Harker Heights: How Rates and Buydowns Shape Buying Power

What does a 7.18% mortgage rate mean for a buyer in Harker Heights today? With the median closed price at $324,950 across 32 sales in the rolling six months ending Oct 31, 2026, monthly principal and interest on a loan amount of $259,960 would be about $1,761. That figure sets the baseline for affordability before any lender credits or buydowns are applied. ALEX Intelligence modeled two common buydown structures to show how payments shift at this price point. A 3-2-1 temporary buydown reduces the rate to 4.18% in year one, cutting the monthly payment by $493 for that first year, then to 5.18% in year two and 6.18% in year three. The total cost of this buydown is $12,024, or 3.7% of the median sale price. A 2-1 buydown offers a smaller reduction, lowering the rate to 5.18% in year one and 6.18% in year two, with a total cost of $6,108, or 1.88% of the median sale price. These scenarios help buyers compare upfront costs against monthly savings. The data also shows that 71.9% of sales closed below original list prices in this window, suggesting room for negotiation alongside rate strategies. For those weighing options, understanding the trade-off between a lower initial payment and the buydown cost is essential when planning a purchase in Harker Heights. Want to see this home? Call or text George at 713.918.9951 for a private showing. Coverage: most home sales in Harker Heights are listed in another MLS, which ALEX does not receive yet. The figures in this post count only sales listed in Unlock MLS (ABOR), so they describe part of the local market, not all of it. Data from Unlock MLS. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Model outputs are ALEX Intelligence estimates, not appraisals. Read more Central Texas market data on the ALEX blog: https://alex-companies.com/blog