Central Texas Housing Update: Lower Asking Prices, Fewer New Listings

November 9, 2026 | Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos

If you have been watching the Central Texas housing market, the latest numbers tell a nuanced story: asking prices are lower than they were a year ago, but fewer new homes are coming onto the market. Mortgage rates have eased slightly, while the newest official closed-sale figures still reflect September.

Here is what buyers and sellers should know before making their next move.

Asking prices are down across the metro

According to Realtor.com’s October 2026 housing report, published November 4, the median listing price in the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metro was $439,650, down 10.2% from October 2025. About 26.2% of listings had a price reduction, and the median home spent 84 days on the market. www.realtor.com

For buyers, that means it may be possible to compare more options and negotiate on homes that have been listed for a while. For sellers, it is a reminder to look closely at nearby competing homes and recent sales before choosing an asking price.

A lower median listing price does not mean every home lost value. The mix of homes for sale can change from month to month, and listing prices are different from the prices buyers ultimately pay.

Fewer new listings are entering the market

Realtor.com also found that metro-wide active listings were up just 1.3% year over year in October, while new listings fell 11.9%. Buyers may find opportunities among existing listings, but they should not assume a large wave of fresh options is arriving. Sellers who prepare and price their homes well may face fewer newly listed competitors. www.realtor.com

Mortgage rates improved modestly

Freddie Mac reported a 7.18% national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage on November 5, down from 7.24% on October 29. The change is welcome for buyers focused on monthly payments, though the rate available to any household will depend on its loan, credit profile and lender. www.freddiemac.com

What the latest closed sales show

October closed-sale and pending-sale figures from Unlock MLS were not yet available as of November 9. Its September Central Texas Housing Report, published October 13, remains the latest official metro transaction report. September recorded 2,223 closed sales, down 14.8% from a year earlier, and a $421,000 median closed price, up 1.4%. Pending sales fell 1.8% to 2,313, while 5.4 months of inventory was slightly below the year-earlier level. www.unlockmls.com

Those September results should not be treated as a new weekly change or directly compared with Realtor.com’s October asking-price figures. Together, they show why buyers and sellers need to look at both current listings and recently completed sales when evaluating a particular home.

A local supply development to watch

Within the city of Austin, the HOME Phase 1 program has approved 1,529 new housing units across 767 applications, according to city data updated November 4. These are approvals accumulated since the program began, not homes already built or available for purchase. They are one sign of where additional small-scale housing could emerge over time. www.austintexas.gov

The right strategy still depends on the neighborhood, property type and monthly budget. Whether you are comparing homes in Austin, Round Rock, San Marcos or a nearby community, Taylor Realty Group can help you put the broader numbers in context for your specific move.