Central Texas Housing Market Shows Renewed Momentum Ahead of Spring Season

AUSTIN, Texas — The January Central Texas Housing Report from Unlock MLS reveals a noticeable uptick in buyer activity as the region heads toward the spring homebuying period. Pending sales climbed to 2,349 transactions, marking a 10.1% increase compared to the same time last year and a rise of more than 23% from December. This growth suggests strengthening demand among homebuyers.

Meanwhile, housing inventory tightened, with months of supply dropping by nearly one month year over year. This decline indicates that increased buyer interest is quickly absorbing new properties entering the market. Active listings remained relatively stable at 10,083 homes. The median home price stood at $400,495, reflecting a modest 2.3% decrease from January 2025. Overall, the data suggests a balanced market where demand is keeping pace with the flow of new listings.

Vaike O’Grady, market research advisor at Unlock MLS, noted that current trends point to a return to more traditional market behavior.

She explained that the housing sector has transitioned away from an overheated period into a phase where supply, demand, and pricing are interacting in a more predictable manner. Rather than experiencing dramatic annual fluctuations, both inventory and prices are stabilizing within a consistent range, fostering healthier and more sustainable growth across Central Texas.

John Crowe, 2026 president of Unlock MLS and Austin Board of Realtors, highlighted the importance of professional guidance in the current market landscape.

He emphasized that while transactions are continuing throughout Central Texas, closing deals now requires greater patience and strategic planning. Pricing decisions and negotiation tactics have become increasingly significant compared to previous years. In this evolving environment, experienced real estate professionals play a crucial role in helping clients understand market data, establish practical expectations, and navigate the buying or selling process effectively as seasonal patterns return to normal in the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metropolitan area.

January 2026 - For Sale

• 1,566 – Residential homes sold, 14.8% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $400,495 – Median price for residential homes, 2.3% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 3,470 – New home listings on the market, 7.0% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 10,083 – Active home listings on the market, 2.3% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 2,349 – Pending sales, 10.1% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 4.0 – Months of inventory, 1.4 less than January 2025.
  
  
• $842,125,277 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 14.3% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 91% – Average close to list price, compared to 92.3% in January 2025.
  
  

January 2026 - For Lease

• 2,266 – Closed leases, 4.1% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $2,000 – Median price for rent, 4.8% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 3,218 – New lease listings on the market, 11.1% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 6,486 – Active lease listings on the market, 47.3% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 2,674 – Pending sales, 4.3% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 3.5 – Months of inventory, 1.3 months more than January 2025.
  
  
• $5,094,382 – Total dollar volume of leases, 7.9% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 95.5% – Average close to list price, compared to 95.3% in January 2025.
  
  

City of Austin

January 2026 - For Sale

• 509 – Residential homes sold, 8.8% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $522,500 – Median price for residential homes, 5.0% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 1,169 – New home listings on the market, 12.0% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 3,262 – Active home listings on the market, 0.7% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 797 – Pending sales, 9.3% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 3.9 – Months of inventory, 2.0 less than January 2025.
  
  
• $369,492,808 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 9.4% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 90.8% – Average close to list price, compared to 91.3% in January 2025.
  
  

January 2026 - For Lease

• 1,211 – Closed leases, 1.8% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $2,100 – Median price for rent, 4.5 less than January 2025.
  
  
• 1,852 – New lease listings on the market, 24.4% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 4,016 – Active lease listings on the market, 88.5% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 1,387 – Pending sales, 4.4% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 3.7 – Months of inventory, 1.4 months more than January 2025.
  
  
• $2,857,711 – Total dollar volume of leases, 7.3% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 95.4% – Average close to list price, compared to 95.1% in January 2024.
  
  

Travis County

January 2026 - For Sale

• 684 – Residential homes sold, 12.4% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $445,000 – Median price for residential homes, 6.3% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 1,624 – New home listings on the market, 9.6% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 4,462 – Active home listings on the market, 2.7% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 1,044 – Pending sales, 11.1% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 3.9 – Months of inventory, 2.0 months less than January 2025.
  
  
• $450,898,391 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 12.4% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 91.1% – Average close to list price, compared to 91.9% in January 2025.
  
  

January 2026 - For Lease

• 1,347 – Closed leases, 5.6% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $2,100 – Median price for rent, 4.2% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 2,035 – New lease listings on the market, 22.5% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 4,016 – Active lease listings on the market, 59.0% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 1,544 – Pending sales, 1.4% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 3.7 – Months of inventory, 1.5 months more than January 2025.
  
