As I sit down to compile the October numbers in early November, I always face the same dilemma. The rental data is already out, but the home sales statistics are still based on September's figures, which are the most recent.

So, for this summary, I will separate the rental data based on October and the sales data based on September, which was released in mid-last month. Mixing them can make the numbers look more appealing but can cloud judgment.

To get straight to the point, rents are either stable or have slightly decreased, while home prices are taking a breather. However, the speed of transactions and the number of contracts have definitely slowed down.

Let's start with rents. According to Trulia, the average rent in Dallas for October 2026 was $1,950 per month.

Compared to last month, there was no change, and it was $10, or 0.5%, lower than a year ago. There hasn't been a significant feeling of increase, and the numbers reflect that.

The data from Zumper is a bit clearer. The median rent for a one-bedroom in Dallas for October is reported at $1,313, which is a 9% decrease from a year ago.

Since the average and median values, as well as the methods of aggregation, differ, we shouldn't directly compare the numbers from the two sites. However, the trend is the same: they are not increasing.

The reason is supply. Over the past two years, new apartments have been pouring into the DFW area at record levels, and to fill those units, incentives like a month of free rent or discounts on management fees have become common.

However, the situation varies even within the same city. Areas with a concentration of new developments are experiencing fierce competition for incentives, while neighborhoods with many older, smaller complexes see much smaller discounts.

From a tenant's perspective, now is a good time to negotiate. If I were in that position, I would check the incentives at nearby new developments when I receive a renewal notice and bring those terms to discuss with the management office.

However, market forecasts are mixed. Some industry reports suggest that as new supply decreases, vacancies will drop, and rents may rise again.

So, if you can commit to a lease longer than a year, locking in the current price might be a good strategy. This is a decision that varies based on personal circumstances.

Now, let's move on to home sales. The most recent official data is from the MetroTex Association of Realtors, which released September statistics for single-family homes in North Texas on October 16.

The median sale price in September was $385,000, which is a 1% decrease from a year ago. In contrast, the average sale price was $509,534, which is a 4% increase.

The fact that the median price has decreased while the average price has increased suggests that high-end home sales have held up relatively well. This indicates that the market is not moving uniformly.

The number of transactions decreased by 7% to 6,759. More notably, the number of pending contracts dropped by 19% to 5,536 compared to a year ago.

Pending contracts are those that are expected to close in one to two months. Therefore, it seems unlikely that transaction volumes will rebound easily in October and November.

The inventory stands at 31,325 homes, a 2% decrease, with a supply of 4.3 months. Typically, when inventory exceeds six months, it is considered a buyer's market, so we are still close to a balanced situation.

The average time on the market is 62 days, which is two days shorter than a year ago. However, the ratio of actual sale prices to list prices is an average of 93.9%.

In simple terms, this means homes are selling for about 6% less than their list prices. This also signals that sellers often start with a high asking price before reducing it.

On the ground, this difference varies significantly by neighborhood. Properties in desirable school districts tend to sell relatively quickly, while those in areas with many new developments face frequent price adjustments due to builder incentives and competition.

Another issue this month is property taxes. In October, tax bills start arriving in mailboxes, and this year, the tax rate in Dallas has slightly decreased.

The city council passed the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on September 16, lowering the tax rate from 69.88 cents to 69.78 cents per $100. According to the city, this marks the 11th consecutive year of reductions.

However, a decrease of 0.1 cents is hardly noticeable on the bill. If the assessed value has increased, the actual amount owed may still rise even with a lower tax rate, and school district or county rates may apply separately.

So, when you receive your bill, I recommend checking the assessed value section before looking at the tax rate. You should also verify that the homestead exemption has been applied correctly.

Interest rates fluctuate significantly from week to week, so I won't include specific numbers here. It's best to check the average 30-year fixed rate published by Freddie Mac every Thursday for the most accurate information.

In summary, rents are leaning towards tenants due to supply, while home sales are cooling off in terms of volume before prices.

I believe that the current market presents an opportunity for genuine buyers who are not overextending themselves. This is especially true for buyers who can negotiate calmly based on the difference between list prices and actual sale prices.

I will revisit the October sales statistics when the MetroTex report comes out in mid-November. For aspects like taxes or loans that vary based on personal circumstances, be sure to consult with a professional.