevent off-market manipulation with practices that tend to benefit only a select few while limiting access and opportunity for the broader public. Tearing down a policy that is intended to promote equal opportunity for all buyers, and that requires listings to be entered into the MLS where they are visible and accessible to all, undermines this industry’s stated commitment to fair housing and transparency.
Yes, certain aspects of the policy, including carve-outs for exclusives, deserve further scrutiny. The industry hasn’t always been on the right side of history here, but this is an opportunity — an opportunity for companies and brokerages across the board to come together and acknowledge that cooperation benefits the entire market.
Instead of strategies that protect a company’s bottom line, we should be advocating for policies that serve all sellers and all buyers through transparency, standards, exposure and equal access to data. If we truly believe in a fair and functional marketplace, then it’s time to align our business strategies with the values we say we stand for, not just for what’s profitable, but what’s right.
Examining brokerage motives
What we can’t overlook here is the fact that Compass is a publicly traded company. Their board is accountable to shareholders, and that accountability is also about profit. To criticize NAR while conveniently skipping over the profit-driven motives of your own platform? That’s not transparency. That’s selective outrage.
Yes, it’s fair to question spending and structure. Yes, reform is necessary. However, there are thousands of professionals who deeply care about the real estate industry and its future. Every major organization — nonprofit or corporate — has dealt with bad behavior.
But tearing down an entire institution because of a few bad actors ignores the real, meaningful progress being made. If you want change, you show up. You work toward a common goal: Protecting homeowners, building equity, driving the adoption of data standards and making the system better for everyone.
For further clarification, when we talk about doing deals outside the MLS, we’re talking about exclusivity and giving access to properties only to those connected to specific agents working with specific brokerages. That hurts communities of color, it hurts first-time buyers, and countless studies have shown it also hurts — you guessed it — sellers. It creates barriers where there should be bridges.
Fair housing isn’t just a slogan, it’s a responsibility. So how can leaders at companies that claim to stand for consumers and equal access not support policies that ensure every agent and every buyer has access to every listing — and every seller receives the full exposure they deserve in the marketplace?
MLSs and greater transparency are not the problem. They are part of a proven infrastructure, built over a century, with model rules and shared data standards that evolve as the market changes. We don’t benefit from a broken system — and this one isn’t broken. It’s imperfect, yes, but it’s functioning and always improving because of the people who keep showing up to make it better.
People who show up to make it better do the work, not just for themselves, but to strengthen this industry for the communities we serve.
Nina Dosanjh is Chief Technology and Strategy Officer at Vanguard Properties. Connect with her at LinkedIn and Instagram.
The best real estate lead isn’t always the hottest or most time-sensitive one. Chris Drayer shares how to reach out and lead nurture in a way that’s best for both you and your potential client.
Whether it’s refining your business model, mastering new technologies, or discovering strategies to capitalize on the next market surge, Inman Connect New York will prepare you to take bold steps forward. The Next Chapter is about to begin. Be part of it. Join us and thousands of real estate leaders Jan. 22-24, 2025.
The best real estate lead is not the same as the hottest lead. They are quite dissimilar. In the world of real estate, pursuing high-quality leads can feel like chasing a mirage. Hot leads, or those inquiries that are promising to be just a heartbeat away from a transaction, often seem likethe holy grail. So, is faster really better?
Successful Realtors who invest heavily in buying leads, know that it’s crucial to understand that not all leads are created equal. The most valuable leads have the best ROI. The best leads will ultimately transact and have the intent to transact. They are not online clickbait leads; they are already familiar with your brand or have previously engaged with you.
The hot lead fallacy
Hot leads are often defined as prospects who are ready to buy or sell immediately. They’re the ones who fill out a form or reach out after seeing a compelling ad.
On the surface, it makes sense to prioritize these leads. “Speed to lead” is tattooed on some agents’ arms for this reason. However, research shows that focusing solely on hot leads can lead to missed opportunities and lower conversion rates over time.
According to a study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 65 percent of real estate transactions are influenced by prior interactions with the brand or agent. This indicates that leads who have engaged with your brand before or have a prior relationship with you are more likely to convert into clients.
Familiarity matters
Trust and relationship building: Leads who know your brand or have worked with you previously are more likely to trust you. Trust plays a pivotal role in real estate transactions, where clients are making significant financial decisions. Building a relationship over time enhances your credibility and makes these leads more comfortable choosing you as their agent.
Increased conversion rates: Data from Walnutreveals that marketing leads can take at least 18 to 24 months to nurture, raising the conversion rate 75 percent compared to those that are not nurtured. This underscores the importance of maintaining and nurturing relationships over time rather than focusing exclusively on immediate conversions.
Reduced marketing costs: Re-engaging with leads who already know your brand or have worked with you in the past often requires less investment than acquiring entirely new hot leads. Numbers on this vary, but it’s widely accepted that retaining clients is less expensive than finding new ones.
Maximizing lead value
Build a strong brand presence: Ensure your branding is consistent and visible across multiple channels. Regularly engage with your audience through newsletters, social media and valuable content to keep your brand top-of-mind.
Leverage CRM tools: Utilize customer relationship management (CRM) systems to track interactions with past clients and leads. Personalized follow-ups and targeted offers can significantly enhance your chances of conversion.
Focus on referrals and repeat business: Encourage satisfied clients to refer others to you and offer incentives for repeat business. Happy clients are often your best advocates and can bring in more qualified leads.
Implement lead nurturing campaigns: Develop automated lead nurturing campaigns that provide value over time, keeping your leads engaged and informed about the market. This approach helps in maintaining their interest and increasing the likelihood of conversion.
Food for thought
While hot leads can certainly provide immediate opportunities, they aren’t always the most valuable in the long run. Leads who know your brand and have previously worked with you often offer more significant and sustainable benefits.
