Forney, Texas Real Estate Market Update: October 2026
Mortgage rates have been high all fall. Freddie Mac's 30-year fixed average reached 7.40% on October 8, 2026, the seventh weekly increase in a row and the highest level since November 2023. It held at 7.40% on October 15, then dipped to 7.32% on October 22. A year ago it averaged 6.19%.
In Forney, those rates have turned the market firmly in buyers' favor. According to the latest North Texas MLS data from NTREIS and Texas A&M, the median single-family sale price in Forney was $349,900 in September 2026, up 7.7% from $324,750 a year earlier. That headline looks strong, but it's misleading. The average sale price fell 2.5%, price per square foot fell 2.3%, pending sales dropped 37%, and months of inventory jumped from 3.9 to 6.5.
Forney is one of the clearest buyer's markets in DFW right now. That's an opportunity for buyers and a challenge for sellers competing with active builders.
This update covers what the September numbers show, why the median is misleading, how Forney compares with Kaufman County, Rockwall, Fate, and Royse City, what concessions buyers are getting, what today's rates mean for your monthly payment, and what buyers and sellers should do this fall.
Key Takeaways
- The median sale price rose 7.7% to $349,900 in September 2026 (NTREIS/TAMU), but the average fell 2.5% to $351,609 and price per square foot fell 2.3% to $149.57. Values are flat to slightly down; the median rose because of which homes sold.
- This is a small sample. Forney closed only 47 single-family sales, down 24% from 62, so monthly numbers can swing a lot.
- Inventory has surged. Active listings rose 15% to 315, and months of inventory jumped to 6.5, above the roughly 6-month balanced mark, Kaufman County (6.0), and DFW (4.3).
- Buyers have strong leverage. The median home sold for 91.0% of list price, about $31,500 below asking on a $349,900 home.
- Concessions are the norm. In ZIP code 75126, 71.9% of sales included seller concessions, averaging $10,445 (DirectList, NTREIS-sourced).
- Pending sales fell 37% (37 vs. 59), and Forney ranks 81st of 89 DFW cities for competitiveness.
- Rates eased slightly. The 30-year fixed was 7.32% on October 22, down from 7.40% the two weeks before.
What the September 2026 Numbers Show
Our main source is the NTREIS Monthly MLS Summary Report for September 2026, prepared by the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M and released in early October. It's based on closed MLS sales. Builder-direct and other non-MLS sales are excluded, which is important in Forney, where new construction is a big share of the market.
Forney Single-Family Homes: September 2026 vs. September 2025
| Metric | Sept. 2026 | Sept. 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $349,900 | $324,750 | +7.7% |
| Average sale price | $351,609 | $360,460 | −2.5% |
| Closed sales | 47 | 62 | −24.2% |
| Median days on market | 91 | 110 | −19 days |
| Active listings | 315 | 273 | +15.4% |
| Months of inventory | 6.5 | 3.9 | +2.6 |
| Median price per sq. ft. | $149.57 | $153.09 | −2.3% |
| Sold-to-list price ratio | 91.0% | 92.4% | −1.4 pts |
| New listings | 77 | 59 | +30.5% |
| Pending sales | 37 | 59 | −37.3% |
Source: NTREIS/Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center, September 2026 MLS Summary Report. Year-over-year changes are our calculations from the report's side-by-side figures.
Why the median rose while values didn't
A 7.7% jump in the median sounds like good news for sellers. It isn't the whole story:
- The sample is small. With 47 sales, a few homes at one price point can move the median significantly.
- The average and price per square foot both fell. The average dropped 2.5% and $/sq. ft. dropped 2.3%. When the median rises but those fall, it's a sign the mix of homes that sold changed, not that typical homes gained value.
- Every other measure is weaker. Inventory is up, pending sales are down, and the sold-to-list ratio fell.
Our read: Forney values are flat to slightly down, roughly 2% lower on a per-square-foot basis, and buyers have more leverage than they've had in years.
