🏗️ Why a $1B project north of Dallas has our attention

by Cindy Dunnican

Welcome back to At Home with Cindy & Cory.

This time of year tends to be quieter around DFW.

Not slow. Just steady.

And when things settle, the market starts telling clearer stories.

This time around, we’re sharing what January’s data is telling us, a few ways to enjoy the season close to home, and a development story that could quietly influence where demand builds next.

Think of this as your monthly check-in from us. Grounded. Local. Focused on what actually matters.

Inside this month’s edition:

🗓️ Around the Neighborhood: Gaga, Marathons, & St. Patrick’s Day
📈 What We’re Seeing: More buyer options, clearer terms for sellers
🏡 Homes of the Month: Two homes, two reasons we’d show clients
🚧 What’s Being Built: The $1B project north of Dallas
♥️ What We’re Loving: From our couch to yours

We’re glad you’re here ♥️

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

3 easy ways to enjoy the season around DFW

Late winter in DFW has a nice rhythm to it. The weather starts to soften. Calendars open up a little. And there’s just enough happening to make weekends feel full without feeling rushed.

These are the kinds of outings that work for families, friends, or anyone who wants to enjoy what’s happening close to home without overplanning.

🎤 Lady Gaga at Dickies Arena

If you’re looking for a big night out, this might be your moment. Lady Gaga brings her Mayhem Ball Tour to Fort Worth with a theatrical, high-energy show that blends new music with familiar favorites. Demand added a second night, which tells you something.

We like this one as a couples’ outing or group night. Dinner nearby, a big production, and home before it feels too late.

📍 Where: Dickies Arena
📅 When: February 28th & March 1st

🏃 Cowtown Marathon Weekend in Fort Worth

Even if you’re not racing, Cowtown is still worth being around.

This is North Texas’s largest run weekend, with everything from kids’ 5Ks to full marathons moving through Fort Worth’s Cultural District, downtown, and nearby neighborhoods.

We love events like this because they bring people together in a simple way. Some are running. Some are walking. Some are just holding coffee and clapping from the sidewalk.

📍 Where: Will Rogers Memorial Center area, Fort Worth
📅 When: February 27th through March 1st

☘️ 45th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

This one brings the neighborhood energy. Dallas’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival fills Lower Greenville with floats, bands, dancers, bagpipers, and families lining the street.

It’s lively, colorful, and very local, with people gathering early and staying awhile. If you’re looking for something festive that still feels community-rooted, this usually fits the bill.

📍 Where: Lower Greenville
📅 When: March 14th

WHAT WE'RE SEEING

How the DFW market is settling into 2026

As we head into 2026, the DFW market feels… steadier.

Not frozen. Not frantic. Just more balanced than it’s been in a while. January’s data gives us a helpful snapshot of where things stand right now.

Across the Metroplex, the median home price came in at $375,000, down 2.9% from last January.

That doesn’t signal a collapse. It signals price sensitivity. Buyers are being thoughtful, comparing options, and pushing back when homes are priced ahead of the market.

Inventory is also higher than a year ago, with 27,783 active listings and 3.6 months of supply.

Homes are taking longer to move, about 109 days from list to close on average, which tells us expectations are resetting on both sides of the table.

Here’s what that looks like in real life:

Buyers have more homes to compare within the same neighborhood or school zone
Sellers are seeing fewer instant offers unless pricing and condition are dialed in
Negotiations feel healthier and more measured
Strategy matters more than speed

One place where activity is still concentrated is the $300,000–$399,000 price range, which accounts for over 27% of all market activity. Well-prepared homes in this band can still move quickly, but even there, buyers are paying close attention to value, condition, and total monthly cost.

So what does this mean depending on where you’re sitting?

For buyers: You have more choice than you did a year ago, and that creates leverage. Longer market times often open the door to better terms, thoughtful negotiations, and decisions made without pressure. Preparation still matters, especially in the most active price ranges, but the pace is calmer.

For sellers: Homes are still selling, but the first impression carries more weight. Accurate pricing, strong presentation, and a clear launch plan are doing the heavy lifting. Overpricing early can cost valuable momentum, especially with buyers having alternatives.

The market isn’t rushing in either direction. It’s finding its balance.

That creates opportunity on both sides, not through timing headlines, but through preparation, clarity, and strategy.

👉 Want to read the full breakdown? Take a deeper look here.

💬 Got questions about your specific neighborhood? Just reply to this email. We’re always happy to share what we’re seeing in your area.

HOMES OF THE MONTH

Two homes that fit very different seasons of life

One thing we’re seeing right now is just how wide the range of opportunity is across DFW.

Some buyers are looking for room to spread out. Others are focused on simplicity and affordability.

These two homes show both ends of that spectrum.

📍 1620 Trail Side Road, Wylie

🛏 5 Beds | 🛁 3 Baths | 📐 3,098 Sq Ft

This 2017 home backs to a tree-lined greenbelt and offers the kind of space that works for real life.

