Why October, November and December 2026 Could Be an Excellent Time to Buy in Dallas–Fort Worth

By Rick Baker | Coldwell Banker Apex

Everybody wants a great deal in real estate. But many buyers wait until everyone else feels comfortable buying—and then wonder why the great deals have disappeared.

I believe the final three months of 2026 offer a compelling opportunity for qualified Dallas–Fort Worth buyers: the chance to negotiate while others hesitate.

Yes, higher mortgage rates increase monthly payments. But they can also reduce competition and give you more negotiating power with motivated sellers.

When buyers return, the home you wanted may still be available—but the seller’s willingness to negotiate may be gone.

I have personally lived this strategy

I began investing in real estate in the 1990s and, at my peak, owned and managed 52 rental homes simultaneously.

My experience includes being named the No. 1 Coldwell Banker Realtor in America for a Wall Street institutional investor that had bought and sold more than 100,000 properties. In 2024, I was also recognized among the top 4% of Coldwell Banker Realtors worldwide.

That experience shapes how I evaluate opportunities: What can we negotiate? What will the property cost to carry? What is its rental potential? Can the buyer comfortably hold it?

Some of the best opportunities appear when other people are reluctant to act.

Waiting for lower rates can cost you a better deal

“I’ll buy when mortgage rates drop” sounds sensible. But if lower rates bring sidelined buyers back, you could face competing offers, fewer concessions and less flexibility on price.

Consider an illustrative $450,000, 30-year mortgage:

That difference is approximately $3,697 over one year, excluding taxes, insurance, HOA dues and mortgage insurance.

Compare that with a hypothetical $20,000 or $30,000 negotiated price reduction. Either could substantially outweigh a year of higher payments.

Refinancing has costs, and lower rates are not guaranteed. Buy a home you can afford at today’s payment, with a future refinance treated as a possible bonus.

A lower rate helps your payment, but a better purchase price can benefit you throughout your ownership.

New construction creates pressure—and opportunity

MetroTex reported that new construction represented 31% of DFW listings during the first half of 2026. Builder rate incentives, closing-cost assistance and upgrades create substantial competition for resale sellers.

For an owner whose home has been sitting unsold, that competition can become exhausting. For a prepared buyer, it can create an opening.

August single-family sales were down 5% from a year earlier, pending sales were down 11%, and average days on market increased to 58, according to MetroTex. Opportunities vary by neighborhood, but those conditions warrant a closer look.

During October, November and December, focus on:

• Homes with extended market time and multiple price reductions.
• Vacant properties generating ongoing ownership costs.
• Sellers facing relocation or year-end deadlines.
• Resales competing with nearby builders.
• Completed new homes offering meaningful concessions.

A fully approved buyer with a reliable closing timeline can offer a motivated seller something valuable. Combine that certainty with an aggressive, well-supported offer.

Berkshire is committing billions to housing

Warren Buffett built his reputation on careful research and long-term investing. The company he built, Berkshire Hathaway, has made a major housing commitment during this challenging market.

In July 2026, under CEO Greg Abel, Berkshire completed its acquisition of Taylor Morrison at approximately $8.5 billion including debt, with $6.8 billion paid for its equity. Combined with Clayton Properties Group, the operation ranks as the nation’s fourth-largest homebuilder, based on 2025 site-built closings.

If Berkshire were confident it could buy the same business substantially cheaper next year, waiting would seem attractive. Instead, it committed billions now.

My interpretation: Berkshire sees long-term value worth buying through today’s uncertainty. That does not guarantee next year’s home prices, but it challenges the idea that investors should wait until everyone feels comfortable.

You do not have to identify the exact bottom to make an excellent purchase. You need the right property, a disciplined price and the ability to hold it.

Read my reviews—and consider your family’s legacy

As Coldwell Banker says, “WHO YOU WORK WITH… MATTERS!”

Read my 140+ client reviews here, with an overall rating of 4.98 out of 5. You will see examples of clients I have helped lease their homes instead of selling them.

My philosophy is straightforward: buy thoughtfully, keep good real estate and consider renting it out when you move.

As I tell clients, “If it was good enough for you to live in, it may be good enough to rent to someone else.” We then confirm that the rental income, expenses and financing support the decision.

Keeping a suitable property can provide rental income, tenant-supported mortgage paydown and potential appreciation. It can also create resources for your children’s education, first home or future financial security.

You can begin building a legacy that gives your children opportunities perhaps we did not have growing up.

October, November and December 2026 could be your buying window. If you wait until everyone else wants to buy, you may lose the opportunity to negotiate today.

Contact Rick Baker with Coldwell Banker Apex at (972) 836-8880. Let’s evaluate whether you can keep your current home, buy your next one and put today’s market to work for your family.