Unlock MLS: Central Texas home sales decline in Q1 amid economic uncertainty in continued high-rate environment
AUSTIN, Texas – According to the 2025-Q1 Central Texas Housing Report released by Unlock MLS, residential home sales across the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA declined to 6,698 listings, a 9.1% drop from the first quarter of 2024. During the same time frame, median sales price dipped 2.3% to $429,869 while housing inventory reached 5.3 months, moving the region closer into balanced housing market conditions.
Quarterly numbers were strongly impacted by March 2025 sales activity, during which the five-county MSA experienced 9.3% fewer sales, gained 9.5% new listings and median sales price remained flat year-over-year.
Clare Knapp, Ph.D., housing economist for Unlock MLS and the Austin Board of REALTORS®, pointed to affordability constraints as well as growing economic headwinds as key factors shaping early-year market activity.
“We started the year with a continuation of similar trends that shaped the market in 2024. However, stubbornly high mortgage rates and a weaker local labor market weighed on buyer confidence, while many sellers remained reluctant to adjust pricing expectations. That squeeze on buyer power shaped much of the activity we saw in the first quarter, reinforcing the need for greater flexibility and balance on both sides of the transaction.”
For the first quarter of 2025, the number of active listings on the market saw an 18.9% increase from 2024-Q1, allowing buyers to benefit from greater choice and negotiating power, leading to longer decision timelines and more strategic purchases. These continued shifts point to a market that is evolving—offering a more thoughtful pace for both buyers and sellers.
Brandy Wuensch, 2025 Unlock MLS and ABoR president, noted that current market conditions are enabling buyers to slow down, weigh their options and make more thoughtful decisions.
“With a wider range of listings to choose from, buyers are using this time to evaluate their choices, be selective and focus on homes that best fit their needs and lifestyle. This shift allows buyers to be more intentional with their decisions and to plan for long-term success. Working with a REALTOR® is essential in this kind of environment someone who understands the nuances of the local market can help buyers navigate every step of the process with confidence and make more informed, strategic moves along the way.”
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA
Q1 2025 - For Sale
6,698 – Residential homes sold, 9.1% less than Q1 2024.
$429,869 – Median price for residential homes, 2.3% less than Q1 2024.
12,649 – New home listings on the market, 8.5% more than Q1 2024.
31,930 – Active home listings on the market, 18.9% more than Q1 2024.
7,539 – Pending sales, 6.0% less than Q1 2024.
5.3 – Months of inventory, 1.1 months more than Q1 2024.
$3,440,987,846 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 8.1% less than Q1 2024.
93.5% – Average close to list price, compared to 93.8% in Q1 2024.
March 2025 - For Sale
2,461 – Residential homes sold, 9.3% less than March 2024.
$446,000 – Median price for residential homes, 0.9% less than March 2024.
5,142 – New home listings on the market, 9.5% more than March 2024.
11,659 – Active home listings on the market, 18.8% more than March 2024.
3,064 – Pending sales, 3.1% more than March 2024.
4.8 – Months of inventory, 0.7 months more than March 2024.
$1,447,661,800 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 6.7% less than March 2024.
94.4% – Average close to list price, compared to 94.8% in March 2024.
March 2025 - For Lease
2,021 – Closed leases, 0.2% less than March 2024.
$2,200 – Median price for rent, 4.1% less than March 2024.
2,387 – New lease listings on the market, 1.2% less than March 2024.
3,647 – Active lease listings on the market, 0.9% less than March 2024.
2,283 – Pending leases, 10.9% more than March 2024.
1.8 – Months of inventory, flat compared to March 2024.
$3,946,012 – Total dollar volume of leases, 8.4% less than March 2024.
96.8% – Average close to list price, compared to 97.1% in March 2024.
City of Austin
March 2025 - For Sale
857 – Residential homes sold, 8.9% less than March 2024.
$590,750 – Median price for residential homes, 5.5% more than March 2024.
2,125 – New home listings on the market, 17.3% more than March 2024.
4,363 – Active home listings on the market, 23.7% more than March 2024.
1,013 – Pending sales, 4.2% less than March 2024.
5.2 – Months of inventory, 0.9 months more than March 2024.
$665,174,058 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 4.3% less than March 2024.
94.0% – Average close to list price, compared to 94.6% in March 2024.
March 2025 - For Lease
892 – Closed leases, 5.7% less than March 2024.
$2,450 – Median price for rent, flat compared to March 2024.
1,102 – New lease listings on the market, 6.2% less than March 2024.
1,840 – Active lease listings on the market, 7.9% less than March 2024.
1,036 – Pending leases, 7.0% more than March 2024.
2.1 – Months of inventory, flat compared to March 2024.
$2,202,410 – Total dollar volume of leases, 8.4% less than March 2024.
96.8% – Average close to list price, compared to 95.9% in March 2024.
Travis County
March 2025 - For Sale
1,117 – Residential homes sold, 11.2% less than March 2024.
$529,950 – Median price for residential homes, 4.9% more than March 2024.
2,658 – New home listings on the market, 14.7% more than March 2024.
5,735 – Active home listings on the market, 18.6% more than March 2024.
1,342 – Pending sales, 2.8% less than March 2024.
5.3 – Months of inventory, 1.0 months more than March 2024.
$807,612,791– Total dollar volume of homes sold, 5.7% less than March 2024.
94.0% – Average close to list price, compared to 94.5% in March 2024.
