As interest rates drop, the real estate market is entering a unique sweet spot. Many are wondering: Is it better to act now or wait for rates to drop further?
“[Lower interest rates] give buyers more buying power,” said Holly LeBlanc, a realtor with The Kink Team – Keller Williams Realty. “Now they can afford more. … It lowers their mortgage rate, and it allows them to be able to purchase more.”
She said that shift is already reshaping The Woodlands’ real estate market.
For buyers: the cost of waiting
While it’s tempting to wait for the lowest possible rate, history shows that, as rates fall, home prices rise due to increased demand.
- The current advantage: the market is currently calm. Buyers have more room to negotiate and less risk of being outbid by multiple offers.
- Seller incentives: in this market, sellers are often willing to provide concessions. These financial contributions can be a game-changer for a buyer’s monthly budget.
- Refinance later: buyers can secure the home at today’s price and refinance if rates continue to dip.
Understanding seller concessions
This year, concessions have become a vital tool for affordability. A seller can contribute funds at closing to:
- Cover closing costs: reducing the cash out-of-pocket needed to move in.
- Buy down a buyer’s rate: the seller pays a one-time fee to lower the mortgage interest rate.
“Concessions allow first-time home buyers, [especially], to get into a home that they may not necessarily be able to afford otherwise,” LeBlanc said.
For sellers: pricing for the new reality
The days of “list it and they will come” from 2021 are over. In 2026, success requires a strategic approach to pricing.
“The prices that we were seeing in 2021, 2022 and 2023 have made sellers think that those are the same prices they should be getting right now,” LeBlanc said. “When the market is stale, sellers have to [lower] their sales price in order to get a buyer to purchase.”
Why the right partner matters
In a shifting market, experience is the only substitute for uncertainty. Strategy and coordination between your realtor and lender are what bridge the gap between a “For Sale” sign and a “Sold” sign.
With 27 years of experience and over 3,000 homes sold, The Kink Team specializes in navigating these transition periods. Holly LeBlanc’s approach prioritizes clear communication and thorough negotiation to ensure her clients come out ahead.
The bottom line
2026 offers a rare window of opportunity. You can beat the buying frenzy expected later this year, while still benefiting from improved rates and seller flexibility.
Click here to learn more about The Kink Team – Keller Williams Realty, or call 281-364-4828 to speak with a team member today.
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.