Mineral Wells Area News

By Christy Dorr, Cornerstone Home & Ranch

Just about every day, someone asks me, “How’s real estate in Mineral Wells?” Depending on their time, my mood, the weather, and whether I’ve had lunch yet, I’ll either give the short answer—“It’s OK… getting better”—or the longer version, full of the challenges that come with selling and listing homes and working with a wide range of personalities and industry-adjacent partners.

In reality, our local market isn’t all that complex. Compared to similarly sized markets throughout North, Central, and West Texas, Mineral Wells remains steady and healthy—right in the middle of the pack. It’s more affordable than the state average, yet stronger than several rural counterparts.

According to research gathered through OpenAI, “Mineral Wells, TX, demonstrates one of the most balanced and resilient housing markets among its peer group—flat pricing, moderate inventory, and continued buyer activity despite statewide slowdowns. It’s positioned as an affordable, steady-growth environment ideal for both first-time buyers and investors seeking long-term stability.”

Personally, this past year has felt slower. Listings seem to sit longer, and for a while, nearly every agent I know was commenting on the lack of buyers. However, when I compare Cornerstone Home and Ranch’s sales and volume from January 1 through November 9 of this year to the same period last year, they’re almost exactly the same.

A third-quarter report shows a median sales price drop of about $7,000 in single-family homes—from $230,000 in 2024 to $223,000 in 2025. Active listings are up nearly 17%, but roughly the same number of homes are selling—and they’re closing about ten days faster than last year.

Is it a Seller’s Market or a Buyer’s Market?

Well… yes, it is. It’s about even, leaning toward buyers. There are plenty of properties to choose from, and sellers must be willing to drop prices slightly from last year’s averages or offer buyer concessions.

The Biggest Challenge: Older Homes

As steady as things are, the biggest hurdle in our local market is the age of our housing stock.

Over 39% of single-family homes in Mineral Wells are between 56 and 75 years old. Nearly 20% are even older. Only 27% were built after 1970. And just 1.7% have been constructed since 2020.

With older homes come issues: outdated interiors, needed repairs, compromised foundations, aging systems, and other costly problems.

Sellers sometimes list a non-updated house at a “move-in-ready” price, planning to negotiate repairs and concessions later. Unfortunately, an inflated list price can discourage showings altogether. Buyers either stay away or walk away—often preferring newer or updated homes, even if that means sacrificing lot size, landscaping, or mature trees.

Reasons for Optimism

Despite the challenges, I’m encouraged by:

A growing number of investors renovating older homes, and More builders constructing affordable new homes, particularly in the southwest quadrant.

These new and restored properties are transforming neighborhoods and aligning with the slow, steady upward trajectory of a community becoming more appealing through the combined efforts of people who love Mineral Wells and invest in her future.

And that’s a good thing—because everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home.

About the Author

Christy Dorr is the owner and broker of Cornerstone Home and Ranch, LLC in Mineral Wells. A resident of the community for more than 40 years, she cherishes the city’s unique neighborhoods, landscapes, cultural diversity, artistic spirit, and—most of all—its people.

Community Voices is a continuing series from Mineral Wells Area News featuring columns written by local leaders and community partners. Each installment offers insight into the work happening across Palo Pinto County—in their own words.

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