Austin homes are moving a little faster than they were a year ago. Here's what happened this week.
🐇 What's happening with Austin home prices
Redfin's September numbers for the city of Austin show the median home sold in 65 days. A year ago it was 74 days. Sales rose 1.9% to 2,429 homes. The median sale price held steady at $537,244, about half a percent below last September. Roughly 11.8% of homes sold over asking, and the average home sold for 96.9% of list price. Fewer sellers cut prices too, with 41.9% of homes showing a price drop, down about 3 points from last year.
🪁 Mortgage rates
Freddie Mac's weekly survey had the 30-year fixed at 7.32% on Oct. 22. That's down from 7.40%, where it sat for two weeks. The 15-year fixed slipped to 6.68%. Rates are still a full point above where they were a year ago, so it's worth asking your lender about rate locks and buydowns.
🧩 Builders and new neighborhoods
KB Home went to Round Rock City Council on Oct. 22 to start the process of adding 330 homes to Salerno, its 1,100+ home neighborhood near County Road 118. The 71.9-acre addition would come in two phases of 181 and 149 homes on 47 and 52 foot lots. KB Home says it hasn't bought the land yet, so timing is open.
🚰 Water and where Austin grows next
Water is becoming a deciding factor for where new neighborhoods can go. The 2027 State Water Plan shows Williamson County with the highest projected water needs in our five-county region from 2030 through 2080. Hays and Travis counties also see big jumps by 2080. Liberty Hill is piloting an advanced water purification facility this month. It could produce up to 5 million gallons a day, ahead of demand projected near 4.9 million gallons a day by 2040.
🍾 Notable luxury sales
Austin luxury contracts totaled about $30 million the week of Oct. 12, with nine homes listed at $2 million or more going under contract. The top one was a $5 million condo at the Austonian, Unit 37H. It's about 2,900 square feet and went under contract in 26 days. A West Lake Hills home at 5101 Cuesta Verde, listed at $4.6 million, also went pending after 39 days.
💾 Business and development news
SolarWinds signed a 100,000 square foot lease at Zilker Point, 218 S. Lamar Blvd. The tower has sat empty since it was finished in 2024. SolarWinds plans to move its roughly 400 Austin employees there in fall 2027.
Round Rock approved a $600,000 incentive on Oct. 22 for PulseForge, a semiconductor equipment maker on Parker Drive. The deal is tied to a $20 million expansion and at least 60 new jobs by 2031.
On Tesla's Oct. 21 earnings call, Elon Musk said the company's Austin chip research fab plans to start commissioning machinery in the first half of 2027. The goal is first test chips by next summer.
Mayor Kirk Watson formed a task force on Oct. 20 to help preserve the Red River Cultural District after a string of venue closures. Valhalla's final show is Oct. 31.
Austin Housing Finance Corp. announced more than $21 million for five affordable housing developments with 261 units. Sites include 206 E. Annie St., 4507 Menchaca Rd., and 618 E. Highland Mall Blvd.
🥙 New openings
Cava opened Oct. 21 at 18709 Limestone Commercial Dr. in Pflugerville. Hopdoddy Burger Bar opens its first Pflugerville location at 18708 Limestone Commercial Dr. on Oct. 27.
Never Better, a spinoff from Better Half Coffee and Cocktails, is now serving from the old Turnstile to-go window at 10025 Burnet Rd. Look for sandwiches, burgers and pastries, daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Butcher's Daughter opens Nov. 15 at 1600 S. Congress Ave., the former South Congress Cafe space. It'll run all day, from Proud Mary coffee to dinner and natural wine.
🗳️ Don't forget to vote
Early voting ends Friday, Oct. 30, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Whoever you're voting for, make sure you get out and vote.
🎩 Just for fun
Monopoly: Austin Edition came out Oct. 23. El Arroyo, Kerbey Lane, Busty's and Comedy Mothership made the board. The luxury tax is now a tailgate tax.
🔑 What this means if you're buying or selling in Austin
Homes are selling faster than last year, and prices are holding steady. Buyers still have room to negotiate, especially with rates easing a bit. Sellers who price right from day one are getting to the closing table sooner. If you want numbers for your neighborhood or price range, reach out anytime.
