December 2025 Austin Metro Real Estate Update
As expected, December closed out the year on a slower note, in line with typical seasonal trends. The holiday season tends to be the quietest time for real estate activity across the Austin Metro, but with spring and early summer just around the corner — our busiest selling seasons — it’s the perfect time to assess where the market stands now and where it may be heading.
In summary, after looking at the December data, we saw total sales increase by 5.7% compared to December 2024, despite weaker buyer demand. The median sold price dropped 3.7% year over year. Active listings were up 11.7%, pushing inventory levels up nearly 20% compared to last year. Withdrawn and expired listings jumped 12.5%, and days on market increased to 104 days, up 10.9% from last year.
Let’s dive a little deeper.
Average and Median Price Trends Hold Flat
In December, the average sold price for residential properties in the 5-county Austin Metro ticked up slightly to $572,954.
However, the median sold price fell 3.7% to $432,139 from December 2024. Buyers are still adjusting to higher borrowing costs and more price-sensitive spending.
Sales Volume Rose Despite Lower Prices
Even though median prices declined, overall sales volume for December increased 1.8% year over year. This increase was driven by a bump in the number of closed transactions rather than higher prices.
Looking at the year-to-date (YTD) numbers, total volume sold for 2025 was down 2.3% from 2024, signaling the effects of both affordability constraints and shifting buyer demand. Buyers were active in December, but overall volume for the year was slightly lower than the previous year.
Pending Contracts Point to Slower Momentum
One leading indicator to watch is pending contracts. Total UC/Pending listings were down 4.1% year over year in December. Month-to-month comparisons also show that 2025 trailed 2024 pending activity for most of the second half of the year, suggesting slower momentum heading into the new year.
New Listings Staying Steady Heading into Spring
New listings were nearly flat in December. However, the full-year trend shows a more active listing market in 2025 compared to 2024, indicating that more sellers are expected to enter the market in 2026. This could put downward pressure on prices if buyer demand doesn’t keep up.
Inventory and Days on Market Increase
The Austin Metro closed December with 4.4 months of inventory, up from 3.7 months in December 2024. Average days on market rose from 94 to 104 days, suggesting longer timelines to get under contract and more negotiating power for buyers.
If You’re a Buyer
This is shaping up to be a great spring for buyers. That said, well-priced homes in prime locations are still moving quickly. Getting prepared early will put you in a stronger position as spring competition picks up.
If You’re a Seller
While prices are flat overall, homes are still selling. If you’re planning to list in spring or early summer, now is the time to prepare. Pricing competitively and ensuring strong marketing and presentation will be more important in 2026 than in past years. Data shows that buyers are active when listings are strategic and realistic.
Always remember that all of this depends on your specific situation and area. If we can help you in any way, please reach out!
Thanks, and have a great one!