Fayette County: How Rates Shape Buying Power in October

What does a 7.32% mortgage rate mean for a buyer in Fayette County today? With the median closed price at $299,000 across 34 sales in the rolling six months ending September 30, 2026, monthly payments are sensitive to every basis point. A standard 30-year fixed loan on that median price yields a principal-and-interest payment of $1,643 at the current rate. ALEX Intelligence modeled two common buydown structures to show how they shift cash flow. A 3-2-1 buydown reduces the note rate to 4.32% in year one, cutting the monthly payment by $456 compared to the base rate. The total cost of that buydown is $11,124, or 3.72% of the median sale price. A 2-1 buydown brings the rate to 5.32% in year one, saving $312 monthly for a total cost of $5,652, or 1.89% of the median sale price. These scenarios use the loan amount and payment figures provided in the data for the median price. The data shows that while prices have risen 4.9% versus the same period last year, the higher rate environment means buyers must weigh upfront buydown costs against long-term affordability. All model outputs are ALEX Intelligence estimates, not appraisals. 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. Read more Central Texas market data on the ALEX blog: https://alex-companies.com/blog