Waco, Texas · The Baylor Bubble

The Baylor Bubble, by the numbers

Every house, condo, and small multifamily inside the Bubble — what's available, what's selling, and how this year stacks up against the last three. Updated every month, straight from the MLS.

David A. Harris, Sr. · Campus, Realtors, Kelly, Realtors · Over $60 Million Sold in the Baylor Area · Data through July 31, 2026

David Harris, REALTOR, Campus, Realtors, Kelly, Realtors

Welcome to the Baylor Bubble

The Baylor Bubble as owners know it, drawn to the block — pan, zoom, and click any zone for detail. Adapted from the First to Know map by David A. Harris, Sr.

If you own or invest here, you know the Bubble has layers: the Inner Bubble pressed against campus, the South East Bubble across University Parks, the Outer Bubble running out toward 18th Street, and a Current & Future Expansion area to the southwest — with Baylor-owned property woven through the middle. Speight, James, Bagby, Wood, and the numbered streets tie it all together.

A note on the lines: after their freshman year, Baylor students are free to live anywhere they choose. The Baylor Bubble is simply where I see most students who want to stay close to campus end up living. These boundaries aren't an official designation — they're just what I've come to know from years of working this market, and I update them as the neighborhood grows.

Inner BubbleSouth East BubbleOuter BubbleFuture ExpansionBaylor-owned

Based on information from the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Inc., as of July 31, 2026. Data deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS or NTREIS. Statistics compiled by David A. Harris, Sr., Campus, Realtors, Kelly, Realtors.

The Bubble Report

David Sr.'s 60-second read on the month. A new edition publishes the first week of every month. Shareable edition →

No. 2 · August 2026

51 Condos and townhomes sold in the academic year that ended July 31 — the most in the four years I chart, sold into the deepest selection this market has seen.

The 2025–26 academic year is in the books, and it settled an argument. Condos sold per academic year over the last four years: 43, 42, 48, and now 51 — a four-year high. Single-family finished at 37, second-best of the four. All spring I kept hearing that this market was drowning in listings. The finished year says buyers absorbed more condos than in any year I have charted — inventory built because more owners decided to sell, not because buying stopped.

And for the first time in about a year, the pile got smaller instead of bigger. On July 31 I counted 89 Baylor Bubble properties on the market — 39 houses, 39 condos and townhomes, 11 multifamily — down from 92 on July 9. Condos slipped from 41 to 39 and multifamily from 14 to 11, even while roughly twenty fresh listings arrived during July, six of them in the last three days of the month. July did real business: nine sales closed — five houses, after a June when not a single house closed, and four condos — and six more properties went under contract heading into August, three houses and three condos.

What has not changed is speed. Median days on market over the past twelve months: 46 for houses, 67 for condos — up from 57 when I wrote last month's report — and 95 for multifamily. Yet two of July's nine closings came in at or above the original asking price. Properties priced right on day one still command their number; everything else is where the negotiating happens.

For parentsFall semester is here and the timing favors you: 39 condos to compare, sellers who have waited months, and proof from July that well-priced ones still go at full ask. Negotiate hard on the stale listings — but do not slow-play a fresh, fairly priced one.
For investorsMultifamily selection thinned from 14 to 11, and at a 95-day median nobody is rushing you. The 51-condo year is the signal: student demand keeps absorbing this inventory, and patient offers on long-sitting listings are still winning the terms.
For ownersOne softer month does not change your math — you are still competing with several times the listings of any recent year. July proved both truths: price right in week one and you can get your number; overshoot and you join the 67-day pile. If you do not need to sell, nothing here forces your hand.

Counts and days-on-market only — sold prices are confidential under MLS rules.

Single-family homes

Each academic year gets its own color — the bold blue line with the dot is the current year (Aug 2025 – Jul 2026).

Based on information from the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Inc., for the period August 2022 through July 2026. Data deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS or NTREIS. Statistics compiled by David A. Harris, Sr., Campus, Realtors, Kelly, Realtors · Last updated July 31, 2026.

Condos & townhomes

The chart parents watch: condo availability built all year — and the year still finished with a four-year high in sales.

Based on information from the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Inc., for the period August 2022 through July 2026. Data deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS or NTREIS. Statistics compiled by David A. Harris, Sr., Campus, Realtors, Kelly, Realtors · Last updated July 31, 2026.

Multifamily · 2+ units

Duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and small apartment buildings. Sales are shown by quarter — monthly counts are too small to read fairly.

Based on information from the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Inc., for the period August 2022 through July 2026. Data deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS or NTREIS. Statistics compiled by David A. Harris, Sr., Campus, Realtors, Kelly, Realtors · Last updated July 31, 2026.

Own property near campus?

The charts tell you what the market is doing. These two tell you what to do about it.

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The Baylor Property Check

What would your property actually bring in today's Bubble? A straight answer built from closed sales in these exact blocks going back to 2003 — not a portal estimate that thinks 76706 is one neighborhood.

David Sr. replies personally and will get back to you soon. No obligation.

For Baylor parents

Student graduating in May?