March 2025 - For Lease
1,063 – Closed leases, 0.8% less than March 2024.
$2,350 – Median price for rent, 2.1% less than March 2024.
1,315 – New lease listings on the market, 0.8% more than March 2024.
2,192 – Active lease listings on the market, 2.8% less than March 2024.
1,209 – Pending leases, 11.0% more than March 2024.
2.1 – Months of inventory, flat compared to March 2024.
$2,497,865 – Total dollar volume of leases, 5.0% less than March 2024.
96.9% – Average close to list price, compared to 95.9% in March 2024.
Williamson County
March 2025 - For Sale
818 – Residential homes sold, 9.9% less than March 2024.
$418,000 – Median price for residential homes, 1.6% less than March 2024.
1,550 – New home listings on the market, 11.1% more than March 2024.
3,432 – Active home listings on the market, 26.3% more than March 2024.
1,057 – Pending sales, 1.5% more than March 2024.
4.3 – Months of inventory, 0.8 months more than March 2024.
$387,853,193 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 11.9% less than March 2024.
95.8% – Average close to list price, compared to 95.4% in March 2024.
March 2025 - For Lease
697 – Closed leases, 0.2% less than March 2024.
$2,150 – Median price for rent, 2.3% less than March 2024.
809 – New lease listings on the market, 0.5% more than March 2024.
1,043 – Active lease listings on the market, 4.5% more than March 2024.
795 – Pending leases, 11.8% more than March 2024.
1.5 – Months of inventory, 0.1 months more than March 2024.
$1,130,533 – Total dollar volume of leases, 13.1% less than March 2024.
97.2% – Average close to list price, compared to 99.0% in March 2024.
Hays County
March 2025 - For Sale
370 – Residential homes sold, 5.7% less than March 2024.
$390,000 – Median price for residential homes, 2.0% more than March 2024.
676 – New home listings on the market, 1.5% less than March 2024.
1,704 – Active home listings on the market, 8.5% more than March 2024.
497 – Pending sales, 25.5% more than March 2024.
4.7 – Months of inventory, 0.7 months more than March 2024.
$188,753,811 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 1.3% less than March 2024.
92.8% – Average close to list price, compared to 95.0% in March 2024.
March 2025 - For Lease
211 – Closed leases, 9.4% more than March 2024.
$1,989 – Median price for rent, 7.5% less than March 2024.
236 – New lease listings on the market, 18.6% more than March 2024.
316 – Active lease listings on the market, flat compared to March 2024.
227 – Pending leases, 12.4% more than March 2024.
1.5 – Months of inventory, 0.1 months less than March 2024.
$250,334 – Total dollar volume of leases, 18.1% less than March 2024.
95.4% – Average close to list price, compared to 97.0% in March 2024.
Bastrop County
March 2025 - For Sale
126 – Residential homes sold, 10.2% more than March 2024.
$351,250 – Median price for residential homes, 6.3% less than March 2024.
211 – New home listings on the market, 5.8% less than March 2024.
645 – Active home listings on the market, 23.8% more than March 2024.
119 – Pending sales, 12.3% more than March 2024.
5.3 – Months of inventory, 0.8 months more than March 2024.
$52,713,495 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 6.7% more than March 2024.
93.7% – Average close to list price, compared to 92.2% in March 2024.
March 2025 - For Lease
34 – Closed leases, 26.1% less than March 2024.
$2,200 – Median price for rent, 10.0% more than March 2024.
52 – New lease listings on the market, 15.6% more than March 2024.
69 – Active lease listings on the market, 6.8% less than March 2024.
37 – Pending leases, 5.1% less than March 2024.
2.1 – Months of inventory, 0.5 months more than March 2024.
$55,960 – Total dollar volume of leases, 3.0% less than March 2024.
96.6% – Average close to list price, compared to 96.3% in March 2024.
Caldwell County
March 2025 - For Sale
31 – Residential homes sold, 22.8% less than March 2024.
$336,498 – Median price for residential homes, 10.3% more than March 2024.
47 – New home listings on the market, 38.2% less than March 2024.
143 – Active home listings on the market, 13.3% less than March 2024.
49 – Pending sales, 2.1% more than March 2024.
4.8 – Months of inventory, 0.7 months more than March 2024.
$10,728,511 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 25.9% less than March 2024.
95.3% – Average close to list price, compared to 92.9% in March 2024.
March 2025 - For Lease
15 – Closed leases, flat compared to March 2024.
$1,895 – Median price for rent, 2.8% less than March 2024.
12 – New lease listings on the market, 53.8% less than March 2024.
27 – Active lease listings on the market, 30.8% less than March 2024.
15 – Pending leases, 16.7% less than March 2024.
1.8 – Months of inventory, 0.8 months less than March 2024.
$11,320 – Total dollar volume of leases, 9.8% less than March 2024.
98.6% – Average close to list price, compared to 96.3% in March 2024.
For more information or to download the 2025-Q1 Central Texas Housing Market Report, visit UnlockMLS.com/Stats.
Unlock MLS marks the intersection of knowledge, humanity, and home. For nearly 60 years, we’ve fostered the most complete, accurate, timely, and reliable real estate marketplace for the 18-county Central Texas region. In partnership with the 20,000 real estate professionals who power our MLS, we lead the industry in transparency, data integrity, and a people-first focus to make home buying, selling, and renting accessible and attainable for all. For more information, visit UnlockMLS.com.