Pending Home Sales For January Hit Record Lows: How Will This Impact New Braunfels and Houston, Texas

What Record-Low Pending Home Sales Mean for New Braunfels & Houston’s Luxury Market

The latest Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) report shows that home purchase contracts have dropped to their lowest levels since 2001. This shift is largely due to rising mortgage rates, elevated home prices, and a slow start to 2025. But what does this mean for the luxury home market here in New Braunfels and Houston? 

Let’s break it down—because market shifts don’t just create challenges; they create opportunities.  

Luxury Buyers: The Window of Opportunity  

In the past two years, high demand meant luxury buyers had to move fast and pay top dollar for desirable homes. With fewer pending sales today, that urgency has eased—but not forever.  

Here’s what smart buyers need to know:  
🦋Less competition: Many buyers are sitting on the sidelines due to rates—this gives you more negotiating power on price and terms.  
🦋Sellers are more flexible: In a shifting market, motivated sellers are more willing to consider offers, concessions, or incentives.  
🦋Rates won’t stay high forever: When they eventually drop, demand will return—and prices will adjust accordingly. Buying now locks in value before the next surge.  

If you've been waiting for the right time to purchase in New Braunfels, Vintage Oaks, Copper Ridge, or The Houston Heights, this could be your best chance to buy a luxury home with leverage.

Luxury Sellers: Why Strategic Pricing is Everything

If you’re considering selling, you need more than just a “For Sale” sign—you need a strategic approach that A. Elliott Advisors provides.

Here’s how sellers should respond to the market shift:  
📉 Overpricing will push buyers away. In a market with fewer pending sales, pricing too high means your property could sit longer than expected thus showing more days on the market.  The South which includes Texas saw a 9.2% drop in pending sales for January.
📈 Well-positioned luxury homes still sell fast. Homes in desirable neighborhoods such as, Copper Ridge, Vintage Oaks, Havenwood, and Rockwall Ranch that are priced competitively and marketed correctly are still moving.  
Expert marketing is non-negotiable. With fewer buyers in the market, your home needs to stand out. Luxury staging, high-quality listing photography, and targeted digital exposure are paramount.

Luxury real estate in the Texas Hill Country, New Braunfels and Houston is still highly desirable—but in today’s market, it’s all about positioning with A. Elliott Advisors Real Estate, LLC. 

How I Can Help You Navigate This Market

As a trusted real estate advisor, Andréa Elliott understands market shifts and takes strategic actions—whether you’re looking to buy at the right moment or sell for top dollar in a slower market. 

📍 Buying? I’ll help you find opportunities that others miss—and negotiate the best deal possible.  
📍 Selling? I’ll position your home to attract the right buyers and maximize your return.  

This market requires an expert guide, and I’m here to help you make the best decision for your real estate goals. 

Let’s talk. Contact me today to discuss your next move in New Braunfels or Houston’s luxury market's.