As of December 1, 2025: Mortgage rates are hovering in the low-6% range, with Freddie Mac’s last weekly survey showing the 30-year fixed at 6.23% and the 15-year at 5.51% (next update due the first week of December). That backdrop has kept motivated buyers in the hunt heading into the holidays. Freddie Mac+1
Rates & demand heading into year-end
Lower Treasury yields into late November helped pull mortgage rates down from mid-year highs. News outlets also noted improving buyer sentiment and a pickup in pending contracts as rates eased. Expect activity to remain steady through early December, especially for well-priced, move-in-ready homes. AP News+1
Local snapshot: Tyler & Longview
- Tyler: Average home value (ZHVI) ~$248,447, -0.5% YoY; typical time to pending ~52 days. Zillow
- Longview: Average home value ~$227,011, +2.3% YoY; typical time to pending ~58 days. Zillow
Zooming in at the ZIP level can sharpen pricing: for example Tyler 75701 trends differ from Longview 75605. Zillow+1
Texas market pulse
Texas home sales rose ~4.9% in Q3 2025 year over year, per Texas REALTORS®, with the fall season benefiting as rates drifted lower. That momentum typically supports holiday-season buyers who must move for job, school, or tax reasons. Texas Real Estate+1
December seller playbook (East Texas)
- Leverage seasonality: With fewer competing listings in December, serious buyers see your property faster.
- Right-price from day one: Anchor to very recent comps in your school zone/ZIP and adjust for condition to avoid mid-listing price cuts.
- Make the first week count: Deep clean, exterior touch-ups, lighting fixes, and a handyman punch list reduce retrades during the option period.
- Terms over price (retail): A modest rate buydown credit or home warranty can beat a larger price cut.
- Know your deadlines: Texas property tax bills arrive in October and become delinquent after Jan. 31 in most counties; homestead exemption filing is generally due April 30 (late-filing options vary by county). Texas Comptroller+1
Your selling options with East Texas Property Buyers
- As-Is Cash Offer (fast close): No repairs, no showings; we cover most closing costs—ideal if you want certainty before year-end.
- Creative Financing (Subject-To / Seller Finance): Preserve a great existing rate, solve for repairs, or bridge limited equity for a higher net.
- Wholetail/Hybrid: Light make-ready + quick MLS exposure for potentially better proceeds than a straight wholesale.
Next step: We’ll model Cash vs. Creative vs. Wholetail side-by-side so you can choose with clarity.
Get your offer → • How our process works → • Sell my house fast in Tyler →
FAQs — December 2025
Q1: Are rates actually lower now?
Yes. Freddie Mac’s latest weekly survey had the 30-year at 6.23% and 15-year at 5.51%, both down from a year ago. Weekly updates typically post on Thursdays. Freddie Mac+1
Q2: Is buyer activity improving into the holidays?
Pending home sales rose in October as rates eased, and several outlets report steadier buyer traffic heading into year-end. Reuters+1
Q3: Can I still close before the Jan. 31 tax deadline?
With a cash, as-is sale, many closings finish in 2–3 weeks (title-dependent), which can help you beat the Jan. 31 delinquency date. Texas Comptroller