Some homebuyers and sellers had their fill of the Austin real estate market this past year. There are reasons to stay in the market, to get in the market, and certainly reasons to step away for now. As the song goes, you gotta know when to hold ‘em, fold ‘em, and walk away. Here is a real estate guide to navigate the fall market with home buyer and home seller advice. Continue reading
Austin real estate market news for November 2023 is here. The Central Texas housing data shows that the Austin Round Rock MSA experienced an increase in residential homes sold rising 4.1% year-over-year to 2,337 total sales demonstrating that buyers are finding value in the market despite higher interest rates. October median sales prices dipped 7.5% and spent an average of 21 more days on the market year over year.
According to the Austin Board of REALTORS® October 2023 Central Texas Housing Market Report, the Austin-Round Rock MSA, experienced a decrease month-over-month in closed sales by about 50 units. Housing inventory is the best it has been in years and buyers are showing up. Pending sales month-over-month are also down by about 50 units but seasonally comparing year over year, October was up by 12%.
How’s the market? Making today’s real estate market work means making lemonade. The real estate market as a whole is slow. It’s slow because people have more homes to see than they have had in years. It’s slow because mortgage interest rates are high enough to question whether any house is worth it. It’s slow because housing prices haven’t really come down enough to aid in the affordability factor. Interest rates and housing prices equal fewer ready, willing, and able buyers. While it may be slow, it is not dead. More and more sellers are meeting the market where it is.
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Austin real estate market news for October 2023 is here. The Central Texas housing data shows that the Austin Round Rock MSA reached 4.0 months of inventory, the highest level in more than eight years. There was a drop in closed sales along with median prices indicating affordability and higher interest rates are tempering the market. September median sales prices were down 4.3% and spent an average of 24 more days on the market year over year.
According to the Austin Board of REALTORS® September 2023 Central Texas Housing Market Report, the Austin-Round Rock MSA, experienced a decrease month-over-month in closed sales, indicating the market has cooled a bit. Housing inventory is the best it has been in years. Cash buyers or those who can work with the financing options available, have a bit of a selection right now. Those choices are creating a more competitive market for sellers as home sales slow.
It’s not rabbit season. It’s not duck season. It’s house hunting season. I’ve been hosting open houses and have had visitors. The Texas heat has been similar to the dead of winter in that if people are getting out of their climate-controlled vehicles to visit me, they are for a reason. They are hunting. House hunters are not desperate. These buyers are slow, meticulous, and move when they are ready. House hunters want to buy a house and may need to buy a house, but whether they date the rate or marry it – financially it’s a big decision and they are taking their time.
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Austin real estate news for September 2023 is here. The Central Texas housing market shows that overall, the Austin Round Rock MSA is finding its footing. The number of closed sales and pending sales is continuing to increase year-over-year. August median sales prices while down compared to last year, were fairly consistent with July. Interest rates are still volatile, which continues to temper home prices.
According to the Austin Board of REALTORS® August 2023 Central Texas Housing Market Report, the Austin-Round Rock MSA, experienced an 8.8% month-over-month increase in closed sales, a healthy indication of buyer confidence in the market. Housing inventory also continues to show gradual progress with a year-over-year increase of 1.0 month to 3.8 months of inventory. The Austin housing market continues to show signs of resilience.
The Austin housing market is a bit stagnant right now, along with the air, heat, and even interest rates. It’s pretty easy to feel the effect of mortgage rates on the market. As soon as they start with a six, we get an uptick of homes suddenly going under contract. When the rates hit seven again, everything stops. Remember the schoolyard game red light, green light? It’s kind of like that. Here are some market insights and home buying tips to help you decide when to stop and when to go. Continue reading