Leander: How a 7.11% Rate Shapes Buying Power in October

What does a 7.11% mortgage rate mean for buyers in Leander when the median home price is $436,126? ALEX Intelligence modeled payments on a typical purchase with 20% down to show how rates and buydowns change monthly costs. At the current rate of 7.11%, principal and interest on a $348,901 loan would be about $2,347 per month. A common 3-2-1 buydown lowers that to $1,688 in year one, saving $659 monthly, then $450 in year two and $230 in year three. The total cost of a 3-2-1 buydown is $16,068, or roughly 3.68% of the median price. A 2-1 buydown costs $8,160 (about 1.87% of price) and reduces payments by $450 in year one and $230 in year two. In October 2026, 94 single-family homes closed at a median of $436,126, down 4.6% from September but flat versus October 2025. The median price per square foot was $187.86, down 2.2% from the prior month and 5.8% lower than last year. Homes spent a median of 61 days on market, up 24.5% from September but 17.6% faster than October 2025. These scenarios assume principal and interest only at a 20% down payment on the median price. ALEX Intelligence estimates are not appraisals; actual terms depend on credit, loan type, and lender pricing. Buyers should compare buydown costs against their cash flow needs before committing. 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