OHA Market Update Series - Feb 27, 2025

National Real Estate Update:

Housing Trends, Interest Rates, and Market Forecasts

Selling Off the MLS Could Cost You Thousands—Here’s Why You Should Think Twice

Zillow’s latest study confirms what many of us in real estate already suspected—sellers who listed their homes off the MLS in 2023 and 2024 left serious money on the table, losing an average of nearly $5,000 per home, adding up to over $1 billion in total losses. In some cases, those losses reached as high as $30,000. Despite overwhelming data showing that MLS-listed homes sell for more, some brokerages are still pushing private listings, often to "double dip" on commissions by keeping both the buyer and seller in-house. What’s worse, many agents aren’t fully educating their clients on the risks of off-market listings, which can limit exposure and ultimately reduce a seller’s profit. The takeaway? If you’re selling, make sure your home gets the full market exposure it deserves—otherwise, you might be leaving thousands behind.

OHA’s HOT TAKE:

This is important because it directly impacts a seller’s bottom line. For most homeowners, their house is their largest financial asset, and getting top dollar should be the priority. When a home isn’t listed on the MLS, it reaches fewer buyers, which means less competition and, ultimately, a lower sales price.

Some brokerages push private listings under the guise of offering “exclusive” opportunities, but in reality, these listings often benefit the brokerage more than the seller. Without the full market seeing the home, the seller may be missing out on multiple offers or a higher price from a buyer they never knew existed.

Sellers deserve transparency and a clear understanding of the risks. If agents aren’t explaining the financial consequences of selling off the MLS, they’re doing their clients a disservice. The data from Zillow and other sources makes it clear—homes listed on the MLS sell for more, and sellers who go off-market could be sacrificing thousands of dollars.

If you’re thinking about selling, make sure you have an agent who prioritizes your best interests, not their commission. Want to talk about the best strategy to sell your home for the highest price? Let’s connect—We’d love to help you navigate the market and get you the best deal possible.

Austin Area Real Estate & Community Update:

Market Trends, Local News, and Neighborhood Insights

Austin Housing Market Update: Prices, Inventory, and How Long Homes Are Taking to Sell

As of January 2025, Austin's housing market is seeing some shifts:

• The median home price across the metro is $409,765, down 4.7% from last year, with homes in Austin proper averaging $553,465 and Caldwell County coming in lowest at $287,995.

• Homes are sitting on the market for an average of 84 days, though some zip codes are moving in as little as 16 days, while others are taking over 300 days.

• Right now, there are 9,616 active listings, with Travis County leading the pack at 4,468. Inventory sits at 5.6 months across the metro, meaning we’re still in a fairly balanced market, though Bastrop County has the most inventory, and Williamson County the least.

• When it comes to home values, 78746 tops the charts at $1.63M, while 76877 has the lowest at $172K.

OHA’s HOT TAKE:

Understanding these market trends is crucial for both buyers and sellers to make informed decisions.

For sellers, knowing that home prices have dipped slightly and that homes are sitting on the market for an average of 84 days means proper pricing and strategic marketing are more important than ever. If you overprice, your home may sit longer, and with increasing inventory, buyers have more options.

For buyers, this data highlights opportunities—with prices down 4.7% year-over-year and inventory at 5.6 months, it’s a more balanced market than the intense seller’s market of the past few years. If you’re looking to buy, you might have more negotiating power and less competition in certain areas.

Tracking neighborhood-specific trends, like how fast homes are selling and typical home values, helps both sides strategize the best timing and pricing for their moves.

Thinking about buying or selling this year? Let’s chat! I’d love to help you navigate the market and create a strategy that works for you.

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 piano. 🎶✨