The open main level brings together the kitchen, dining, and family room with tall ceilings and backyard views. There’s a dedicated home office and a downstairs guest suite, plus a large game room and three bedrooms upstairs, giving everyone their own place to land.

Outside, the covered patio opens to neighborhood trails, a nearby lake, and community pools, making it easy to enjoy evenings outdoors.

What stands out to us:

Greenbelt privacy
Flexible layout with office + guest space
Walkable access to trails and amenities

👉 See all the photos and the full floor plan

📍 617 Carriagehouse Lane, Unit 3E, Garland

🛏 2 Beds | 🛁 2 Baths | 📐 1,110 Sq Ft

This two-story condo offers simple, low-maintenance living at an approachable price point.

With quick access to major highways, shopping, and dining, it’s set up well for commuters or first-time buyers. Inside, you’ll find tile floors on the main level, a cozy fireplace, and two comfortable bedrooms upstairs.

There’s also a private fenced patio, a community pool, and HOA coverage for exterior maintenance, water, sewer, and trash, which helps keep ownership straightforward.

What stands out to us:

Private courtyard patio
Community pool
HOA-supported, low-maintenance living

👉 See all the photos and take the virtual tour

WHAT'S BEING BUILT

A $1B project north of Dallas, and why it matters closer to home

We’re keeping an eye on a proposed $1 billion manufacturing facility from MP Materials, which could land in Northlake, just north of Fort Worth.

If it moves forward, the project is expected to bring up to 1000 full-time jobs with solid salaries.

That kind of growth doesn’t stay contained to one town.

Here’s what we’ve seen over time when large employers expand in North Texas:

People start looking for homes within a reasonable commute.
Builders pay closer attention to nearby suburbs.
Rental demand rises first, followed by move-up buyers.
And established neighborhoods with good schools and access to highways quietly benefit.

For families in places like Garland, Richardson, Wylie, and Northeast Dallas, developments like this often show up indirectly, through increased buyer activity, more competition in certain price ranges, and renewed interest in areas that already offer space and convenience.

Nothing changes overnight. But projects like this tend to be early signals of where demand may build next.

Just something to keep in mind if you’re thinking about timing, value, or what might influence our local market over the next few years.

And if you’d like to talk through how this kind of growth could connect to your neighborhood or your plans, we’re always happy to walk through it together.

WHAT WE'RE LOVING RIGHT NOW

(Besides Each Other, Obviously 💕 Happy Valentine’s Day!)

Now February feels like a good time to admit we are very behind on almost everything… except High Potential and The Pitt. Somehow, we’ve managed to stay caught up on those.

Everything else? We’re pacing ourselves.

Here’s what’s currently in rotation at the Dunnican house:

High Potential | ABC
Why we like it: Smart, quick, and easy to follow without feeling heavy. It’s one of those shows that keeps things moving without asking too much from you at the end of a long day.
The Pitt | HBO
Why we like it: Intense, sharp, and well-written. But fair warning, it’s not for the faint of heart. If medical drama makes you squeamish, maybe sit this one out.
Doc | FOX
Why we like it: Emotional and character-driven. It pulls you in quickly, but we’ll admit… sometimes it gets intense. That’s when we’re thankful The Rookie is back.
The Rookie | ABC
Why we like it: A reliable reset. Action, humor, and just enough drama without going overboard. It’s been a steady favorite for us.
Bridgerton (Season 4 – Waiting Game) | Netflix
Why we like it: Let’s just say… we’re patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for the second half to drop.
Burden of Truth (Season 1) | Hulu
Why we like it: Strong storyline and thoughtful pacing. We recently wrapped this one and appreciated the depth.

Cory’s Current Lineup

Steal | Prime Video
Tehran (Restarting with the new season) | Apple TV+
The Chosen | Prime Video

He tends to gravitate toward thoughtful, layered shows and anything that keeps him guessing.

One We’re Divided On

His & Hers | Netflix
Five episodes in… Cory bowed out. I may circle back solo.

A Few I’m Eyeing

Because apparently I’m always ready to add one more show to the list.

The One I’m Counting Down To

The Peaky Blinders Movie | March Release

I miss that show in a way that feels almost unreasonable. There may be a full Shelby-family rewatch happening before the movie drops… just to be emotionally prepared.

Clearly, February is for catching up… or at least pretending we are.

What’s on your current must-see list? We’re always open to recommendations.

Thank you for reading this month’s edition of At Home with Cindy & Cory.

Whether you're staying put this year or quietly thinking about what's next, we hope this gave you a helpful snapshot of what's happening around DFW and what opportunities might be taking shape.

As always, we're here to answer questions, share perspectives, or just talk through what makes sense for you and your family.

We’ll see you right back here next month!

Warmly,