What other data sources show
| Source | Measure | Figure | Year-over-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTREIS/TAMU (Sept. 2026) | Median sale price, single-family | $349,900 | +7.7% |
| Redfin (3 months ending Sept.) | Median sale price | $331,342 | −5.9% |
| DirectList, ZIP 75126 (Sept. 2026) | Median sale price | $331,053 | −4.3% |
| Zillow ZHVI (Sept. 30, 2026) | Typical home value (estimate) | $303,277 | −4.8% |
| NTREIS, Kaufman County (Sept. 2026) | Median sale price | $305,000 | −4% |
A few notes on reading this table:
- Every source except the single-month MLS median shows a decline of about 4% to 6%. That supports our read that the 7.7% gain is a mix effect.
- Redfin uses a three-month window. It reports $149 per sq. ft. (−2.6%), a 58-day median market time, about 106 homes sold over three months (−8.9%), and 51.3% of homes with price drops.
- DirectList's data is for ZIP 75126, which includes part of Heath, so it isn't a perfect match for Forney city limits. It shows 8.1 months of supply and 65.1% of homes selling below list.
- Zillow's ZHVI is an estimate of typical home value, not a sale price.
Inventory, Days on Market & Buyer Leverage
Inventory is well above balanced
Active listings rose from 273 to 315, and new listings jumped 30.5% to 77, while pending sales fell 37%. Months of inventory climbed to 6.5, past the roughly 6-month mark that separates a balanced market from a buyer's market. DirectList's ZIP-level figure is even higher at 8.1 months.
Homes are slow to sell, but a bit faster than last year
The median Forney home took 91 days to sell in September, down from 110 a year ago. That's still well above Kaufman County (77 days) and DFW (62 days). Expect about three months from listing to closing on a typical sale.
Buyers are getting big discounts and concessions
At a 91.0% sold-to-list ratio, the typical home sold about 9% below its final list price, roughly $31,500 on a $349,900 home. On top of that, DirectList reports that 71.9% of sales in ZIP 75126 included seller concessions, averaging $10,445, such as closing-cost help or rate buydowns.
Why does Redfin show 98.2% sale-to-list? Redfin reports a 98.2% sale-to-list ratio over three months, much higher than the MLS's 91.0%. The two sources use different time windows and calculation methods, and a ratio measured against the list price after cuts will look much stronger. With more than half of Forney homes taking price drops, a home can sell close to its final price while still selling far below where it started.
How competitive is Forney right now?
One quick way to gauge demand is pending sales divided by active listings. The NTREIS report ranks 89 DFW cities this way:
| City | Pending ÷ Active ("Hotness") | Rank of 89 |
|---|---|---|
| Crowley | 30.8% | #7 |
| Allen | 20.2% | #43 |
| Denton | 17.7% | #57 |
| Waxahachie | 17.5% | #58 |
| Forney | 11.7% | #81 |
Forney is among the least competitive markets in the report, which is good news for buyers.
Forney vs. Kaufman County, DFW & Neighboring Cities
| Area | Median Sale Price | Sept. 2025 Median | Months of Inventory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forney | $349,900 | $324,750 | 6.5 |
| Mesquite | $267,750 | $289,000 | 3.8 |
| Royse City | $303,120 | $297,499 | 6.7 |
| Fate | $400,000 | $385,000 | 5.4 |
| Rockwall | $500,000 | $542,700 | 4.7 |
| Heath | $860,000 | — | 6.4 |
| Kaufman County | $305,000 (−4%) | — | 6.0 |
| DFW (all NTREIS) | $385,000 (−1%) | $390,000 | 4.3 |
Source: NTREIS/Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center, September 2026.
What the comparison shows
- Forney vs. Rockwall and Heath: Rockwall's median is about $150,000 higher, and Heath's is much higher still. Forney offers newer homes in the eastern metro for a fraction of those prices.
- Forney vs. Fate and Royse City: These are Forney's closest competitors for new-construction buyers. Royse City is cheaper with similar inventory (6.7 months). Fate costs more with slightly less inventory (5.4 months).
- Forney vs. Mesquite: Mesquite is about $82,000 cheaper and much tighter (3.8 months), but its housing stock is generally older.
- Forney vs. Kaufman County and DFW: The county median fell 4% to $305,000 on 253 sales (down 14%), with 6.0 months of inventory and 77 days on market. Forney is pricier than the county but similarly soft.
