Eleven Oaks Realty is proud to present their March 2020 Austin Real Estate Price Report measuring activity in the single family home market.
Austin Median Home Price Up 12%
The biggest story this month: median home prices in Austin up again, despite the coronavirus crisis. The median price of an Austin home in March 2019 was $390,000 compared to $438,500 in March 2020, up 12% ($48,500) in year over year numbers. Most of the March solds went under contract in February or early March, so these aren’t the sales that came after the shelter in place rule. It will be interesting to see what next month’s numbers show.
Median home price helps us see the distribution of homes sold and does not really give us an indication of the increase or decrease in a particular home’s market value. To analyze market value, we’d have to take an in depth look at a neighborhood. If you’re looking for something like that, please check out our Austin Home Values Report.
What does this mean to buyers? This month has been a bit of a transition period as we head into this new normal. Most experts are predicting the Austin real estate market won’t be affected too much from coronavirus. That being said, if you would have told all of us a month ago that we would not be able to leave our houses, no one would have believed it. In terms of real estate, I’m seeing less activity, but definitely more serious activity. March and April used to bring buyers who were just dipping their toe in the water, whereas now we’re seeing fewer showings, but every showing is a serious buyer. Which means buyers still have competition. And sellers aren’t taking low ball offers. If a buyer can act quickly, they might just find a seller who is eager to sell and willing to negotiate. And, with interest rates at historic lows, payments will be as affordable as they’ve been in years. If you’re thinking of buying, get pre-approved now, so when the right one comes available, you’ll be ready to act.
What does this mean to sellers? With supply down 15% and demand down only 1%, sellers who position their home well will have no trouble securing a buyer. There are slightly fewer buyers competing for a substantially reduced supply. Time to sell is also down to 17 days, down 26 days from last month, proving that serious buyers ready to act are still in the market. And, with median pice is up 12%, you’ll likely get significantly more than you would have last year. If you’re looking to sell, get your home ready now. Though we are predicting the Austin housing market will fair well in the economic downturn, you still never know. If you’re looking to minimize uncertainty, get your home sold now before we see more changes.
49% Decrease in Time to Sell Home in Austin
In March 2020, it took only 17 days to sell a home in Austin, on average, compared to 33 days in March 2019, marking a 49% (16 day) decrease in year over year numbers. Though we are seeing less activity, we are also seeing more serious buyers who are ready to pull the trigger quickly when something comes up that is of interest.
Number of Homes Taken Off the Market Saw a 67% Increase
In March 2020, there were 246 homes taken off the market compared to 147 in March 2019. This marked a 67% (99 home) increase in year over year numbers. With all of this economic uncertainty, some sellers decided to put their move plans on hold. The decrease in supply and the increase in homes being taken off the market is a big part of the reason prices are holding steady and time to sell is way down. Buyers still feel the fierce competition.
If you need to sell and your home was priced right, maybe there was something else going on. The biggest culprits we see are incorrect info in the MLS and poor marketing. Check out our Austin Home Marketing Plan to see how your homes would be marketed.
Having trouble selling your home? Check out our Austin Home Not Selling resources page to find out why.
Number of Sold Homes in Austin Saw a 2% Increase
Austin saw a 1% decrease in the number of homes sold comparing March 2019 to March 2020. In March 2020, we saw 943 homes sell in Austin compared to 955 in March 2019 marking a 1% (12 home) decrease in year over year numbers.
5% Decrease in Austin Housing Inventory
In March 2020, we saw 1.8 months of inventory on the market, compared to 1.8 months of inventory in March 2019, showing a 5% (0.1 month) decrease in year over year numbers. Though we are in the midst of a global pandemic, we are still seeing extreme seller’s market levels in Austin.
Austin Homes Under Contract Down 17%
In March 2020, 921 homes went pending (under contract) in Austin compared to 1,104 in March 2019, marking a 17% (183 home) decrease in year over year numbers. This is the first indication Austin is feeling any sort of backlash from the coronavirus. It will be interesting to see next month’s numbers.
15% Decrease in Number of Homes on the Market
In March 2020, we had 2,780 homes for sale in Austin, compared to 3,278 in March 2019, showing a 15% (498 home) decrease in year over year numbers. This pandemic spooked some sellers into pulling the plug on their home sales, which caused inventory to go down.
2% Increase in Number of Homes Listed for Sale
In March 2020, we saw 1,414 homes introduced to the market compared to 1,385 in March 2019, marking a 2% (29 home) increase in year over year numbers.
Supply Down 15% and Demand Down 1%
This month we saw a 15% decrease in supply (number of properties for sale) and a 1% decrease in demand (number of sold properties).
