Rockdale: How a 7.18% Rate Changes Buying Power in November

What does a 7.18% mortgage rate mean for a buyer in Rockdale today? With the median closed price at $227,580 across 53 sales in the rolling six months ending October 31, 2026, monthly payments are sensitive to every basis point. A standard 20% down payment on that median price results in a principal-and-interest payment of $1,233 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 note rate to 4.18% in year one, cutting the monthly payment by $345 for that first year. The total cost of this buydown is $8,412, or 3.7% of the median sale price. A 2-1 buydown reduces the rate to 5.18% in year one, saving $236 monthly, with a total cost of $4,272, or 1.88% of the median price. These figures assume a 20% down payment and a 30-year fixed loan at 7.18%. Buyers should compare these costs against their cash reserves and how long they plan to stay in the home. The data also shows that homes are selling faster now, with median days on market down 48.7% versus the prior six-month period, while the median close-to-original list ratio improved to 92.2%. https://alex.realestate 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