Hello Fort Worth Insiders!
Big week.
We just became the number one new-home building market in all of America - 11,327 new permits in two months, knocking Houston off the top spot - except the bigger story might be closer to home, because Weatherford just approved 27 new homes off Old Dicey Road and Willow Park is adding a whole 450-home community, which is exactly why your drive keeps getting longer. On top of that, Texas pulled in nearly 73,000 new renters from California and New York, more than any other state, and another wave of data centres is landing across Wise and Parker County - bringing jobs but also fresh questions about water and power. And yes, even the lake is real estate now: Lake Weatherford's beloved Tavern on the Lake was saved, and the city is rebuilding the beach with a seawall and a new hike-and-bike trail (trails quietly lift home values more than people think). What does it all mean for your home? More choice and more builder deals if you're buying, a higher bar to beat if you're selling, and a west-side corridor worth watching closely either way.
Here's everything you need to know.
Here's everything you need to know.
Let's go,
Kirstine
DFW Is Now the No.1 New-Home Construction Market in America
Summary: The Dallas–Fort Worth metro just claimed the top spot in the country for new-home construction, with 11,327 new residential permits and 3,009 new-construction sales in Jan–Feb 2026 - knocking Houston out of first place.
Why it matters: Fort Worth, west Tarrant and the Parker County corridor are a big part of that number. For buyers it means more choice and more builder incentives, but the best lots still move fast. For sellers, new builds set the price ceiling your resale home competes against.
Source: CultureMap Dallas (22 May 2026) - https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/
Weatherford Approves 27 New Homes Off Old Dicey Road
Summary: Weatherford City Council took up Matthew Meadows Estates - 27 single-family homes on roughly 21 acres at 1609 Dicey Road, with 120–150 ft lots, 2,500 sq ft minimums and a shared park and trail.
Why it matters: Every PUD vote reshapes what the drive home looks like in five years. It is more rooftops and tax base, but also more cars and lights on a rural two-lane road - exactly the fast-growth-versus-country-feel tension Parker County buyers keep raising.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (May 2026) - https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/
450 New Homes Coming to Willow Park (Clearion Community)
Summary: Willow Park annexed 61+ acres along Crown Road near the Clear Fork of the Trinity River for Clearion - a master-planned community of 450 homes, from cottage to luxury homesites, plus a 17-acre future city park.
Why it matters: Willow Park has grown from under 2,500 residents in 2000 to nearly 7,800 today. A 450-home community reshapes home values, school capacity and buyer demand across east Parker County - and it is happening now, not 'someday'.
Source: Weatherford Democrat / Fort Worth Star-Telegram; City of Willow Park - https://www.weatherforddemocrat.com/news/
Lake Weatherford's Tavern on the Lake Survives - City Takes the Beach
Summary: A compromise keeps operator Randy Plyler's tavern, boat slips and bait shop in place while the City of Weatherford takes over the beach, planning restored sand, a seawall, restrooms, pavilions, volleyball courts and a hike-and-bike trail.
Why it matters: Public waterfront and trail connectivity are two of the strongest amenity drivers we track. A revamped Lake Weatherford lifts the whole Hudson Oaks–Weatherford corridor - the lake-adjacent lifestyle pulling buyers west out of Fort Worth.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Matthew Adams (29 May 2026) - https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/
Texas Is the No.1 Renter Magnet - 73,000 Net New Renters
Summary: A new Apartments.com analysis shows Texas gained nearly 73,000 net new renters from 2023–24, more than any other state, with most arriving from California and New York. New supply is handing renters real negotiating power.
Why it matters: Every renter is a future buyer. As leases end, this swelling pool becomes Fort Worth's 12-month buyer pipeline in Aledo, Burleson and Saginaw. Investors should lock quality tenants on longer leases; renters from CA/NY should run the buy-vs-rent maths now.
