What’s Really Happening in the East Texas Real Estate Market? (February–March 2026 Update)

Let’s take a quick look at what happened in the East Texas real estate market during February and March 2026. From interest rates to time on market and pricing trends, there are a few key shifts worth paying attention to.

120 Affirmed Avenue (above) is listed for sale in Hallsville ISD for $899k. Built in 2020 and thoughtfully enhanced since with a pool, shop, garden with raised beds, and extended patio, this 3,150-square-foot residence sits on .784 acres and offers a blend of refined design, functional space, and elevated outdoor living—all within convenient access to Longview’s major corridors, including I-20, Highway 80, and Loop 281. For more information about this property, text/call Kristin Koonce at (903)241-2608 or view the full listing details here.

Days on Market

One of the biggest changes we’re seeing right now is time on market. Across East Texas, homes are typically sitting longer than they did during those ultra-competitive years. In fact, it’s becoming much more common for properties to spend several weeks—or even a few months—on the market before finding the right buyer.

Here’s what sellers are looking at regarding DOM:

• From February 1st to today (it’s March 25th as I write this), the average days on market is 112.

• In February, the average DOM was 120.

• From March 1st to today, the average DOM is 102.

Longer time on market does not mean homes aren’t selling. They absolutely are.

What we’re seeing now is something much healthier and much more balanced! In many ways, it’s starting to feel like a true real estate market again—one where both buyers and sellers have room to breathe, ask questions, and make smart decisions. Agents and buyers aren’t having to drop what they’re doing to go see a house ASAP and sellers aren’t having to leave for an entire day to get 30 buyers in to see their home.

It’s no longer a sprint. It’s a thoughtful process and, when handled the right way, it can still lead to a successful sale for everyone involved.

Interest Rates

Interest rates have moved up slightly recently, and that always gets attention. As a friendly reminder…rates change—but people’s lives keep moving.

People are still relocating to East Texas. Families are still outgrowing homes. Folks are still downsizing, retiring, investing, and moving closer to family, etc.

Historically speaking, interest rates have always moved in cycles. Buyers adapt, lenders create new programs, and the market finds its rhythm again. That’s what is happening as we speak! Real estate has always been a long-term game, and East Texas continues to be an attractive place for buyers because of:

• affordability compared to larger cities

• land and acreage opportunities

• strong local communities

• great school districts

• slower pace of life

Those fundamentals haven’t changed! They’re a big reason why we continue to see steady interest in our market even as the broader housing landscape shifts. At the end of the day, interest rates may influence when someone decides to make a move, but they rarely change the fact that people still need homes.

Price Adjustments

Another interesting trend we’re seeing in the East Texas market right now is the number of price adjustments happening across active listings. Over the last 30 days, there have actually been more price adjustments than new listings entering the market (676 price changes and 659 new listings).

At first glance, that number might sound surprising—but in reality, price adjustments are a completely normal part of a balanced real estate market.Today’s market works a little differently.

Buyers have more time, more options, and more ability to compare properties before making a decision. Because of that, pricing a home perfectly on day one can be a bit of a moving target. Sometimes the market simply needs a little time to react. That’s where price adjustments come in.

A price adjustment doesn’t mean something is wrong with the home. It doesn’t mean the property won’t sell. It simply means the seller and their agent are responding to feedback from the market—things like showing activity, buyer interest, and comparable sales.

Think of it as fine-tuning the strategy, not a failure.

In fact, many homes that receive a price adjustment end up seeing renewed attention almost immediately. Buyers who may have been watching the property suddenly take a second look, new buyers discover it in their search results, and showings often increase again.

In a market like the one we’re in today, price adjustments are simply part of the process of finding the sweet spot where buyers feel comfortable making an offer.

The takeaway for sellers is this—pricing strategically from the beginning is important, but being flexible and responsive to the market is just as important. For buyers, opportunities can appear when a home that was slightly out of reach a few weeks ago suddenly becomes a perfect fit.

Sold Market

Since March 1st, 277 properties have sold across East Texas. To give you a better picture of where activity is happening, I pulled a few numbers based on school districts:

• 16 properties sold in 112 of Longview ISD

• 19 properties sold in Hallsville ISD

• 19 properties sold in Kilgore ISD

These areas continue to see steady movement, which isn’t too surprising. School districts often play a big role in where buyers focus their searches, especially for families relocating or moving within the area.

Hallsville and Kilgore, for example, consistently draw buyers looking for that balance of strong schools, community feel, and proximity to Longview jobs and amenities. The 112 area (central Longview) of Longview ISD also continues to be popular thanks to its established neighborhoods and convenient location around town.

What this really shows us is that demand is still very much present in the East Texas market—it’s just more targeted than it used to be. Buyers are being thoughtful about where they want to land, and they’re paying close attention to things like location, schools, and overall value.

Want Weekly East Texas Market Updates?

I keep a close eye on the market every week—what’s selling, what’s sitting, pricing trends, and what buyers and sellers are actually doing right now. If you’d like to stay in the loop, I send out 2-4 emails per month with simple, helpful East Texas real estate updates that cover:

• local market trends

• pricing insights

• helpful tips for buyers and sellers

• things I’m seeing behind the scenes in transactions

Nothing spammy. Just useful info you can actually use!

If you'd like to get those updates, you can join my email list here: ETX Real Estate Market Update

It’s also a great resource if you have friends or family thinking about moving to East Texas, so feel free to share it with them!

CLICK HERE TO GET A FREE HOME VALUE REPORT.

I don’t just list properties…I SELL THEM! #getlistinwithkristin

Kristin Koonce, REALTOR®
(903)241-2608
kristinkoonce@gmail.com
www.kristinkoonce.com
BOLD Real Estate Group, Suzanne Smith, Broker/Owner