Hays County: How Rates Shape Buying Power in August

What does a 7.28% mortgage rate mean for buyers in Hays County today? With the median home price at $355,050 across 395 closed sales in August, monthly payments are sensitive to even small rate shifts. ALEX Intelligence calculated payment scenarios using the basis provided in the data to show how financing costs change with current rates. At the median price of $355,050, a buyer faces a principal-and-interest payment of $1,943 per month at the current 7.28% rate. If a seller offers a 3/2/1 buydown, the monthly payment drops to $1,402 in year one, saving $541. In year two, the payment is $1,574, saving $369 per month, and in year three it reaches $1,754, saving $189 per month. The total cost of this buydown is $13,188, or 3.71% of the median sale price. A shorter 2/1 buydown reduces the monthly payment to $1,574 in year one and $1,754 in year two, costing $6,696 total (1.89% of the price) while saving up to $369 monthly in the first year. These figures are ALEX Intelligence estimates based on current market data and standard loan assumptions, not appraisals. Buyers should weigh the upfront cost of a buydown against their long-term rate outlook. With 4.94 months of inventory available today, these financing tools can make homes more accessible without changing the list price. The median home size remains 2,028 square feet, and prices are down 1.4% from July and 2.5% from August 2025. https://alex.realestate/hays-county-market-data This week's 5 best values under $1,000,000, ranked by the ALEX deal score: 1. 145 Cistern WAY, Austin TX 78737 · MLS #3362975 Listed at $909,900, 4 bed, 4.5 bath, 4,640 sq ft. Listed 9% below the ALEX valuation; 34% under the local price per sq ft; price reduced 17% from original. See it on alex.realestate: https://www.alex.realestate/listing-detail/1179044957/145-Cistern-WAY-Austin-TX 2. 561 Stone View TRL, Austin TX 78737 · MLS #6287138 Listed at $499,000, 4 bed, 3.5 bath, 2,689 sq ft. Listed 11% below the ALEX valuation; 37% under the local price per sq ft; price reduced 12% from original. See it on alex.realestate: https://www.alex.realestate/listing-detail/1183161813/561-Stone-View-TRL-Austin-TX 3. 229 GEODE GLN, Maxwell TX 78656 · MLS #6841841 Listed at $215,000, 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 1,980 sq ft. Listed 13% below the ALEX valuation; 25% under the local price per sq ft; price reduced 16% from original. See it on alex.realestate: https://www.alex.realestate/listing-detail/1183918192/229-GEODE-GLN-Maxwell-TX 4. 178 Limestone TRL, Austin TX 78737 · MLS #3453200 Listed at $449,000, 4 bed, 2 bath, 2,188 sq ft. Listed 10% below the ALEX valuation; 31% under the local price per sq ft; price reduced 10% from original. See it on alex.realestate: https://www.alex.realestate/listing-detail/1182521278/178-Limestone-TRL-Austin-TX 5. 319 William Moon WAY, San Marcos TX 78666 · MLS #8043263 Listed at $315,000, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,367 sq ft. Listed 8% below the ALEX valuation; 27% under the local price per sq ft; price reduced 14% from original. See it on alex.realestate: https://www.alex.realestate/listing-detail/1179935912/319-William-Moon-WAY-San-Marcos-TX Want a closer look? Reply or call George at 713.918.9951 and we'll set up a showing. Data from Unlock MLS. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Model outputs are ALEX Intelligence estimates, not appraisals. View and join any or all of our communities — AI, quantum, and real estate: https://alex-companies.com/reports/linkedin-groups If there's an AI, quantum, or real estate community you'd like to see us convene, tell us — this portfolio grows by request. MIT, Nvidia, Google & IBM-Trained. Cross Domain-Expert: Quantum, AI, Ethics, Sovereignty, Intelligence, Philanthropy. Solepoint Planning. VUI AI Cloud Architect. AI Certifications Development. Quant/AI Instructor. Castor Venture Club Member. Associate Broker. George Arnold Alexander III, MPA Director, ALEX Companies Associate Broker, Alexander Tiffany Southwest, LLC dba ALEX.realestate, et.al. Texas License #574878-B · Broker License #565194-BB Broker, ALEX Real Estate · North Carolina License #367733 Independent Broker, ALEX Real Estate · Colorado License #II.100112456 [email protected] · +1 713.918.9951