If you're thinking about selling your San Antonio home in 2026, there's a critical market trend you need to understand: buyer cancellations are at record highs — and San Antonio is one of the hardest-hit cities in the nation.
According to a recent Redfin analysis of MLS pending-sales data, San Antonio ranks third in the country for canceled home purchase agreements. In December 2025, buyers backed out of 20.6% of pending San Antonio home sales, trailing only Atlanta (22.5%) and Jacksonville (20.6%). Nationally, buyers canceled roughly 40,000 purchase agreements in December — representing 16.3% of all homes that went under contract, the highest December cancellation rate recorded since 2017, up from 14.9% the prior year.
Why Are San Antonio Home Buyers Canceling Contracts?
A significant market shift has handed San Antonio buyers considerably more power than they've had in years. "High housing costs and rising inventory have made homebuyers more selective," says Chen Zhao, head of economics research at Redfin. "Home sellers outnumber buyers by a record margin, meaning buyers have options and may walk away if they believe they can find a better or more affordable home."
Buyers also frequently use inspection contingencies as an exit strategy — even when the real issue is sticker shock on monthly mortgage payments. Rising inventory across the San Antonio housing market means buyers no longer feel the urgency that defined the post-pandemic seller's market.
How Does a Canceled Contract Affect San Antonio Home Sellers?
For San Antonio home sellers, a cancellation is more than a disappointment — it's a setback with real consequences. A canceled contract pulls your home off the market during the option period, erodes critical momentum, and forces you to explain to future buyers why the previous deal collapsed. That conversation can raise red flags and make subsequent buyers more cautious or aggressive in their negotiations.
The broader outlook, however, offers some encouragement. Redfin economists expect housing affordability in San Antonio and across Texas to gradually improve through 2026 as wages rise faster than housing costs — a trend that should bring more financially committed buyers back to the market.
Four Proven Strategies To Help Prevent Contract Cancellations:
- Order a pre-inspection. Hire a certified home inspector before listing your San Antonio home. Address identified issues or disclose them upfront and adjust your price accordingly. Eliminating inspection surprises removes one of the most common reasons buyers cancel contracts.
- Consider a pre-appraisal. An independent appraisal before listing validates your asking price and signals to buyers — and their lenders — that your San Antonio home is priced accurately and fairly from day one.
- Require mortgage pre-approval. Make a lender pre-approval letter a non-negotiable condition of any offer you accept. While pre-approval doesn't guarantee final loan approval, it effectively filters out buyers who may not be financially prepared to close.
- Get ahead of HOA surprises. If your San Antonio home is part of a homeowners association, ensure prospective buyers fully understand monthly fees and community rules before submitting an offer. Unexpected HOA costs are a quiet but surprisingly common deal-killer in San Antonio neighborhoods.
Is the San Antonio real estate market still a good time to sell? Yes — but smart preparation is essential. Pricing your home correctly, presenting it in top condition, and working with an experienced San Antonio real estate agent significantly improves your odds of reaching the closing table without a cancellation
Ready to Sell Your San Antonio Home in 2026? Don't let a canceled contract derail your plans. Contact me today for a free seller consultation and a customized strategy to price, prepare, and market your San Antonio home to attract serious, qualified buyers.
