Uhland: How Mortgage Rates Shape Buying Power Now

What does a 7.32% mortgage rate mean for a buyer in Uhland today? With the median closed price at $231,990 across 83 sales in the rolling six months ending September 30, 2026, monthly payments are sensitive to every basis point. A standard loan with 20% down on that median price requires a principal-and-interest payment of $1,275 per month at the current rate. ALEX Intelligence modeled two common buydown scenarios to show how rates affect affordability. A 3-2-1 buydown lowers the rate to 4.32% in year one, cutting the monthly payment by $354 for that first year, then to 5.32% in year two (saving $242), and 6.32% in year three (saving $124). The total cost of this buydown is $8,640, or 3.72% of the median sale price. A shorter 2-1 buydown costs $4,392 (1.89% of price), reducing the rate to 5.32% in year one and 6.32% in year two. These figures assume a 20% down payment on the median price and are ALEX Intelligence estimates, not appraisals. The market shows the median close-to-original list ratio at 0.91, with 90.4% of sales closing below original list prices. Days on market have fallen to 53 days from 79 days in the prior period, while the median price per square foot dropped 6.4% compared to the prior six months. Buyers should weigh the upfront cost of a buydown against their cash flow needs and how long they plan to stay. The data reflects current conditions as of October 2026; rates and prices change with market activity. 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