Buying a Home in Bryan-College Station Right Now: The 5 Biggest Concerns (and What to Do About Each)

If you're thinking about buying your first home in Bryan or College Station, you've probably heard a lot of mixed messages. Rates are high. Taxes went up. Insurance is expensive. But there are also more homes for sale than there have been in years.

So what's really going on? Here are the five biggest concerns we're hearing from buyers in Bryan-College Station right now, and a practical way to think about each one.

1. Mortgage rates are still around 7%

The average 30-year fixed rate was 7.32% in Freddie Mac's weekly survey on October 22, 2026. Texas A&M housing economist Yanling Mayer has pointed to high rates as one of the main reasons local home sales slowed this year, and local agents don't expect a big drop anytime soon.

What to do about it: Focus on the monthly payment, not the rate alone. Ask your lender to show you the full payment at a few price points, and ask about options like seller-paid closing costs or a temporary rate buydown. With homes sitting longer, many sellers are open to helping with those costs. If rates do fall later, refinancing may be an option, but buy a home whose payment works for you today.

2. Property taxes went up again

College Station adopted a city tax rate of about 53 cents per $100 of value for the new budget year. On a median-priced home of about $369,000, the city estimates that adds roughly $68 a year to the city portion of the bill. Brazos County also raised its rate by 5.66%, which county officials estimate adds about $95 to $100 a year on the county portion.

What to do about it: When you compare homes, look at the total tax rate for each address. City, county, school district and any MUD or PID all count, and two homes at the same price can have very different tax bills. Once you move in, file your homestead exemption right away. It's one of the easiest ways to lower your bill in Texas.

3. Homeowners insurance costs more than buyers expect

Insurance has become one of the biggest surprises for Texas buyers. The average Texas homeowners premium rose about 30% between 2019 and 2024, and research reported in August 2026 found that about two-thirds of Texas households can't afford the median home in their county once insurance and other housing costs are included.

What to do about it: Get insurance quotes early, ideally while you're still touring homes, not after you're under contract. Roof age, the home's age and claims history can all change the price a lot. Ask about wind and hail deductibles, and compare at least two or three quotes.

4. Starter homes are where the squeeze is tightest

Bryan-College Station has a young, growing population, much of it tied to Texas A&M. Local experts say entry-level buyers are feeling the most pressure, because rates, taxes and insurance all hit hardest at the lower end of the budget.

What to do about it: Widen your search a little. Townhomes, older homes in established neighborhoods and homes in Bryan can offer more space for the money. Also ask a lender about down payment assistance and first-time buyer loan programs. FHA, VA and USDA loans are worth a look if you qualify.

5. "Should I buy now or wait?"

This might be the biggest question of all. Here's what the local numbers show:

• The number of homes for sale was up about 30% from last year by the end of July.
• Home sales were down about 12% year over year in June.
• Homes that sold in July spent an average of about 90 days on the market.
• Sellers have been cutting asking prices by about 3% on average, roughly $9,000 to $10,000 in College Station.

Local agents describe it as a more balanced market. For buyers, that means more homes to choose from, more time to decide and more room to negotiate than in recent years.

What to do about it: No one can time the market perfectly. The right time to buy is when your budget, your job and your plans line up, and when you've found a home you'd be happy living in for several years. If that's you, this market gives you options you didn't have a couple of years ago.

The bottom line

Buying in Bryan-College Station takes more planning than it used to, but it's far from out of reach. If you know your full monthly cost (payment, taxes and insurance) and you have a plan, you can buy with confidence.

Want a step-by-step plan? Get our free First-Time Buyer Roadmap. It walks you through everything from your first lender call to the day you get your keys.

Prefer to talk it through? Call or text Trina at (512) 629-9050. We're happy to help you figure out what makes sense for you, with no pressure.

Sources: Freddie Mac weekly mortgage rate survey (Oct. 22, 2026); KBTX, Aug. 25, 2026; KBTX, July 31, 2026; KBTX, Aug. 28, 2026; Hoodline, Sept. 2026; Newsweek, Aug. 2026. This post is for general information and isn't financial, tax or legal advice.