Real estate
BY LIZZY SPANGLER
Home Edition
2026
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HAR CEO, President René Galvan discusses the organization, Houston’s real estate market
normalized market, and that’s a good thing for both buyers and sellers. Houston has largely returned to pre-pandemic levels, while many major metros across the country are still working toward that same stability. What factors, economic or otherwise, do you see a ecting the Houston housing market? A ordability continues to be the biggest factor shaping our market, as well as the U.S. housing market overall. Here in Houston, there’s steady demand, but many buyers are feeling the impact of volatile mortgage rates, which directly a ects what they can comfortably a ord each month. There’s also the rising cost of homeowners insurance. It’s no longer just about the home price. Buyers need to look at the full monthly cost of ownership, and insurance premiums can vary signi cantly depending on location and risk factors.
René Galvan was appointed the new CEO and president of the Houston Association of Realtors in February, as previously reported. Galvan succeeded Bob Hale, who retired Jan. 31. In an interview, Gal- van discussed his background, what HAR does and the real estate market in the Greater Houston area. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Visit communityimpact.com for more. When it comes to the housing market in the Greater Houston area, what trends are you seeing? The Houston market continues to nd its balance. Inventory is expanding, which means buyers have more options, and we’re seeing home prices level out in many areas. Homes are also taking a bit longer to sell. That’s giving buyers more time to make decisions and bringing negotiations back into play. Even with some interest rate volatility, activity remains steady. Overall, it’s a healthier, more
Can you speak to the near future of the Houston housing market? What do you see happening? I believe we’ll continue to see a more normalized market. That said, there are still some external factors that we need to watch. Mortgage rates have been volatile in recent weeks, and that’s largely tied to broader economic conditions, including in ation and geopolitical issues, such as the ongoing con ict involving Iran. We’ve already seen how that kind of instability can push rates higher and impact consumer con dence. The good news for Houston is that we tend to be more resilient than many markets.
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