From 2025 to 2026: New Beginnings, New Homes, New Opportunities

 

From 2025 to 2026: New Beginnings, New Homes, New Opportunities

By Malcolm Davis | Homevets Realty

As we close the door on 2025 and step confidently into 2026, the New Year brings more than a change in the calendar—it brings fresh opportunities, renewed goals, and new possibilities in real estate across Central Texas.

2025 was a year of adjustment, learning, and resilience for buyers and sellers alike. Interest rates shifted, inventory evolved, and many families took a more thoughtful approach to major financial decisions. Through it all, one thing remained constant: the desire for stability, ownership, and a place to truly call home.

As we move into 2026, that desire is stronger than ever.

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Reflecting on 2025: A Year of Strategy, Not Speed

In 2025, the real estate market rewarded preparation over pressure. Buyers became more educated, sellers more strategic, and transactions more intentional. Gone were the days of rushing into decisions—successful moves were made by those who planned, understood their options, and partnered with knowledgeable professionals.

For military families in particular, 2025 highlighted the importance of timing, VA loan education, and working with an agent who understands PCS moves, deployments, and long-term planning. These lessons set the foundation for a stronger, smarter 2026.

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What 2026 Brings for Central Texas Real Estate

As we step into 2026, Central Texas remains one of the most resilient and opportunity-rich markets in the state. With continued growth around Fort Hood, Killeen, Harker Heights, Temple, and surrounding areas, demand for quality housing remains steady.

Here’s what buyers and sellers can expect in 2026:

• More balanced opportunities – Buyers may find better negotiation power, while sellers who price and prepare correctly will still see strong results.
  
  

• Educated buyers win – Understanding credit, loan options, and market timing will be key.
  
  

• VA loans continue to be a powerful tool – Especially for veterans and active-duty families looking to build long-term wealth.
  
  

• Local expertise matters more than ever – National headlines don’t tell the full story of what’s happening on your street or in your neighborhood.
  
  

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New Year, New Goals: Is 2026 Your Year to Move?

The New Year is a natural time to ask important questions:

• Is it time to stop renting and start building equity?
  
  

• Does my current home still fit my family’s needs?
  
  

• Am I ready to invest, relocate, or upsize?
  
  

• How can homeownership support my long-term financial goals?
  
  

Whether your answer is “now,” “later this year,” or “I just want to understand my options,” 2026 is the year to get informed and prepared—not pressured.

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A Commitment Going Into 2026

As we move forward, my commitment remains the same:
To educate first, guide honestly, and serve with integrity.

At Homevets Realty, my focus is not just closing deals—it’s helping families make confident decisions, especially those who have served our country. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest moves you’ll ever make, and you deserve an agent who treats it that way.

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Looking Ahead

2026 isn’t just another year—it’s a new chapter. Whether you’re planting roots, changing direction, or preparing for what’s next, real estate can be a powerful part of your journey when done the right way.

If homeownership, selling, or investing is part of your 2026 goals, let’s start the conversation early and build a plan that works for you.

Here’s to new beginnings, new keys, and new opportunities in 2026.

Happy New Year, Central Texas.

— Malcolm Davis
Real Estate Agent | Homevets Realty
Proudly serving Central Texas and our military families

I can’t Keep Blaming Anyone But Me

 

In 2026, I can’t Keep Blaming Anyone But Me

By Malcolm D.

I spent a long time pointing fingers in every direction but my own. I blamed people for lying to me, betraying me, using me, and walking away when I needed them most. I told myself they were the problem, they were the reason my trust was gone, and they were the reason I was unhappy.

But the truth is simple and painful: I can only blame myself for who I trusted, who I believed, and who I chose to love.

This is not about letting anyone off the hook for what they did. It is about finally taking responsibility for what I allowed.

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Trusting the Wrong People

I put trust in people I never should have trusted. I looked at red flags and called them “misunderstandings.” I heard the small voice in my gut telling me, “This isn’t right,” and I ignored it because I wanted to see the best in them.

• I believed words instead of watching patterns.

• I excused behavior instead of setting boundaries.

• I gave chance after chance to people who never earned the first one.

When it all fell apart, it was easy to say, “They did me wrong.” But at some point, I had to admit: I opened the door. I kept it open. I let them stay.

That part is on me.

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Loving People Who Didn’t Love Me Back the Same Way

I’ve loved people who never deserved to be more than a passing hello in my life. I poured time, energy, and heart into people who showed me, again and again, that I would never be more than an option to them.

• I prioritized people who never prioritized me.

