Happy New Year

by Chantel Russell

Happy New Year!

Fresh starts, new goals, and a housing market that's a little more predictable!

If you’re reading this, welcome to 2026. Whether you’re dreaming about a new home, planning a move to Austin, Texas, or just trying to decide if this is the year to do something different, you’re not alone. A new year always brings clarity, motivation, and (let’s be honest) a little curiosity about what’s next.

Let’s talk a little bit about what the 2026 Austin metro housing market is looking like for this upcoming year.

The past few years were… a lot. We had crazy price jumps, bidding wars, rate hikes, and headlines that made buyers freeze and sellers hesitate. As we begin 2026, it feels a bit different.

Buyers are more confident – they seem to have the upper hand right now.
Sellers are more open to realistic pricing and negotiations.
Builders are motivated – want a “deal”? New construction is the place to go!

Affordability is still a challenge but prices in Austin and surrounding areas have come down and are trending towards balancing out.

Interest rates have been playing a big factor for both buyers and sellers. Sellers don’t want to give up their low rate and buyers only want buy if they can find a way to bring down their rate.

What are the professionals predicting for the 2026 interest rates :

Mortgage rates will hover in the mid-6% range, depending on loan type and credit profile
The Federal Reserve has slowed aggressive moves, signaling a more stable rate environment
Many economists are predicting gradual easing, not dramatic drops

So, what does this mean? It means they will be far more predictable, which makes making plans to buy a home easier.

Here are 3 tips that smart buyers are doing: