ShadowGlen: How Mortgage Rates Shape Buying Power Today

What does a 7.18% mortgage rate mean for a buyer in ShadowGlen today? With the median closed price at $403,500 across 30 sales in the rolling six months ending October 31, 2026, monthly payments are significantly higher than they were last year. A standard 30-year fixed loan at this rate on a typical home requires a principal and interest payment of $2,187 per month, assuming a 20% down payment. ALEX Intelligence modeled the impact of common buydowns to show how buyers can manage these costs. A 3-2-1 buydown, which temporarily lowers the rate to 4.18% in year one, costs $14,928 upfront but saves a buyer $612 per month initially. A more modest 2-1 buydown reduces the rate to 5.18% in the first year for a cost of $7,584, saving $418 monthly during that period. These figures are estimates based on median sale prices and do not constitute appraisals or financial advice. The market has responded to these rates with increased price sensitivity. While the median price rose 17.7% compared to the prior six-month period, it remains 3.3% higher than the same window last year. However, the share of homes selling below original list price jumped to 83.3%, up from 61.4% a year ago. Buyers are negotiating more aggressively as inventory levels adjust to current financing costs. For those looking at ShadowGlen now, understanding the cost of rate buydowns is essential for comparing total acquisition costs against monthly cash flow needs. The data reflects a market where affordability is driven by both price and the structure of financing terms. Want to see this home? Call or text George at 713.918.9951 for a private 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