• I showed up for people who disappeared when it was my turn to need something.

• I gave loyalty to people who only knew convenience.

Love is a choice, but so is where we put it. I chose wrong. Not once, not twice, but more times than I want to admit. And every time, I thought if I just gave a little more, waited a little longer, forgave one more time, they would finally become the person I hoped they were.

They didn’t. And that’s on them. But my decision to stay, to keep giving, to keep hoping when reality told me otherwise—that’s on me.

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Letting People Control My Feelings and My Life

Somewhere along the way, I let people take control of how I felt about myself. If they approved, I felt valuable. If they ignored me, I felt invisible. If they walked away, I felt like I wasn’t enough.

That’s a dangerous way to live.

• I allowed other people’s moods to ruin my day.

• I allowed their silence to become proof that I didn’t matter.

• I allowed their choices to dictate how I saw myself.

No one should have that much power over another person, but I handed that power over. I gave away the steering wheel to people who didn’t even know where they were going in their own lives.

In 2026, that has to end.

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Why I Can Only Blame Myself

When I look back, the common denominator in every hurt, every disappointment, every broken expectation is me.

• I stayed too long.

• I trusted too quickly.

• I ignored what I saw because I liked how I felt.

People will always be who they are. Some are genuine, some are selfish, some are broken, and some are just passing through. I can’t control their character, but I am 100% responsible for who I give access to my heart, my time, and my mind.

Owning that is not about self‑hate. It is about self‑honesty.

If I blame everyone else, I stay stuck. If I admit my role, I get my power back.

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The Cost of My Mistakes

My mistakes had a price:

• I lost trust—not just in other people, but in myself.

• I lost time I can’t get back.

• I lost pieces of my peace, my confidence, and my happiness.

There were nights I sat asking, “How did I end up here again?” Different face, same pattern. Different situation, same outcome. That repeated lesson finally made me realize the truth: life will keep giving the same test until I decide to answer differently.

I am not proud of all the choices I made. I am not proud of how long I tolerated things that broke me. But pretending I was only a victim keeps me from growing. Saying, “I played a part in this,” is the first step to making sure I never repeat it.

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What Changes in 2026

In 2026, I am done handing my life and my emotions to people who have not earned that privilege.

• I will listen when people show me who they are for the first time.

• I will set boundaries and keep them, even if it means losing people I thought I needed.

• I will stop chasing anyone who walks away.

• I will stop explaining my worth to people determined not to see it.

Most importantly, I will stop expecting broken people to handle me with care when they don’t even handle themselves with care.

This year is not about becoming cold or heartless. It is about becoming wise and intentional. It is about choosing peace over chaos, healing over history, and self‑respect over familiarity.

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What I Owe Myself Moving Forward

I owe myself:

• The honesty to admit when something isn’t healthy.

• The courage to walk away when I know I should.

• The discipline to heal, not just distract.

• The grace to forgive myself for who I used to be.

I can’t change the past. I can’t rewrite the choices I made or the people I chose. But I can change the pattern. I can decide that the version of me who ignored every warning sign does not get to run my life anymore.

I’ve learned that protecting my peace is not selfish—it is survival. Being selective with my trust is not bitterness—it is wisdom earned the hard way.

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Final Word

If you see yourself in any of this, know this: you are not weak for having a big heart. You are not foolish for wanting to believe in people. But there comes a moment when you have to stop asking, “Why do they keep doing this to me?” and start asking, “Why do I keep allowing it?”

In 2026, that is where I am. I blame myself—not to stay stuck in guilt, but to finally step into responsibility. Because once I own my choices, I can change them. Once I stop letting people control my life and my feelings, I can finally start living for myself.

Buying a home during Christmas

 Buying a home during Christmas can actually give you several quiet advantages that are easy to miss if you only shop in the busy spring or summer months. For the right family and the right situation, the holidays can be one of the smartest times of the year to make a move.

Because tool use is disabled for this reply, the points below come from general market patterns and experience rather than fresh data, so always check current local conditions before acting.

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Fewer Buyers, Less Competition

Most people do not want to move during the holidays. Between travel, school breaks, weather, and family events, many buyers decide to “wait until next year.” That can work in your favor.

• With fewer active buyers, you may face fewer multiple‑offer situations and bidding wars.

• You often get more time to think about an offer instead of making a rushed decision.

• Sellers who stay on the market during Christmas are usually serious, not just “testing” their price.

For your family, less competition can mean less stress, better negotiating room, and a higher chance of getting the home you want without overpaying.

