Carriage Hills: How Rates Shape Buying Power This Month

What does a 7.32% mortgage rate mean for a buyer in Carriage Hills today? With the median closed price at $363,500 across 58 sales over the trailing 12 months ending September 30, 2026, monthly payments are sensitive to every basis point. A standard 30-year fixed loan with a down payment on that median price yields a principal-and-interest payment of $1,998 at the current rate. ALEX Intelligence modeled two common buydown structures to show how they shift affordability. A 3/2/1 buydown reduces the note rate to 4.32% in year one, cutting the monthly payment by $555 compared to the base rate; it costs $13,548 total (3.73% of the median price). A 2/1 buydown brings the rate to 5.32% in year one for a $380 monthly savings and a total cost of $6,888 (1.89% of the median price). These are ALEX Intelligence estimates based on the median sale price and current rates; they are not appraisals. The market context matters: median days on market rose 2.9% versus the prior period to 35 days, while the median close-to-original list ratio dipped 0.5% to 95.6%. Median price per square foot is up 3.8% year over year at $191, even as the median living area shrank 11% compared to the prior period. Buyers weighing a buydown should compare the upfront cost against their monthly cash flow needs and how long they plan to hold the home. For reference, the regional benchmark shows a median price of $405,000 with 56 days on market, while Williamson County sits at $390,000 and 56 days on market. All figures reflect Unlock MLS data through September 30, 2026. 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