NORTH TEXAS HOUSING MARKET: LET'S TALK FACTS, NOT FEAR!

You've probably seen the headlines claiming H-1B families are abandoning homes, cars, and belongings across Celina and Melissa after losing their jobs.

But what's actually happening in our housing market?

As a North Texas REALTOR®, I believe numbers tell a much better story than sensational headlines.

HERE'S WHAT THE DATA ACTUALLY SHOWS:

According to Zillow's September 2026 housing data:

CELINA, TX
• Typical home value: $512,080
• Home values DOWN 8.9% year over year
• That's approximately $50,000 less in typical home value than a year ago.
• 72.2% of homes sold below asking price in August.
• Median time to go under contract: 72 days in September.

MELISSA, TX
• Typical home value: $422,481
• Home values DOWN 5.4% year over year.
• Homes typically take 63 days to go under contract.

COLLIN COUNTY
• Typical home value: $477,505
• Home values DOWN 4.7% year over year.

NOW, HERE'S WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING.

HousingWire reported that Celina had more than 7,000 finished residential lots in the first quarter of 2026, representing approximately 50 MONTHS of lot supply at the construction pace reported then.

That's more than FOUR YEARS of buildable lot inventory!

Important distinction: Those are lots available for construction, NOT 7,000 abandoned homes.

Bloomberg also reported in June that one North Texas builder saw its share of South Asian buyers drop from approximately 70% to below 30%, with 125 unsold luxury homes at that time.

That's a significant shift in buyer demand.

WHAT ABOUT THE H-1B FAMILIES?

Here's what we know.

H-1B workers who lose their jobs generally have up to 60 days to secure another qualifying employer or pursue other eligible immigration options.

However, the viral claims that more than 10 families abandoned their homes, vehicles, and belongings in Celina and Melissa have NOT been independently verified.

There's a difference between a slowing housing market and a mass exodus of homeowners.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

If you're BUYING, increased negotiating power, builder incentives, and price reductions may create opportunities we haven't seen in years.

If you're SELLING, realistic pricing and understanding your competition are more important than ever.

And if you're simply watching the market, remember that declining home values don't automatically mean foreclosures are skyrocketing.

MY TAKE?

Our North Texas housing market is adjusting. Builders are facing increased competition, buyers are becoming more selective, and sellers can no longer assume their homes will command yesterday's prices.

But here's something worth remembering: Real estate is LOCAL. What happens in one Celina neighborhood doesn't necessarily reflect what's happening across all of Collin County.

Don't make a half million dollar decision based on a viral headline. Make it based on facts.