Austin Market Recap: Sales Up, Prices Steady in Six Months

The Austin market area showed resilience in the first half of 2026, with median closing prices rising to $430,500 across 25 closed sales. This represents a 3.7% increase compared to the prior six-month period and a 1.9% gain over the same window last year. The market also accelerated significantly, with homes spending just 16 days on the median, down 61.9% from the previous half-year and 70.4% lower than a year ago. ALEX Intelligence analyzed the transaction data to highlight that buyers are closing deals more efficiently. The median close-to-original list ratio improved to 97.9%, up 2.7% from the prior period, while the share of homes selling below original list price dropped to 64%. This indicates a shift toward stronger negotiation outcomes for sellers compared to earlier in the year. Inventory levels remain tight relative to sales velocity, with 50 active listings and 7.5 months of supply. The median price per square foot climbed 20.2% to $357.66, reflecting higher demand for available homes. While new construction activity was limited with only one closed sale in the period, the overall market momentum suggests a steady recovery in buyer confidence and transaction speed. Current mortgage rates stand at 7.18% according to Freddie Mac data from the week of November 5, 2026. For a median-priced home, a 3-2-1 buydown would cost approximately $15,924, while a 2-1 buydown would run about $8,088, offering potential monthly savings for qualified buyers. Want to see this home? Call or text George at 713.918.9951 for a private showing. Data from Unlock MLS. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Model outputs are ALEX Intelligence estimates, not appraisals. Read more Central Texas market data on the ALEX blog: https://alex-companies.com/blog