Median for Sale Up 7% vs Median Sold Price Up 12%
This chart compares the Median for Sale Price vs the Median Sold Price to show their relationship. In Austin, we saw a 7% increase in the median for sale price and a 12% increase in the median sold price of single family homes in year over year numbers.
Source: Clarus Market Metrics, ACTRIS Sold Data
March 2020 Austin Real Estate Price Report – Strictly Numbers
For those of you who prefer to see the actual numbers, we’ve included the figures for March 2020 Austin home sales below. The most expensive home that sold in March 2020 sold for $4,625,000 and the least expensive home sold for $165,000. Homes ranged in size from 528 sqft – 7,681 sqft with an average size of 2,196 sqft. The average price per square foot for a home that sold in Austin in March 2020 was $258.76 with the lowest being $78.66/sqft and the highest being $1,390.98/sqft. It took, on average, 32 days to sell a home in Austin and sellers received, on average, 100.17% of their original list prices.
| Beds | Baths | SqFt | List Price | LP/SqFt | Sold Price | SP/SqFt | SP/LP | SP/OLP | ADOM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 1 | 1 | 528 | $170,000 | $84.42 | $165,000 | $78.66 | 70.52% | 60.47% | 0 |
| Max | 7 | 8 | 7,681 | $4,895,000 | $1,472.18 | $4,625,000 | $1,390.98 | 124.44% | 124.44% | 592 |
| Avg | 3 | 3 | 2,196 | $550,542 | $259.00 | $548,347 | $258.76 | 100.17% | 99.49% | 32 |
| Median | 3 | 3 | 1,965 | $430,000 | $220.77 | $438,750 | $221.82 | 100% | 100% | 6 |
| Search Criteria | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Sold | Sold Date | Mar-20 |
| Property Type | Single Family Homes | Number Sold | 962 |
| Source: | ABoR Sales Data | Area | Austin |
Time to Buy? Sell?
As we always say, the best time to buy or sell a home is when you need to buy or sell. If you have a house to buy, buying when its a sellers market may hurt you on the buying end, but you’ll make it up on the selling end. If you’re trying to get into the market for the first time, the only way you’ll know that we’ve “hit bottom” is when its in the rear view mirror. Work with professionals who can help you analyze your financial and lifestyle to determine if now is the right time to buy or sell.
Looking strictly at the numbers, it appears the recommendation for this month is – it’s time to sell. Inventory is down to 1.8 months, which is extreme seller’s market levels. Though demand is down 1%, supply is down 15%, so buyers are definitely feeling the shortage. And, with new listings only up 2%, we don’t see inventory replenishing fast enough to keep up with demand. If demand slows, we might get into a more balanced market, but not until then. With this decrease in supply and big increase in expired listings (up 67%), it’s no wonder median price is up 12%. Motivated buyers are in the market, snatching up inventory, on average, in 17 days. Sellers who are looking to sell should get their homes on the market soon. We really don’t know where this market is going with the recent shutdown.
If you’re a seller who needs to sell now, work with a professional Realtor who can help you position your home as the best value on the market. Check out our 88 Ways to Sell Your Home Faster and For More Money for some tips on how you can prepare your home to meet the market. For more info about our Home Selling Program and why it is the best in Austin, check out Sell My Austin Home.
If you’re looking to buy, keep in mind demand hasn’t picked up as much as it is expected to this spring. If supply doesn’t increase and demand even stays where it is, you’ll likely be paying more for a home because there are only so many homes available. Now when people are wondering what to do because of the coronavirus, you might have a small window to capitalize on sellers looking to get out. If this year is anything like the other years, buying earlier in the season usually works out better for buyers in the long run. Also, interest rates are at historic lows. Combine a more competitive price and lower interest rates, your payment will likely be less than it would if you wait. Interest rates are the single biggest driver of increases in payments. You could end up paying less per month for a more expensive home. Plus, you have this odd time of year on your side. Buyers who think we are approaching a slowdown due to the coronavirus will become complacent. If you set alerts, check out new listings as soon as they’re listed and are prepared to make offers, you’ll beat other buyers to the best homes. And, if you’re ready to act, you can make an offer before the competition has time to see it. The best homes are still selling quickly, especially since there are fewer overall choices. You’ll want to give yourself ample time to make a decision. Get your search set up and start looking at new listings now. If you’re looking to buy, we can help you be successful. We know the market and know how to get the best deal for a buyer. For more info about buying a home, visit Buy a Home in Austin.
Questions About the Austin Real Estate Price Report?
Do you have questions about this Austin Real Estate Price Report? Call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@11OaksRealty.com and we’ll help you in any way we can. If you’re looking to buy or sell Austin real estate, don’t forget to check out our Buyer Resources and our Seller Resources for more tips.
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