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Motivated Sellers and Better Negotiation Power

Homes that are still listed at Christmas often fall into a few categories:

• Owners relocating for work or PCS orders

• Sellers who have already bought another home

• Listings that have been on the market longer than expected

Those sellers usually care more about getting the deal done than holding out for top‑of‑the‑spring pricing. That can translate into:

• More openness to price adjustments

• Willingness to help with closing costs or rate buydowns

• Flexibility on repairs, appliances, or move‑out dates

If your finances are solid and you can move with reasonable timing, you may secure terms in December that would be much harder to get in April.

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Year-End Financial and Tax Planning

Buying at the end of the year can also have financial planning benefits:

• If you close before December 31, any deductible mortgage interest and property taxes you pay in that year could count toward that year’s tax return (subject to IRS rules and your personal situation).

• You lock in your housing costs before the new year, which can make budgeting and planning for next year easier.

• If you are coming from a rental with a lease ending soon, aligning purchase and move timing around the holidays can minimize overlap between rent and a new mortgage.

It is smart to talk with a tax professional about how a late‑year purchase might affect your specific situation, but for many families, the timing lines up well with broader financial goals.

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Holiday Atmosphere Shows How a Home “Lives”

Christmas and the winter season can reveal details about a home you might not notice in spring:

• You can see how the house feels in cooler weather—drafts, heating performance, and natural light on short days.

• Holiday decorations, lighting, and gatherings can help you imagine hosting family events in that space.

• If you have kids, you get a sense of how cozy their rooms and common areas will feel during long evenings and school breaks.

In other words, you are evaluating the home during one of the most “lived‑in” times of the year, which can give you a clearer picture of daily life there.

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Practical Advantages for Families

Moving around Christmas is not easy, but it can come with practical perks if you plan well:

• School schedules: Many districts have a winter break, which can make it easier to move without kids missing as much class time.

• Time off work: Some adults can combine holidays, PTO, and weekends to manage packing, moving, and settling in.

• Sales on household items: End‑of‑year and post‑holiday sales can help you furnish or upgrade your new home at lower prices.

If you coordinate carefully, the holiday season can become a natural transition window instead of a disruption.

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Potential Downsides to Weigh Carefully

Christmas buying is not perfect for everyone. Before jumping in, consider:

• Weather and daylight: Depending on your area, cold or wet weather and shorter days can make showings and inspections more challenging.

• Limited availability: Some professionals—inspectors, contractors, movers, even lenders or title companies—may have reduced schedules or holiday closures.

• Distraction level: With everything else happening at Christmas, you must be disciplined about paperwork, deadlines, and decision‑making.

If you know your stress level will be off the charts, it might be better to prepare during the holidays and execute just after.

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How to Make a Christmas Purchase Work for You

If you decide to buy during Christmas might be right for your family, a few steps can make the process smoother:

• Get pre‑approved before you start serious shopping so you know exactly what price range and monthly payment fit your budget.

• Be clear on your “must‑haves” vs. “nice‑to‑haves” so you can move quickly on a good opportunity.

• Build extra time into your contract for appraisal, inspection, and closing to account for holiday schedules.

• Work with a real estate professional who is actually active and available during the season, not checked out until January.

With preparation and the right support, Christmas can shift from “worst time to buy” to “surprisingly smart time to make a move.”

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Final Thoughts

Buying real estate during Christmas will not be right for every household, but it can absolutely work out in your favor if:

• You are financially ready.

• You are willing to move when others are on pause.

• You use the quieter market and motivated sellers to negotiate wisely.

For some families, the best present under the tree is not wrapped—it is a set of keys and a fresh start in a home that fits where you are headed next.

Malcolm Davis - Homevets Realty LLC

Where the CTX Market Stands Right Now

 Central Texas real estate is closing out 2025 in a cooler, more balanced market, with buyers finally getting more choices and sellers adjusting to a slower pace and tighter affordability. This creates both opportunity and responsibility for anyone planning to move, invest, or PCS in the CTX over the next few months.

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Where the CTX Market Stands Right Now

The broader Texas housing market has shifted away from the extreme seller’s market of the pandemic years into a more balanced environment, with moderate price growth, more inventory, and eased competition in many areas. Prices across the state are still higher than pre‑2020 levels, but the speed of appreciation has slowed, and some pockets are seeing flat or slightly lower values compared with a year ago.​

For many Central Texas buyers, this means:

• More homes to choose from instead of scrambling over the same few listings.

• A better chance of negotiating on price, repairs, and concessions.

