Austin Real Estate in Early 2026, What I’m Seeing Right Now (and What It Means for You)
Happy New Year, Austin! Before we talk numbers, I just want to pause and say thank you, truly. 2025 asked a lot of all of us, with shifting conditions, nonstop headlines, and a market that kept changing the rules. I’m incredibly grateful to every client, friend, and referral partner who trusted us through it. It was an honor to help so many families take brave, thoughtful steps into new chapters, and I’m proud of the way people stayed grounded, patient, and focused on what was right for their life.
Now here’s the part that has me feeling genuinely optimistic going into 2026.
The last two weeks have been a different vibe
It got very quiet at the end of 2025, which is normal around the holidays, but this year it felt extra quiet. People unplugged, took a breather, and focused on what actually matters. Totally fair.
But since the new year? The energy has shifted.
At our recent open houses, we’ve seen a level of activity I have not felt in months. More new buyers are out, more are submitting mortgage applications, and more are starting the “let’s look around and get serious” phase.
If you’ve been waiting for proof that people are still buying in Austin, this is it.
Sellers are waking up too, and spring is going to be busy
I’m also getting a wave of seller calls right now. The big question I’m hearing is, “Should we list for spring, and what will the market look like?”
One key detail from the start of January, we saw over 1,200 listings withdraw from the MLS. In plain English, those homes didn’t sell, and those sellers hit pause. Many of them are likely to re-list in the spring.
So yes, I anticipate more inventory coming.
But here’s the important part, I also anticipate more buyers entering the market.
My take, Austin is moving toward a balanced market
This is what a balanced market can look like, opportunity on both sides.
For buyers:
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More inventory usually means more choice, and less panic.
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Negotiating power is still on the table, especially on homes that are overpriced, poorly presented, or have been sitting.
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If you’re strategic, you can still get a very good deal.
For sellers:
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You can still walk away with meaningful equity, but strategy matters more than ever.
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“List it and hope” is not a plan in 2026.
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The sellers who win are the ones who price correctly, position the home beautifully, and understand what today’s buyers will and will not tolerate.
If you’re thinking about selling this spring, start now
If spring inventory is about to swell, the best thing you can do is get ahead of it. That might mean:
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Dialing in your pricing strategy based on real comps, not wishful thinking
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Tackling high-ROI make-ready items (and skipping the ones that do not pay you back)
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Getting a clean, confident marketing plan built before you hit the MLS
When you do this early, you reduce stress, control the timeline, and avoid chasing the market later.
The bottom line
I’m feeling very positive about 2026. The early activity is encouraging, the conversations are picking up, and Austin is settling into something that feels more normal, more balanced, and frankly, more workable for both buyers and sellers.
If you want help making a smart plan, whether you’re buying, selling, or just trying to read the tea leaves, my team and I are always here.
Here’s to health, prosperity, and a lot of joy in 2026.
With Love from ATX,
Khani Zulu Group