By focusing on building and maintaining these relationships, you not only enhance your conversion rates but also reduce marketing costs and foster a more loyal client base.
The goal is no longer “speed to lead.” The new goal is “feed to lead.”
Invest in nurturing and feeding your leads while cultivating a strong brand presence. Feed your leads. As the data shows, the most valuable leads aren’t necessarily the hottest — they’re the ones with the best ROI who trust you and are already familiar with your work.
Chris Drayer is co-founder of Revaluate which segments consumers for marketers by propensity to move.
Everyone — from Michael Ketchmark to the consumer advocates behind Moehrl — is letting agents know that they’re under scrutiny as they implement the new rules of buyer agreement and (not) commission-sharing.
Whether it’s refining your business model, mastering new technologies, or discovering strategies to capitalize on the next market surge, Inman Connect New York will prepare you to take bold steps forward. The Next Chapter is about to begin. Be part of it. Join us and thousands of real estate leaders Jan. 22-24, 2025.
Each week on The Download, Inman’s Christy Murdock takes a deeper look at the top-read stories of the week to give you what you’ll need to meet Monday head-on. This week: Everyone — from Michael Ketchmark to the consumer advocates behind Moehrl — is letting agents know that they’re under scrutiny as they implement the new rules of buyer agreement and (not) commission-sharing.
One of the big frustrations for agents and brokers coming from both the industry’s recent commission-related lawsuits and their subsequent settlements has been the jury-validated assertion of a vast real estate conspiracy when it comes to commissions. Imagine, then, what industry watchdogs make of conversations and planning that seem to suggest some Realtors are still planning to find ways to share commission-related information.
We already know that the National Association of Realtors’ President Kevin Sears is aware of Department of Justice scrutiny on this issue. This week, we heard even more, including a two-part interview with Doug Miller and Wendy Gilch of the Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate, the watchdog that brought Gibson, the first of the so-called “bombshell” antitrust lawsuits, and a word of warning from the lead Sitzer-Burnett attorney.
In a phone interview, lead Sitzer | Burnett plaintiffs’ counsel Michael Ketchmark weighed in on the consequences of violating the NAR settlement, Zillow’s business model, and the “monster case” that remains.
According to Ketchmark, attorneys for homeseller plaintiffs in multiple antitrust cases will be keeping a close eye on how the real estate industry rolls out business practice changes to comply with the National Association of Realtors’ proposed settlement, and they’re looking to make examples out of brokers and MLSs who violate the deal.
“If anyone thinks they’re going to be able to avoid the application of this settlement agreement and the law by creating some new forms or hiding this cooperation on new websites, they’re wrong,” Ketchmark said. “If we get any sense that people or corporations are doing that out there as a way around this, we plan on taking swift legal action.”
As we approach football season, it’s time to start using football-related metaphors, so here goes: The best defense is a good offense.
In this case, that means that knowing the ropes and staying educated on the rules is far preferable to trying to defend yourself for mistakes and workarounds after that fact. That’s why we’re here with plenty of advice, answers and analysis so that you’ll stay on the right side of all the folks who’ve got their eyes on your now.
Now that the “New Normal” has officially begun, it’s time to answer the frequently asked questions agents and brokerages have about the newly implemented commission settlement rule changes.
Steep fines can stack up and swiftly put you in a sticky situation. What’s worse is when it’s your competition turning you in. Trainer Rachael Hite tells you how to stay on the right side of the rules.
Part of the relationship involves Local Logic providing iGo with a site license for NeighborhoodIntel, a recently released property reporting product that generates insights from more can 250 data points per home.
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Part of Local Logic’s growth strategy has been to partner with like-minded technology providers and its latest move is no different, Inman has learned.
The company that provides data resources and tactical marketing tools to help agents become location experts has partnered with iGo, a digital home inspection and home management company, according to a July 24 press release. The partnership is a clever choice for Local Logic, as it gets no more location-specific in real estate than under the crawl space of a home about to sell.
Part of the relationship involves Local Logic providing iGo with a site license for NeighborhoodIntel, a recently released property reporting product that generates insights from more can 250 data points per home.
“IGo provides technology and services to home inspection companies, including HomeBinder, a system powered by home inspection data that helps home purchasers more easily manage moving and maintaining their homes with a personalized experience,” the release stated.
In 2023, iGo closed on more than $5.5 million in Series A funding and promptly acquired two industry software providers, HomeBinder and Repair Pricer, Inman reported.
HomeBinder is focused on helping people move, integrating a home’s physical characteristics and inspection data to help home purchasers more easily manage moving and maintaining their homes. It was reviewed by Inman in 2022 and noted for its Home Seller report, easy connection to local vendors, and ability to collect all of the closing documents and requisite loan data shortly after closing.
Vincent-Charles Hodder, co-founder and CEO of Local Logic, said in the press release that his company’s offerings overlap intuitively with iGo’s offer to the industry.
“Collaboration with iGo underscores our commitment to leveraging location intelligence to improve real estate transactions,” Hodder said. “By integrating NeighborhoodIntel into iGo’s services, we are equipping homebuyers with critical information to make more informed decisions about where they live.”
Local Logic has relationships in place on multiple industry fronts, including with MLS software provider VestaPlus, HomeGenius and, as of last month, AI disability resource Lundy.
“We are relentless about delivering an amazing consumer experience,” said John Russell, chief executive officer and co-founder of iGo, in a statement on the partnership. “By including NeighborhoodIntel reports with HomeBinder, we are able to provide homebuyers with unparalleled insights into their potential new neighborhoods, significantly enhancing their home buying experience.”
Local Logic landed $13 million in a Series B round in 2023, money that the company said will put toward general operations and services expansion to help the space “better understand the impact of location,” according to the announcement.
