Thursday, September 17, 2026 / by Lauren Kerschen
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.76% the week of September 10, 2026, directly raising monthly payments for Southern DFW buyers. Higher rates compress affordability but also create negotiating opportunities, the right strategy depends on your price target, loan structure, and timeline.
How do rising interest rates affect home buying in Southern DFW?
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.76% for the week ending September 10, 2026, according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey. That rate is the single biggest affordability driver in the Southern DFW market right now, when rates move even a fraction of a point, your monthly principal-and-interest payment shifts, sometimes by more than you'd expect. The good news is that buyers who understand how rates work can adjust their strategy, target the right price range, and still find real value in markets like Arlington, Mansfield, and Fort Worth.
Key Takeaways
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate ave ...
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Monday, August 31, 2026 / by Lauren Kerschen
Midlothian is attracting real estate investors because of a massive active construction pipeline, major industrial anchors like Hillwood Crossroads Logistics Park, and corridor-based growth patterns that signal sustained long-term demand across both residential and commercial property types in southern DFW.
Why are investors paying attention to Midlothian new construction in 2026?
Midlothian is drawing serious investor attention because its active construction pipeline spans nearly 450 registered projects valued at billions of dollars, anchored by major industrial developments and supported by one of the fastest-growing corridors in southern DFW. The combination of industrial job creation, new residential supply, and a city government actively marketing its own growth profile makes Midlothian one of the more compelling investment stories in the Metroplex right now.
What's Actually Happening on the Ground in Midlothian
The numbers here are hard to ignore. As of Febru ...
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Thursday, August 27, 2026 / by Lauren Kerschen
Beyond your down payment, southern DFW buyers routinely face inspection packages, option money, survey fees, title company charges, HOA resale certificates, and utility deposits, costs that rarely appear in the listing price but can add up significantly before you get the keys.
What are the hidden costs of buying a home in Dallas–Fort Worth's southern suburbs?
Beyond your down payment and mortgage, buyers in southern DFW's suburbs typically encounter several overlooked line items: inspection packages (base fee plus add-ons), a separate option fee paid to the seller, a potential new survey, title company charges, HOA resale and transfer certificates, and utility deposits at move-in. None of these appear in the listing price, but together they represent real cash you'll need on hand before, and at, closing.
Why These Costs Catch Southern DFW Buyers Off Guard
I walk every buyer through a full cost picture before we write an offer. The purchase price is just the headl ...
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Wednesday, August 26, 2026 / by Lauren Kerschen
Property taxes in southern DFW are driven by a stack of county, city, school district, and special-district rates that vary sharply by location. Dallas County's 2025 adopted rate is $0.2155 per $100, but Dallas ISD adds $0.9938 and the City of Dallas adds $0.6988, making the combined bill one of the highest in the region. Texas homestead exemptions, including a $140,000 school-district exemption, can meaningfully reduce your taxable value.
How much are property taxes in Johnson, Ellis, and Dallas County for southern DFW buyers?
Property taxes in southern DFW are not a single number. They are a layered stack of rates set by your county, city, school district, and sometimes special districts. Depending on exactly where you buy, two homes at the same price can carry annual tax bills that differ by thousands of dollars. The Texas homestead exemption and the state's 10% appraisal cap can reduce what you actually owe over time, but only if you file correctly and only on a primary r ...
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Monday, August 17, 2026 / by Lauren Kerschen
Downsizing in Fort Worth: Finding Your Next Home
Fort Worth offers downsizers a wide range of affordable, low-maintenance options, from established central neighborhoods to newer master-planned communities and townhomes. With a median home value around $262,900 and diverse housing stock across Tarrant County, the city is one of the most practical downsizing markets in Texas.
What are the best options for downsizing in Fort Worth, TX?
Fort Worth offers downsizers a strong mix of affordable single-family homes, townhomes, and condo-style living across established and newer neighborhoods. The most recent American Community Survey data puts the city's median home value at $262,900, and with a metro population of over 8.3 million, there's genuine depth to the resale and new-construction inventory. The real question isn't just "smaller home", it's which neighborhood gives you lower maintenance, better accessibility, and proximity to the services that matter most to y; ...
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