Austin's homebuyers are uncovering an uncertain future for the housing market, as April sales took a nearly 14 percent dip from last year and housing inventory increased by 11.5 percent.
The latest real estate report from the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) and Unlock MLS said Austin's April housing data closely resembles a nationwide trend of higher mortgage rates and a decline in home sales.
New home listings in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metropolitan statistical area (MSA) rose to 5,710 homes in April, adding to a total number of 13,351 active home listings. That's nearly 20 percent more from April 2024.
Only 2,484 homes in the Austin area were sold in April, and median home prices took a small 3.2 percent dip year-over-year to $450,000.
Despite a cautious drop in home sales, Austin's increase in housing inventory at affordable price points should be seen as a "market correction," according to housing economist Clare Knapp, Ph.D.
"Austin was one of the most affordability-constrained markets emerging from the pandemic," Knapp said. "Many parts of the country are still supply-constrained, but in April, the Austin area posted the highest inventory level affordable to the standard household since 2012."
Knapp adds that this isn't an abnormal phenomenon, but rather a shift to "more balanced market conditions."
"While this signals progress, especially for first-time homebuyers, significant work remains to improve long-term housing affordability across the region, especially as higher mortgage rates and economic turbulence impact buyer confidence,” Knapp said.
Central Texas housing trends in April 2025
In Travis County, 1,142 homes were sold last month, with median prices dropping 2.8 percent year-over-year to $520,000. There were 6,791 active listings on the market; a whopping 20 percent more than April 2024.
A total 817 homes were sold in Williamson County, with median prices increasing slightly by 1.1 percent in comparison to last year to $435,920. There were 1,734 new home listings on the market, adding to a total of 3,869 active home listings in April.
Median home prices in Hays County rose 2.6 percent year-over-year, at just under $400,000. Last month, 321 homes were sold in the area, while active listings increased 7.1 percent to 1,831 homes.
Home sales in Bastrop County dropped dramatically by 25.4 percent year-over-year with only 91 homes sold in April. Median prices also decreased to $344,900. There were 692 active listings on the market and 219 new home listings.
Caldwell County also saw a dramatic decrease in April sales with only 29 sold homes, or about 25 percent less than April 2024. Median prices rose a single percentage point last month to $299,990. There are only 169 active home listings on the market in the county, and 62 new listings.