Source: CultureMap Dallas - https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/texas-no1-renters-migration/
Data Centre Boom Spreads Across Wise, Parker and West Fort Worth
Summary: CyrusOne is eyeing a roughly 2-million-sq-ft, nine-building campus with on-site gas power near the Wise/Jack County line; Fort Worth-based Black Mountain bought 2,000+ acres in Parker County; and Fort Worth is weighing incentives for a $1.1B Edged data centre at Veale Ranch.
Why it matters: Data centres mean jobs and tax base, but they also raise real water and power questions in a drought-prone region - even with closed-loop cooling. Land near these sites can move quickly, so it is a corridor worth watching for buyers and investors.
Source: Wise County Messenger / Fort Worth Inc. / Cardinal News - https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/developer-eyes-2b-data-center-campus-near-wise/
$142M I-35W Rebuild Begins Through Downtown Fort Worth
Summary: TxDOT's three-year, $142 million I-35W project includes a new bridge near Airport Freeway to ease travel north and east. More than 165,000 vehicles use that stretch near downtown every day; related North Tarrant Express work runs to 2030.
Why it matters: Infrastructure is finally chasing the growth. Expect construction headaches now, but improved access lifts long-term value along the corridor - useful context for anyone buying near downtown or commuting from the north side.
Source: Fort Worth Report / Community Impact (May 2026) - https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/
Supporting Market Data (NTREIS for home prices)
DFW median sold price: $385,000 (March 2026), down 2.5% year-over-year - NTREIS.
Closed sales: 8,229, up 4.8% year-over-year - buyers are still active.
Days on market: ~46 days, up from a year ago - more breathing room for buyers.
Inventory: ~36,000+ active listings across DFW, up ~8% year-over-year - edging toward a balanced market.
30-yr fixed rate: 6.53% (Freddie Mac, 28 May 2026), down from 6.89% a year ago.
💰 FOUNDATION TO FUNDING WITH CLIVE IN MORTGAGES
He built the homes. Now he funds them. #FoundationToFunding
Clive's Take: The Rate Isn't the Whole Story
Quick one this week. The 30-year fixed sits at 6.53% (Freddie Mac, 28 May). A year ago it was 6.89%, so we're down about a third of a percent. The forecast says slow drifting, not a big drop - so don't wait around for a magic number. Smart buyers have stopped waiting and started negotiating instead.
Here's what's actually moving the payment right now in Fort Worth:
Seller concessions are back. In the $350K–$500K range, sellers are giving 2–4% toward your costs. That's real money off your closing table.
The 2-1 buydown is the quiet winner. On a $350K loan it costs about $7,560 - and sellers are paying it. It knocks your rate down 2% in year one, 1% in year two. Lower payments while the market settles.
Prices have eased. The DFW median sold price is $385,000, down 2.5% from last year (NTREIS). Homes are sitting longer, so you have room to ask.
Lock vs. float? With rates flat and drifting, lock when you're under contract. There's no prize for gambling on a payment.
One thing to know: with more listings and longer days on market, you have leverage right now - use a local lender who can move fast when you find the one.
I do VA, FHA, Conventional, DSCR, Profession-Based Loans and more. Let's find out what you qualify for at today's numbers.
NMLS #2639452 & 2821824
Source: Freddie Mac / HousingWire / HousingWire / Mortgage News Daily
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🏡 I'm Kirstine Openshaw, Top 250 Fort Worth Texas Realtor. Clive and I own the Openshaw Realty Group, your insider guide to Living in Fort Worth. I get you the home. Clive gets you the loan. Fort Worth's been in my blood since 2006. I believe when you know more, you win more. That's why I track the pulse, so you always have the edge. Let's get you home. 🏡 🔑 NMLS #2639452 & 2821824
Clive is my husband and a One Real Mortgage Loan Originator.
📍 Want to discuss how any of our Featured Stories affects your real estate moves this year? Simply reply back here or call/text 682-442-3441.
Kirstine & Clive Openshaw
Founders of Fort Worth Pulse
Openshaw Realty & Home Loans @ REAL Broker
NMLS 2639452 & 2821824
📞 682-442-3441
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 www.OpenshawRealty.com
Social Platforms: @FortWorthPulse
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