Austin, TX Real Estate for Sale

Austin home prices vary widely by neighborhood, home size, and whether you’re looking at a condo, starter home, or luxury property. A good approach is to track the median sold price in the specific Austin neighborhoods you like, since that’s more useful than a single citywide number. Your agent can also pull recent comps to show what homes are actually selling for (not just listed at).

It can be—depending on your timeline, budget, and how long you plan to stay. Austin real estate tends to move in cycles, and “good time to buy” often comes down to whether you can negotiate (price, repairs, rate buydowns, or closing credits) and lock in a monthly payment you’re comfortable with. If you’re buying for the long term, finding the right location and home fit usually matters more than perfectly timing the market.

Some parts of Austin can still feel competitive, especially for well-priced homes in high-demand areas near major employers, top schools, or popular amenities. Competition often shows up as multiple offers, shorter decision windows, or fewer concessions from sellers. The best strategy is being fully pre-approved, moving quickly on the right listings, and using data (recent sales) to guide your offer.

Many families prioritize school options, parks, and commute convenience, which is why areas like Circle C Ranch, Steiner Ranch, Brushy Creek, and parts of Northwest Austin are commonly searched. The “best” fit depends on whether you want a planned community vibe, walkability, newer homes, or larger lots. It’s smart to tour neighborhoods at different times of day to get a feel for traffic, noise, and lifestyle.

Buyers often look for walkability, restaurants, nightlife, and a manageable commute—so places like Downtown, South Congress (SoCo), Zilker, East Austin, Mueller, and The Domain area come up a lot. Condos and townhomes are common in these areas, along with smaller single-family homes depending on your budget. Think about your daily routine first (work, gym, errands), then narrow neighborhoods around that.

Investors typically focus on rental demand, job growth, school proximity, and future development—often looking in areas like East Austin, North Austin, the tech corridor, and nearby suburbs where entry prices may be lower. Short-term rental rules and HOA restrictions can also matter a lot, depending on your strategy. Before you buy, run realistic rent comps and confirm any city/HOA regulations that affect leasing.

Property taxes in the Austin area can feel high compared to other states, and your actual bill depends on the home’s taxable value, exemptions (like homestead), and which county/school district you’re in. Rates and totals can vary meaningfully between Travis, Williamson, and Hays County, so it’s important to model taxes on the exact address—not a rough city average. Many counties offer online estimators to help you plan. 

New construction often means modern layouts, energy efficiency, and less immediate maintenance—but it can come with HOA rules, smaller lots, and pricing that changes quickly as communities sell out. Older Austin homes may offer mature trees, larger yards, and prime central locations, but you’ll want to budget for inspections, repairs, and potential updates (roof, plumbing, electrical). The right choice depends on how “move-in ready” you need the home to be.

Most Austin buyers start with budgeting and pre-approval, then work with an agent to tour homes, make an offer, and negotiate terms. After you’re under contract, you’ll typically go through inspections, appraisal, title work, and final loan approval before closing. Texas also uses standardized contracts in many transactions, which helps keep the process structured and predictable.

Down payment depends on your loan type (and can range from low down-payment options to 20%+), while closing costs are separate and often land around 2%–5% of the purchase price (loan fees, title, escrow, prepaid items like taxes/insurance). In Texas, property taxes are commonly prorated at closing, and if you escrow taxes/insurance, you may pay some upfront as part of closing. A lender can give you a loan estimate early so there are no surprises.