As we approach 2025, Kaufman County's housing market is exhibiting mixed signals: while home prices are on the rise, the overall volume of sales has experienced a significant decline.
Recent data from Orchard reveals that homes sold in the last 30 days have reached a median price of $355,000, reflecting a substantial increase of 13.4% compared to the same period last year. Additionally, the median price per square foot has risen to $170.04, marking a 4.6% year-over-year increase.
Despite buyers paying more for homes than they did a year ago, the total number of completed sales has dropped sharply. Only 117 homes were sold in the past 30 days, in stark contrast to 284 sales during the corresponding period last year, indicating a steep decline in closed transactions.
This juxtaposition of rising prices and declining sales volume suggests that the homes which do sell tend to be newer or more desirable listings, while many others linger on the market or experience reduced buyer activity.
A Market That’s Shifting
Data earlier this year indicated an increase in inventory and longer days on the market across the county, a trend that appears to be persisting:
Buyers now have access to a greater number of listings compared to 2023 and early 2024.
Sellers are becoming aware that buyers are more selective and are hesitant to engage in bidding wars.
Persistently high interest rates continue to impact affordability, contributing to the slowdown in sales.
Even with fewer closings, the rising prices indicate that demand has not entirely dissipated; rather, it has become more discerning. Homes that are move-in ready, located in desirable neighborhoods, or featuring modern amenities are still commanding strong offers.
What This Means for Kaufman County and Forney
Buyers: You may find better negotiating opportunities on homes that have been on the market longer, even as prices remain elevated for newly listed or upgraded homes.
Sellers: Your pricing strategy is crucial. Homes listed at too high a price are sitting unsold, while competitively priced homes are still moving.
Market Watchers: The drop from 284 closed sales to 117 illustrates a significant slowdown in market activity, even as median prices continue to rise — a clear indication that the market is cooling, rather than collapsing.
The Bottom Line
Kaufman County remains an attractive location, bolstered by ongoing growth in Forney, Crandall, Terrell, and neighboring areas. However, the once frenzied market of the pandemic era has transitioned into a more cautious and selective phase. The rising prices reflect strong buyer interest for the right properties, while the declining sales numbers indicate that many buyers are waiting, negotiating more rigorously, or being priced out by interest rates.
