🏡 Austin home sales are down 19.3%, buyers are hesitant, and the housing market is heading into the holidays. So what's really happening in Austin real estate?

Welcome back to How's the Market, Austin? with Austin Realtor Derek Peterson and mortgage professional Kyle Carrington! In this October 26, 2026 episode, we're breaking down the latest Austin housing market numbers, why buyers are taking their time, and what we're seeing firsthand in South Austin, Buda, Kyle, and San Marcos.

📊 AUSTIN HOUSING MARKET UPDATE — OCTOBER 2026 According to the latest Unlock MLS month-to-date data:

🏠 City of Austin home sales are DOWN 19.3% compared with the same period last year.

📉 Last week's report showed sales down nearly 25%, so the year-over-year gap has narrowed.

💰 Austin's median home sale price is $560,000.

🏘️ Across the five-county Austin metro area, home sales are down approximately 20%, with a median sale price of $410,000. But the numbers only tell part of the story.

WHAT'S MAKING AUSTIN HOMEBUYERS HESITATE?

Between property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage payments, and uncertainty about job security, especially in Austin's tech industry, buyers have plenty to think about before making an offer. We're also talking about why cash purchases seem unusually common in some South Austin neighborhoods, while buyers who need financing are taking a more cautious approach.

BUDA, KYLE & SAN MARCOS: A TOUGHER MARKET FOR SELLERS?

In areas east of I-35, resale homes are competing with large numbers of similar new construction homes. Builders can offer incentives that individual homeowners often can't match. And for some buyers who moved farther outside Austin in 2020 and 2021, returning to the office has turned that affordable suburban home into a very expensive commute.

IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOUSE IN AUSTIN?

We discuss where buyers may have negotiating opportunities, why desirable homes can still sell quickly, and why some homeowners are choosing not to sell at all. Plus, Kyle shares his perspective on mortgage rates and financing costs. And because this is our podcast, we eventually wander into college football, NFL officiating, and fantasy football. We promise the real estate conversation happens first. 😂

👇 LET'S HEAR FROM YOU!

Are you waiting for Austin home prices or mortgage rates to come down before buying? Or are you starting to see opportunities in this market? Tell us in the comments!

📍 AREAS WE COVER: Austin, South Austin, Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, Travis County, Hays County, and the greater Central Texas housing market.

🎙️ YOUR HOSTS: Derek Peterson | The ATX Team at Compass Kyle Carrington | Mortgage Professional

📊 Market data: Unlock MLS Residential Market Snapshot, October 26, 2026. October figures are month-to-date and compared with the corresponding period in 2025. Market conditions vary by neighborhood and price range.