Hello Fort Worth Insiders!
Big week.
Carrier is putting more than $600 million and about 1,500 jobs into a new plant at AllianceTexas. On top of that, home contracts across the country just hit the lowest level ever recorded. Another one: Texas shut down its online permit system after data center permits slipped through the state's pause. And a concrete plant planned near a future Mansfield school was denied, while Keller ISD voters decide on an $828 million bond on Nov. 3. Oh, and the mortgage rate eased to 7.32%, so Clive has some thoughts. Hold onto that 1,500 jobs number. It is a lot of new paychecks in one place.
What it all means for your home: if you are buying, fewer buyers means more room to ask for monetary or repair help. If you are selling, price it right on day one. If you are staying ahead, watch where the jobs and the big projects land.
Here's everything you need to know.
Let's go,
Kirstine
Carrier Picks Fort Worth for a $600 Million Plant
Carrier will invest more than $600 million over three years in a new plant in AllianceTexas. It will have over 1 million square feet and about 1,500 jobs. Work is set to start in 2027. The plant will build large commercial chillers, which cool big buildings. Carrier says orders are at a record high.
Why it matters to you: 1,500 steady jobs near Alliance means more people looking for homes in north Fort Worth, Keller, Haslet and Roanoke.
Source: Carrier press release
Home Contracts Hit the Lowest Level on Record
The National Association of Realtors says its pending home sales index fell 7.3% in September, to 66.0. That is the lowest reading ever. Contracts are down 11.3% from a year ago. In the South, which includes Texas, they fell 8.2% in a month and 12.0% in a year. NAR's chief economist blamed fast-rising mortgage rates.
Why it matters to you: Fewer buyers are signing. That gives buyers room to negotiate. Sellers need a sharp price from the first day.
Source: National Association of Realtors
Texas Shuts Its Online Permit System
On Oct. 21, the state environmental agency (TCEQ) turned off the part of its online system that approves some permits automatically. Watchdog groups found that stormwater permits for big data center sites were approved after the governor ordered a pause. Now every application must be delivered in person, so staff can check it fully first. TCEQ also suspended the permits the groups pointed out.
Why it matters to you: Data centers that are not using updated greener systems use a lot of power and water. Slower permits could change which projects move ahead near fast-growing areas & it could help us secure more “green focused” projects moving forward.
Source: The Texas Tribune
State Denies a Concrete Plant Near Future Mansfield Schools
Texas regulators denied the air permit for a concrete batch plant at 5428 E. FM 1187, between Burleson and Mansfield. The site is about 600 feet from a future Mansfield ISD school, with 26 homes across the road. The case was dismissed "with prejudice," so the company cannot refile the same one.
Why it matters to you: What gets built next door can change a home's value. Check zoning and permits near any home you want to buy.
Source: Hoodline
Keller ISD Voters Decide on an $828 Million Bond
On Nov. 3, Keller ISD voters will vote on five separate bond items totalling $828.11 million. Most of it, $756.3 million, is for roofs, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical and safety work, plus a partial rebuild of Keller Middle School. The district says the plan keeps its debt tax rate at $0.33.
Why it matters to you: Bonds can affect your tax bill and how schools are funded. Read each item before you vote.
Want me to help you keep an eye out for future votes & give a breakdown on each item they cover? Reply back & tell me if you do.
Source: Community Impact
💰 FOUNDATION TO FUNDING WITH CLIVE IN MORTGAGES - He built the homes. Now he funds them. #FoundationToFunding
Clive's Take: A Small Dip. Same Big Payment.
Quick one this week. The 30-year fixed rate is 7.32% (Freddie Mac, Oct. 22). That is down from 7.40% last week, and up from 6.19% a year ago. Fannie Mae's latest forecast, from mid-October, has rates near 7.4% for the rest of 2026. So this dip may not last. Buyers are starting to stop waiting. They are asking sellers for help and locking their rate.
Here's what's actually moving the payment right now in Fort Worth:
Seller help. Fort Worth homes sold for 96.5% of the first asking price in September (NTREIS). On the $335,000 median, 3% in help is $10,050.
2-1 buydown. On a $300,000 loan at 7.32%, the payment drops about $391 a month in year one and about $200 in year two. That is principal and interest only.
Price versus rate. The Fort Worth median rose 0.4% in a year (NTREIS). The rate rose from 6.19% to 7.32%. On $300,000, that is about $226 more a month.
Lock versus float. Every 0.10 point is about $20 a month on $300,000. A lock stops the next step up.
One thing to know: the Mortgage News Daily rate moves every day, while Freddie Mac's moves once a week. Ask for a quote on the day you plan to lock.
Clive does VA, FHA, Conventional, DSCR, Profession-Based Loans and more. Reply and see what you qualify for at today's numbers.
📍 Reply with APPLY to connect with Clive or Click Here NMLS #2639452
This Week Around Fort Worth
This evening (Sunday, Oct. 25)
Hunter’s Moon Halloween Paddle, 5 pm, TC Paddlesports at Panther Island. It’s free.
Spectrum Chamber Ensemble Halloween concert, 5 pm, $20.
Meet the Chef & Winemaker, 6 pm, Central Market. Chef Jon Bonnell and winemaker Dave Phinney, $125.
Hovvdy, 8 pm, Tulips FTW. Tickets start at $51.
Monday to Wednesday
I only found Kinda Kinks, a pop/rock show, on Wed., Oct. 28 at 7:30 pm at Arlington Music Hall. Tickets start at $61. The listings I could reach had little for early in the week.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Garden Bros Nuclear Circus at Panther Island Pavilion, 4:30 and 7:30 pm. It runs daily through Halloween, and tickets start at $70.
PBR Stockyards Showcase, 7:30 pm, Cowtown Coliseum.
Morrissey, 8:20 pm, Dickies Arena.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics, 8:45 pm, Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
The Smithereens, 9 pm, Billy Bob’s.
Friday, Oct. 30
Teddy Swims, 7 pm, Dickies Arena.
Fort Worth Symphony, Beethoven’s Pastoral, 7:30 pm, Bass Hall. It repeats Saturday at 7:30 pm.
Stockyards Championship Rodeo, 7:30 pm, Cowtown Coliseum.
Easton Corbin, 10 pm, Billy Bob’s.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Treat Street Stockyards Spooktacular, noon to 4 pm, Exchange Lawns, Stockyards Station and Mule Alley. Trick-or-treating for kids 12 and under, face painting and a Halloween show.
TCU vs. Kansas, 2:30 pm, Amon Carter Stadium.
Stockyards Championship Rodeo, 1:30 and 7:30 pm.
DJ Shadow, 8 pm, Tulips FTW.
🏡 I'm Kirstine Openshaw, Top 250 Fort Worth Texas Realtor.