Townhomes, condos, and land
Forney had no townhouse or condo sales in September 2026. There were also no land sales, with 11 land listings active.
Forney rentals
Leasing picked up. In September, 35 Forney homes leased (up from 24) at a median rent of $2,185 (up from $2,138), with a 56-day median and 3.0 months of inventory. Kaufman County's median rent was $2,195 (+5%).
The Mortgage Rate Backdrop
| Freddie Mac PMMS Date | 30-Year Fixed | 15-Year Fixed |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 8, 2026 | 7.40% (7th straight weekly rise; highest since Nov. 2023) | — |
| Oct. 15, 2026 | 7.40% | — |
| Oct. 22, 2026 | 7.32% | 6.68% |
| About one year earlier | 6.19% | 5.44% |
What this means for your monthly payment
Using Forney's September median of $349,900 with 20% down (about $70,000), the loan is about $279,900:
| Scenario | Rate | Monthly Principal & Interest |
|---|---|---|
| 30-year fixed, a year ago | 6.19% | ~$1,713 |
| 30-year fixed, Oct. 22, 2026 | 7.32% | ~$1,923 |
| 30-year fixed, Oct. 8, 2026 | 7.40% | ~$1,938 |
| 15-year fixed, Oct. 22, 2026 | 6.68% | ~$2,466 |
Principal and interest only. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, HOA dues, and any MUD or PID assessments are extra and can be significant in Forney's master-planned communities.
At today's rate, the same loan costs about $210 more per month than a year ago. In Forney, that gap is very negotiable: with concessions averaging about $10,445 in ZIP 75126, a seller-paid rate buydown can offset much of the increase.
Schools & Why Buyers Choose Forney
- Forney ISD earned an overall C (79) in the preliminary 2026 TEA accountability ratings released August 14, 2026. Nearby districts include Rockwall ISD (A, 91), Kaufman ISD (B, 86), and Crandall ISD (C, 73). Check campus ratings for any home at TXSchools.gov.
- The "Antique Capital of Texas," with a small-town historic core.
- Location. Forney sits on US-80 and near I-20, about 20 to 25 miles east of downtown Dallas.
- Master-planned communities such as Devonshire, Windmill Farms, Travis Ranch, and Gateway Parks, with heavy new construction from builders including Trophy Signature, Pacesetter, and Highland.
- Affordability. Forney has some of the most affordable newer homes in the eastern metro.
Local Development Notes
According to recent City of Forney council agendas:
- Industrial park proposal. The October 20 agenda included a proposed multi-tenant industrial park on about 25.7 acres, replacing a previously planned 324,800-square-foot truck-distribution building (agenda).
- Infrastructure loan. The city is pursuing a $3.14 million infrastructure-bank loan for FM 1641 wastewater relocation and right-of-way.
- Village at Gateway retail. Plats are advancing at Village at Gateway, including lots for 7 Brew, EVO Entertainment, and other retail (agenda).
New retail and entertainment usually make a community more attractive over time, and road and utility work supports continued growth. Ask your agent what's planned near any home you're considering.
What Buyers Should Do Now
- Negotiate hard. Homes sold for about 91% of list, and most sales include concessions. Ask for a lower price and closing-cost help or a rate buydown.
- Ask for a rate buydown. On a ~$280,000 loan, a seller-funded buydown can reduce your payment more than an equal price cut.
- Compare resale with builder incentives. Builders in Devonshire, Windmill Farms, Gateway Parks, and elsewhere compete for the same buyers. Make them compete for you.
- Know the total payment. Check MUD/PID assessments, HOA dues, and property taxes, not just the price.
- Target listings with price cuts. Redfin reports more than half of Forney homes had price drops.
- Get fully pre-approved so you can move quickly on the best deal.
What Sellers Should Do Now
- Price realistically from day one. At 6.5 months of inventory and 91% sold-to-list, overpriced homes sit and then sell at a big discount.
- Plan on concessions. About 7 in 10 sales in ZIP 75126 included them. Build that into your plan and advertise it, for example, "seller will pay $10,000 toward a rate buydown."
