OHA Market Update Series - April 10, 2025
National: The week of April 13–19 is projected to be the best time to sell a home in 2025, offering peak buyer demand, higher prices, and lower competition. However, the entire spring season—especially April through June—is an excellent window to market your home in Austin.
Local: The City of Austin is partnering with Housing Connector to help vulnerable residents find housing by connecting them with vacant rental units, offering support to both landlords and tenants. Investors interested in becoming part of this initiative are encouraged to reach out and learn how they can get involved.
Intrigued? Keep reading.
(4 minute read)
National Real Estate Update
Housing Trends, Interest Rates, and Market Forecasts
🏡 Ready to Make a Move? April 13–19 is the Best Week to Sell in 2025!
If you've been thinking about selling your home this year, the stars are aligning—and the time to act is now. According to a recent Realtor.com® study analyzing trends from 2018–2024, the week of April 13–19, 2025, is projected to be the single best week of the year to list your home. This timeframe offers a near-perfect blend of favorable market conditions for sellers—making it the ideal window to showcase your home and achieve a great result.
📈 Why This Week Stands Out:
Higher Sale Prices: Homes listed during this week have historically sold for 1.1% above the yearly average, and 6.7% more than homes listed earlier in the year. That could mean $27,000 more compared to January prices.
Surge in Buyer Demand: Listings during this week tend to receive nearly 18% more views, translating to increased attention, more showings, and a higher chance of receiving multiple offers.
Faster Sales: Homes sell about 9 days quicker than average—meaning less stress, less waiting, and a faster path to your next chapter.
Less Competition: With 13.2% fewer sellers on the market than in other weeks, your home has a greater chance to stand out and shine.
Fewer Price Reductions: Thanks to strong demand, there are typically 21% fewer price drops during this time, allowing sellers to retain more equity and avoid unnecessary concessions.
🏘️ What’s Happening in the 2025 Market:
The spring selling season is heating up, and 2025 is shaping up to be more favorable for sellers than we've seen in recent years. Inventory is rising but still lags behind pre-pandemic levels, creating opportunity for sellers with move-in-ready homes. Buyers, encouraged by slightly lower mortgage rates and more choices, are re-entering the market with renewed energy.
While 2024 was marked by affordability challenges and high interest rates, the tide may be turning. Mortgage rates are expected to settle in the mid-to-low 6% range later this year, which could fuel buyer momentum even more. And with increased flexibility among buyers and a better balance of supply and demand, the spring months offer a powerful window of opportunity.
OHA’s HOT TAKE:
While the week of April 13–19 is predicted to be the best window to sell, the truth is this entire spring and early summer—April through June—represents a golden opportunity for homeowners in the Austin area. Listing your home during this season means tapping into the height of buyer activity, when homes show their best and families are planning for summer moves.
If you're even thinking about selling this year, now is the time to start the conversation. Let’s connect and build a custom plan for your home so you’re ready to make the most of this powerful season. With the right prep and strategy, you could be moving on to your next adventure sooner than you think—and with a great return in hand.
Austin Area Real Estate & Community Update:
Market Trends, Local News, and Neighborhood Insights
Austin Partners with Nonprofit & Zillow to Help Vulnerable Residents Find Housing
The City of Austin just took a big step in addressing housing insecurity. They’ve teamed up with Housing Connector, a nonprofit using Zillow-powered tech to help Austinites with major housing barriers find available rental homes. The partnership aims to connect people who have income (or rental assistance) but still face hurdles like past evictions or credit challenges—with landlords who have vacant units and are willing to work with them.
According to the city’s Homeless Strategy Officer, David Gray, about 2,000 local units are already available through the platform. The city’s also backing the program with funds to help stabilize renters once they’re housed, even covering minor damage repairs for landlords when needed.
What makes this different? This isn’t just a basic apartment search. Here’s how it works:
A person facing housing instability visits a local partner like Sunrise Navigation Center.
A case manager builds a renter profile based on income, voucher support, and housing needs.
They use a Zillow-style platform to browse listings that accept Housing Connector clients.
Renters submit applications along with a special Housing Connector support letter, which asks landlords to use more flexible screening criteria.
After move-in, Housing Connector continues to check in, keeping communication open between the renter, landlord, and community partner to make sure things go smoothly.
Since launching in Seattle in 2019, Housing Connector has expanded to cities like Denver, Dallas, Portland—and now, Austin. So far, they’ve helped over 9,000 people get into housing. And the success rate is encouraging:
About 90% of clients stay housed for at least one year
Around 80% make it to two years
Why this matters: We still have far too many units sitting empty while people in our city are in real need. Housing Connector is aiming to close that gap. If you’re a landlord, property owner, or part of a local outreach group, now’s the time to get involved.
💡 Key benefits for property owners:
Fill vacant units faster
City support available for damages or unexpected costs
Be part of a solution to housing instability in Austin
👉 You can learn more about the process and property owner benefits here.
As Shayna Dunitz, Housing Connector’s Austin Director, put it:
“No unit should sit vacant while there are folks in need of homes—and we have a lot of folks in need of homes here in Austin.”
OHA’s HOT TAKE:
This initiative is incredibly important for several reasons:
Addressing Housing Instability: Austin, like many growing cities, faces significant housing challenges. Many individuals, particularly those with past evictions, low credit, or other barriers, often find themselves locked out of the private rental market. This partnership provides a crucial bridge by helping these individuals find homes, which ultimately helps reduce homelessness and housing insecurity.
Reducing Vacancy in Austin: Many rental units sit vacant in Austin due to the high demand for affordable housing, yet some landlords are hesitant to rent to people with housing barriers. Housing Connector's program ensures that no unit stays vacant while there are individuals in need of housing. By connecting landlords with tenants who are ready to pay rent, the city can make better use of available inventory.
Support for Landlords: Landlords who participate in the program receive support throughout the process. This includes a letter of support that simplifies tenant screening and ensures that rent payments are being managed. They also get city assistance if repairs are needed, which helps minimize the risks of renting to tenants who might otherwise face barriers. In essence, it makes renting to vulnerable individuals a less risky and more rewarding experience for property owners.
Long-Term Success: Housing Connector is designed not just to get people into homes, but to help them succeed there. With follow-up support, tenants are more likely to stay in their units for longer periods. This reduces turnover for landlords and creates stability for renters, helping to ensure that the transition into housing is successful and sustainable.
Community Impact: By participating, landlords and community organizations contribute to reducing the number of individuals facing housing instability. This partnership fosters a more inclusive and equitable Austin, where everyone has the opportunity to have a home.
Overall, this partnership is about making Austin a city where housing is accessible to everyone, including those who face significant barriers. It provides a valuable solution to a persistent issue while benefiting both the community and property owners.
If you’re an investor looking to become this kind of landlord and make a positive impact, reach out today to learn more and get involved!
Jennifer Carey
Realtor and Agent Success Manager at Open House Austin, real estate investor, and renovation enthusiast with Wimberley Airbnbs. She loves mid-century modern design, hiking Austin with her dogs, yoga, and exploring creative hobbies like painting, pottery, and embroidery. 🎶✨