  
• $3,195,887 – Total dollar volume of leases, 9.5% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 95.5% – Average close to list price, compared to 95.2% in January 2025.
  
  

Williamson County

January 2026 - For Sale

• 536 – Residential homes sold, 16.1% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $403,500 – Median price for residential homes, 0.4% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 1,063 – New home listings on the market, 4.1% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 3,091 – Active home listings on the market, 5.6% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 821 – Pending sales, 13.1% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 3.5 – Months of inventory, 1.1 months less than January 2025.
  
  
• $246,944,325 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 17.2% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 91.1% – Average close to list price, compared to 92.9% in January 2025.
  
  

January 2026 - For Lease

• 678 – Closed leases, 1.2% more than January 2025.
  
  
• $1,995 – Median price for rent, 4.8% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 867 – New lease listings on the market, 2.8% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 1,726 – Active lease listings on the market, 32.2% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 827 – Pending sales, 8.8% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 3.0 – Months of inventory, 0.9 months more than January 2025.
  
  
• $1,408,543 – Total dollar volume of leases, 2.9% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 95.5% – Average close to list price,compared to 95.7% in January 2025.
  
  

Hays County

January 2026 - For Sale

• 234 – Residential homes sold, 18.5% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $344,500 – Median price for residential homes, 4.0% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 483 – New home listings on the market, 14.2% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 1,567 – Active home listings on the market, 1.3% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 347 – Pending sales, 9.1% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 4.4 – Months of inventory, 1.2 months less than January 2025.
  
  
• $107,549,057 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 12.3% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 92% – Average close to list price, flat compared to January 2025.
  
  

January 2026 - For Lease

• 172 – Closed leases, 14.4% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $1,937 – Median price for rent, 0.7% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 221 – New lease listings on the market, 16.3% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 513 – Active lease listings on the market, 10.3% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 219 – Pending sales, 8.4% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 3.3 – Months of inventory, 3.3 months more than January 2025.
  
  
• $363,498 – Total dollar volume of leases, 16.7% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 94.5% – Average close to list price, flat compared to January 2025.
  
  

Bastrop County

January 2026 - For Sale

• 77 – Residential homes sold, 20.6% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $335,970 – Median price for residential homes, 2.9% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 225 – New home listings on the market, 15.4% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 711 – Active home listings on the market, 18.3% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 100 – Pending sales, 13.8% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 5.8 – Months of inventory, 0.9 months less than January 2025.
  
  
• $27,279,673 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 28.8% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 88.4% – Average close to list price, compared to 92.3% in January 2025.
  
  

January 2026 - For Lease

• 52 – Closed leases, 23.8% more than January 2025.
  
  
• $1,860 – Median price for rent, 1.2% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 68 – New lease listings on the market, 21.4% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 150 – Active lease listings on the market, 108.3% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 60 – Pending sales, 13.2% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 3.1 – Months of inventory, 0.9 months more than January 2025.
  
  
• $98,719– Total dollar volume of leases, 27.6% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 97.9% – Average close to list price, compared to 96.0% in January 2025.
  
  

Caldwell County

January 2026 - For Sale

• 35 – Residential homes sold, 6.1% more than January 2025.
  
  
• $237,491 – Median price for residential homes, 17.0% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 75 – New home listings on the market, 11.9% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 252 – Active home listings on the market, 70.3% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 37 – Pending sales, 8.8% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 8.4 – Months of inventory, 3.5 months more than January 2025.
  
  
• $9,453,831 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 1.1% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 84.8% – Average close to list price, compared to 92.7% in January 2025.
  
  

January 2026 - For Lease

• 17 – Closed leases, 22.7% less than January 2025.
  
  
• $1,750 – Median price for rent, 2.8% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 27 – New lease listings on the market, 17.4% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 81 – Active lease listings on the market, 138.2% more than January 2025.
  
  
• 24 – Pending sales, 4.0% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 4.3 – Months of inventory, 4.3 months more than January 2025.
  
  
• $27,735– Total dollar volume of leases, 22.3% less than January 2025.
  
  
• 98.2% – Average close to list price, compared to 97.4% in January 2025.
  
  

For more information or to download the January 2026 Central Texas Housing Market Report, visit UnlockMLS.com/Stats.