How to Read the Monthly Unlock MLS Housing Report
Unlock MLS, which is run by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, publishes a Central Texas Housing Report every month. It is the source I use for market stats, because it is based on MLS data.
What it covers
- The Austin metro area
- The City of Austin
- Counties like Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell
The key numbers
- Residential homes sold
- Median price
- New listings
- Active listings
- Pending sales
- Months of inventory
- Average close to list price
- Rental data, including median rent
Year over year comparisons
Each number is compared to the same month last year. That avoids seasonal swings and gives a better sense of direction.
City vs. metro
The City of Austin and the metro area tell different stories. The city has higher prices than the metro overall. Make sure you know which one a headline is quoting.
Why I do not use other sites for stats
Many websites publish their own estimates using different data and boundaries. I stick to Unlock MLS so my numbers are consistent and sourced.
If you want a neighborhood level report, I can pull one for your area.
This article is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and is not an appraisal or a guarantee of value. Market figures come from Unlock MLS and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Rules and programs change, so confirm details with the right professional.