• The ability to make more thoughtful decisions instead of rushed, “write it now or lose it” offers.

For sellers, it means:

• Pricing strategy and presentation matter more than ever.

• Overpricing can quickly push a home into the “stale listing” category.

• Well‑prepared, realistically priced homes can still sell solidly but are less likely to see bidding wars.

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Prices, Inventory, and Days on Market

Across Texas, housing researchers describe a fall 2025 pattern of modest home sales, ongoing affordability challenges, and a gradual rise in active listings. Statewide, median prices show a small year‑over‑year increase overall, but the repeat‑sales index (which tracks price changes more cleanly) has been nearly flat month‑to‑month, suggesting the frantic price spikes are behind us.​

In many markets, months of inventory—how long it would take to sell all current listings at the current pace—has moved closer to or slightly above six months, which is often considered a sign of a balanced or even slightly buyer‑leaning market. Homes are also taking longer to go from active to closed, giving buyers more time to view, compare, and think before offering.​

For CTX buyers and sellers, this translates into:

• Less urgency but more need for a clear strategy.

• A market where both sides have leverage, depending on price point and condition.

• A return to fundamentals: good pricing, strong condition, and realistic expectations.

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Interest Rates, Affordability, and What That Means for You

Interest rates in 2025 have eased from their peak but remain higher than the ultra‑low levels of 2020–2021, keeping affordability front and center for many Texas households. Even with slightly lower rates, higher prices and insurance costs mean monthly payments can still feel tight, especially for first‑time buyers.​

For buyers:

• Getting pre‑approved and knowing your “comfortable” payment (not just your maximum approval) is critical.

• Rate buydowns, seller concessions, and carefully choosing the loan type can make a real difference in your budget.

• Shopping around for lenders and comparing estimates is no longer optional; it is part of being a smart CTX buyer.

For sellers:

• Understanding how rates affect buyer budgets helps you price strategically.

• Offering credits toward rate buydowns or closing costs can make your home stand out without simply slashing the price.

• Working with an agent who understands current lending patterns can help you structure deals that actually close.

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Opportunities and Risks for CTX Sellers

Sellers in Central Texas still benefit from strong long‑term demand driven by population growth, military presence, and ongoing in‑migration to the state. But the days of “list it high and watch the offers roll in” are over in many neighborhoods.​

Key points for sellers:

• Price with the market, not your memories. Overpricing in a cooling environment often leads to multiple reductions and a lower final number than starting at a realistic price.

• Invest in condition: clean, decluttered, repaired homes with strong curb appeal consistently outperform tired listings, especially when buyers have more options.

• Expect negotiations: many buyers will ask for help with closing costs, repairs, or rate buydowns. Plan for this rather than treating it as an insult.

If you are moving for PCS, job relocation, or family reasons, a solid pricing and timing strategy can still deliver a successful sale without sitting on the market for months.

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Opportunities and Risks for CTX Buyers (Especially Military)

For buyers—military and civilian—this late‑2025 market in CTX offers real advantages:

• More leverage: with rising inventory and longer days on market, you are less likely to waive protections just to be competitive.

• Negotiation power: You can often secure seller credits for closing costs or repairs instead of absorbing everything yourself.

• Time to think: you can actually compare multiple homes and make a deliberate choice.

However, there are still risks:

• Waiting too long on the “perfect” deal can cost you if rates or prices tick up again.

• Chasing cosmetic perfection and ignoring solid homes that need minor updates can limit options unnecessarily.

• Not understanding your VA, FHA, or conventional options can lead you to the wrong loan structure or payment.

Military buyers in particular should weigh:

• Likely time on station versus rent‑vs‑buy math.

• How BAH, VA benefits, and PCS timelines intersect with this more balanced but still shifting market.

• Exit strategies: renting the property out or selling cleanly when new orders arrive.

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How to Move Smart in CTX Right Now

Whether you are buying or selling in Central Texas as of December 18, 2025, a few principles stand out:

• Get educated on the current numbers in your specific city and price range, not just statewide headlines.

• Work with professionals—agent and lender—who are active in CTX right now and understand this cooler, more balanced phase.

• Focus on total monthly cost and long‑term fit, not just today’s interest rate or list price.

The CTX market at the end of 2025 is not about panic or frenzy; it is about strategy, preparation, and realistic expectations. Those who adapt to this new normal—rather than trying to replay 2021—are the ones who will make the most of the opportunities it offers.

Malcolm Davis

Real Estate Agent - Homevets Realty LLC