- Compete with builders. Highlight what new construction can't offer: mature landscaping, upgrades, window coverings, and a move-in-ready home with no wait.
- Present the home well. With 315 active listings, buyers pass over homes that need work.
- Keep more of your equity. When prices are soft and concessions are common, commission costs eat into your net. A flat-fee listing can make a real difference (see below).
How OnDemand Realty Helps Forney Buyers and Sellers
Forney's market is full of moving parts: builder incentives, MUD and PID costs, ZIP-level data that doesn't match city limits, and a small number of monthly sales. OnDemand Realty's agents work the eastern metro and can help you make sense of it.
For buyers, we:
- Pull Forney comps by neighborhood and price per square foot before you make an offer
- Compare builder incentives with resale opportunities side by side
- Structure offers with concessions and rate buydowns to lower your monthly payment
- Check MUD, PID, HOA, and tax costs so you know the full payment
For sellers, we:
- Price your home based on current Forney sales and competing builder inventory
- Offer a flat-fee listing option so you keep more of your equity
- Market your home to buyers across DFW with professional presentation
With offices in Frisco, Plano, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Cedar Hill, OnDemand Realty serves Forney, Kaufman County, and the rest of the DFW Metroplex.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are home prices falling in Forney, TX? Slightly. The NTREIS median rose 7.7% to $349,900 in September 2026, but that's a small-sample mix effect. The average fell 2.5%, price per square foot fell 2.3%, and Redfin, DirectList, and Zillow all show declines of about 4% to 6%.
Is Forney a buyer's market? Yes. Forney had 6.5 months of inventory, homes sold at about 91% of list, and most sales in ZIP 75126 included seller concessions.
How long does it take to sell a home in Forney? The median was 91 days in September 2026, down from 110 a year earlier (NTREIS).
What concessions are Forney sellers offering? DirectList reports that 71.9% of sales in ZIP 75126 included concessions, averaging $10,445, often closing-cost help or rate buydowns.
How does Forney compare with Rockwall? Forney's median ($349,900) is about $150,000 below Rockwall's ($500,000), but Forney has more inventory (6.5 vs. 4.7 months), which gives buyers more leverage.
What are mortgage rates right now? Freddie Mac's 30-year fixed average was 7.32% and the 15-year was 6.68% as of October 22, 2026.
How much does it cost to rent a house in Forney? The median single-family lease in September 2026 was $2,185 per month, based on 35 leases (NTREIS).
How good are Forney schools? Forney ISD earned an overall C (79) in the preliminary 2026 TEA ratings.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Forney?
Forney is a buyer's market with plenty of inventory, real discounts, and widespread concessions. Buyers can negotiate terms that would have been out of reach a few years ago, and sellers who price realistically and offer incentives are still selling. OnDemand Realty can help you make the right move.
Visit www.ondemanddfw.com or talk with an OnDemand Realty agent serving Forney and the DFW Metroplex.
Related: Allen, Texas Real Estate Market Update: October 2026
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Market data changes frequently and varies by source, property type, and neighborhood. Payment examples are estimates for illustration only. Talk with a qualified lender about financing, and with a real estate professional about your specific situation.
Sources
- NTREIS / Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center – Monthly MLS Summary Report, September 2026: https://www.mymetrotex.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/NTREIS-Monthly-MLS-Summary-Report-202609.pdf
- Freddie Mac – Mortgage Rates Decrease to 7.32% (Oct. 22, 2026): https://freddiemac.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/mortgage-rates-decrease-732/
- Freddie Mac – Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS): https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms
- Redfin – Forney, TX Housing Market: https://www.redfin.com/city/6808/TX/Forney/housing-market
- DirectList – Home values in ZIP 75126: https://direct-list.com/home-values/75126
- Zillow – Forney, TX Home Values: https://www.zillow.com/home-values/11481/forney-tx/
- City of Forney – City Council agenda, Oct. 20, 2026: https://www.forneytx.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202026-1312?html=true
- City of Forney – City Council agenda, early October 2026: https://www.forneytx.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10012026-1314?html=true
- CNAT Title – 2026 Texas school ratings compilation: https://cnattitle.com/resources/school-ratings/
- TXSchools.gov (TEA): https://txschools.gov
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