Every parent-owned property in the Bubble has a four-year clock. When it runs out, you have three plays:

  • 1Sell into the spring parent wave. January–March is when next year's parents shop hardest — listing then puts you in front of the most motivated buyers of the year.
  • 2Hold and rent. The Bubble's tenant pool resets every August. Keep the property working while you decide.
  • 31031 exchange. Roll the gain into your next property and defer the tax bite — talk to your CPA about the timelines.

Not sure which play is yours? Start with the free Property Check. →

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Or get the monthly Bubble Report

Prefer the big picture to individual listings? David Sr.'s 60-second read on the Baylor Bubble — what's on the market, what's selling, and what it means for you — publishes the first week of every month. Counts only, no hype. Read this month's edition →

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Coming: Bears and Buildings — David A. Harris, Sr.'s playbook for buying and selling in the Baylor Bubble. Alert subscribers will hear about it first.

The agent behind the numbers

I'm David A. Harris, Sr. with Campus, Realtors, Kelly, Realtors — and the Baylor Bubble is not a side market for me, it's the market. I've spent over a decade helping Baylor parents buy places their students actually live in, helping investors build portfolios on these blocks, and helping owners time their exit. The charts on this page come from my own MLS research, updated by hand every month, because nobody else publishes this neighborhood's numbers.

11+ years focused on the Baylor market 20+ years in real estate Over $60 Million Sold in the Baylor Area Serving parents & investors
Call or text (254) 640-4144 Email David

What clients say

Reviews from the parents, investors, and owners David A. Harris, Sr. has represented across the Baylor Bubble and greater Waco.

“David helped us find the perfect investment condo inside the 'Bubble'. He is an expert in campus housing and we highly recommend him. We found him honest, hard working and responsive. We will likely work with him again.”— Colorado Broker · Home Buyer
“I had the pleasure of working with David Harris Sr. while purchasing a condo in Waco, Texas, for my daughter, a student at Baylor University. As an out-of-state buyer, I was concerned about navigating the process from afar, but David made it seamless.”— Buyers from Alabama · Home Buyer
“We've worked with David on the purchase of several investment properties and couldn't be happier with the service he provides. He continually works tirelessly to make sure the buying process goes smoothly and represents our best interest without a fault.”— Rubin Stack · Home Buyer
“I would highly recommend David to anyone looking to buy or sell in the Baylor/Waco area. He worked very hard finding a buyer for our student rental and we had a contract in a very short time. I appreciated his professionalism during the process.”— James Wright · Home Buyer
“We would definitely recommend David to represent us if needed in the future. We had a complex sale of 4 units and his professionalism during the entire process was greatly appreciated. He was always responsive to my calls and texts and made sure our concerns or questions were handled immediately.”— Barbara Johnson · Home Seller
“David was recommended to us by a trusted real estate broker in the states. We live out of country and needed an expert that was good with communication. David communicated excellently between all parties.”— Owners in France · Home Seller
“I'm so glad that a friend recommended David. He's an outstanding realtor. He's responsive, provides nuanced and clear explanations, and a man of integrity. He's the kind of guy I'd like to have as a friend. I cannot recommend him highly enough.”— Sam Goff · Home Buyer
“Highly professional, knowledgeable, and communicative. We enjoyed working with David and appreciated his insights and desires to protect and represent our best interests. Strongly recommend.”— Greg Davis · Home Seller
“David was professional, knowledgeable about the market, and very responsive to all of our questions. Easiest sale we've ever been a part of. Highly recommend David!”— Jason Surdy · Home Seller
“David worked with us to sell our condo. He was very professional and honest in all his communications. He provided outstanding customer service and I would recommend him to anyone in the Waco market.”— David Talbert · Home Seller
“David is extremely professional and responsive to his client's needs. His market knowledge and guidance are part of what made our sale a smooth transaction. We would be happy to work with David again.”— Alicia Abel · Home Seller
“David got our house listed very quickly. He helped us price it properly and it sold well and fairly quickly.”— Jared Black · Home Seller
“David was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in representing us in the sale of our condo. He made the whole process very easy for us. Would recommend him without hesitation.”— Local Seller · Home Seller
“David was great. He was easy to get a hold of and very knowledgeable about some questions we had. He negotiated a great deal for both parties.”— Jason Smith · Home Buyer
“David was great! Real pleasure to work with, always honest and professional. Highly recommend!”— Leslie Sakai · Home Seller

How these numbers are made

Sold counts are closed MLS sales inside the Baylor Bubble, by month (multifamily by quarter). Available counts are estimated by counting each sale's days-on-market backward from its closing date to reconstruct when it was actively listed; today's active listings count from their current days-on-market. The newest month on the availability charts is a live MLS snapshot. Months further in the past can modestly undercount, since homes that were withdrawn or expired without selling don't appear in sold records. Starting July 2026, a saved monthly snapshot replaces the estimate going forward.

Charts are grouped by academic year (August–July) because that's the rhythm this market actually moves on. Property types: single-family homes; condos & townhomes; multifamily is anything with 2 or more units.