I have written several times in recent months about the uncertain environment we’ve seen in Austin-area residential real estate. Now, early in the new year, I want to highlight a few headlines that amplify that confusing situation.
First, this article summarizes year-end sales results across the United States and in large, multi-state regions:
Lower Mortgage Rates Help Push Home Sales to Nearly 3-Year High
But the real estate economy now exhibits very real ambiguity. The report above from the National Association of REALTORS focused on sales of existing homes (i.e., resales). The article below, from Bloomberg, shows some pessimism among home builders across the country;
US Housing Market Isn’t Out of the Woods Yet
That link begins with the real estate discussion, but goes on to several unrelated news stories. Feel free to read them all, but the topic of real estate does not reappear after the first few paragraphs.
As you consider the articles below notice the difference in our area compared to that national/regional view, where the South posted the highest year-end growth rate.
Area saw housing sales slow as year closed
Central Texas housing market saw slight uptick at year’s end
Those headlines refer to the same Central Texas real estate market. Neither matches the rapid growth described in the national perspective, but even focusing on our area, you’ll recognize that “… sales slow…” and “…slight uptick…” are not the same thing. It’s especially interesting to me that both of those links lead to the same Austin American-Statesman article. If you are a subscriber you should be able to access both links. My point in this post is to highlight the confusing situation home buyers and sellers here experienced in late 2025, and really all year with brief, transient exceptions.
I’ll continue to provide you the best information available, but three of my posts so far this year may shed some light on our situation as 2026 moves beyond the holidays and toward the Spring, which has historically been the significant selling season for residential real estate:
2025 Home Resale Trends: Builder vs. Resale Market Insights
Stay tuned HERE for the best insights I can offer.
Bill Morris on Austin Real Estate 
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