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There's no shortage of opinions about the housing market. Driving It Home gives you something better: an accurate, data-driven perspective on Central Texas real estate straight from the experts at Unlock MLS. Every episode, we cut through the noise to bring you the trends, insights, and market updates that keep real estate professionals one step ahead — so you're caught up before you finish your morning drive.
Driving It Home is produced by Unlock MLS, the most complete, timely, and accurate source of housing market activity for the 18-county Central Texas region. Learn more at UnlockMLS.com.
Driving It Home is produced by Unlock MLS, the most complete, timely, and accurate source of housing market activity for the 18-county Central Texas region. Learn more at UnlockMLS.com.
124 Episodes
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Is the bottom behind us? In this episode of the Unlock MLS Market Update Podcast, market research advisor Vaike O'Grady walks through the February 2026 Central Texas housing market — and the signs are worth paying attention to. From December's cyclical lows to back-to-back monthly gains in pending sales and close-to-list ratios, the data is telling an encouraging story. Tune in for the full picture and what it may mean for buyers, sellers, and their agents.Links mentioned in the episode:Central Texas Housing Market Statistics https://www.unlockmls.com/statsFlex Listings https://www.unlockmls.com/flexUnlock MLS Research Page https://www.unlockmls.com/research
This week on Driving It Home, we’re trying something new — starting with a quick, hyperlocal market pulse from Vaike O’Grady: five minutes, three headlines you need to know right now in Central Texas real estate.Then Emily Girard sits down with Taylor Smith to talk about how affordability is playing out in Austin, and the things our local leaders are doing to keep an eye on it overall. Links mentioned in the episode:Austin household growth (NAR): https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/austin-tx-one-of-the-fastest-growing-areas-for-households-in-the-country-over-the-past-decade Austin named top capital city to live in (Realtor.com): https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/best-state-capitals-to-live-2026/ Opportunity Austin / 3billion announcement: https://opportunityaustin.com/3billion/ Voter resource hub: https://unlockmls.com/vote
In this month’s Unlock MLS Market Update, we take a closer look at how the Central Texas housing market is evolving as we moved from December into January — and how today’s conditions compare to this time last year. We unpack sales and leasing momentum, explain why pricing strategy matters more than ever, and share ZIP-level snapshots that highlight where homes are still moving and where sellers retain leverage. It’s a practical, data-informed conversation designed to help agents price, position, and advise clients with confidence in today’s market.Links: Unlock Stats Unlock Stats Lab registrationBroker Forum
December 2025 didn’t deliver a rebound but it did deliver clarity. In the latest Unlock MLS Market Update Podcast, we break down where the Central Texas housing market actually landed at the end of 2025. From realistic pricing and balanced inventory to patient buyers and a rental market driven by payment certainty, this episode explains why Austin is entering 2026 on steadier ground — and what that means for agents, buyers, and sellers navigating what comes next.
In this episode of Driving it Home, Emily and Market Research Advisor Vaike O’Grady break down what the latest data reveals about Austin’s housing market. The conversation looks back at how 2025 unfolded—from shifting buyer behavior to rising inventory—and explores what those trends signal for 2026. It’s a grounded, data-driven discussion focused on clarity, context, and what comes next for Central Texas real estate.
In this episode of Driving it Home, Emily and Market Research Advisor Vaike O’Grady take a clear-eyed look back at Austin’s 2025 housing market. From slower sales and rising inventory to new home activity to surprisingly steady prices, the data shows a market that behaved largely as expected amid higher rates and economic uncertainty. The conversation sets the stage for what stability—and selective opportunity—may mean heading into 2026.
Prop Q made headlines — but what actually happened? Emily Girard sits down with Taylor Smith to unpack the vote, the budget changes that followed, and what it all means for housing, affordability, and the future of Austin. Get the facts and the key takeaways real estate professionals need to know.
This new Unlock MLS episode breaks down Q3 trends, Austin’s October stability, fresh job market signals, and NAR’s latest 2026 outlook. Vaike and Danielle share what agents need to know now — and why there’s reason for optimism heading into the new year.Mentioned Links:Market Research and Statistics https://www.unlockmls.com/stats UnlockMLS Stats https://www.unlockmls.com/unlockstats
This month’s episode of Driving It Home cuts through one of the noisiest economic months we’ve seen all year. Between the federal shutdown, delayed data, shifting mortgage-rate expectations, and some surprising wins for Central Texas—from Samsung’s supplier expansion to major growth at ABIA—we break down what really mattered for Austin’s October housing market. If your clients are asking what’s happening out there, this is the clear, calm update they need.Mentioned Links:UnlockMLS Stats https://www.unlockmls.com/stats Driving It Home Advocacy Panel from Central Texas Housing Summit https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jIQjgsRhqnp2G5t2LempJ?si=39445ead0dd94925 Driving It Home Episode w/ Taylor Smith https://open.spotify.com/episode/7kt7bruhVdsBHnkUvspcf6?si=7596c9245ad841c4
In this episode of Driving It Home, Kelea Youngblood and Vaike O’Grady discuss the Fed’s recent rate cut, the unexpected rise in mortgage rates, and national home sale cancellations. placing it all in context with Austin’s continued economic strength and the region’s steady, well-balanced housing market.
Emily Girard hosts a special episode of 'Driving at Home,' featuring highlights from the Central Texas Housing Summit's advocacy panel. Industry leaders discuss the key drivers of regional growth, including business recruitment, population growth, and infrastructure investment. They also address the impact of economic development on housing demand and the challenges of maintaining affordability.Presenter Slides: https://assets.ctfassets.net/pu0snv8rn9fa/5sHGYSPqq6dPmIejwpQbdN/f4f9533b5c71a4a271b86796f94eab4d/2025_CTXHS_Presentation_Slides.pdf
In this episode of Driving at Home, we take an early look at September’s Central Texas Housing Market report.
The federal government has shut down, and it's not just a political headline—it has real implications for your transactions. In this critical episode recorded on Day 1 of the shutdown, Emily and Taylor break down exactly how the shutdown affects real estate and mortgage services, from the National Flood Insurance Program (threatening 1,400 transactions per day) to FHA condo approvals, USDA loans, and IRS verifications. Whether you have clients in flood zones, federal employees mid-transaction, or buyers relying on government-backed loans, this episode gives you the actionable information you need to protect your deals and position yourself as the trusted expert who helps clients navigate uncertainty.
UnlockMLS brings you key takeaways from the recent Central Texas Housing Summit featuring Vaike O'Grady. This data-packed episode covers how Central Texas is growing, the current state of our housing market, and actionable statistics you can share with clients. Grab a pen and paper, and check the show notes for Vaike's presentation materials to follow along. If you're interested in diving deeper into market data, don't miss the upcoming Unlock Stats and Data Lab sessions—members can register at UnlockMLS.com/events.Presenter Slides: https://assets.ctfassets.net/pu0snv8rn9fa/5sHGYSPqq6dPmIejwpQbdN/f4f9533b5c71a4a271b86796f94eab4d/2025_CTXHS_Presentation_Slides.pdf
UnlockMLS brings you key takeaways from the recent Central Texas Housing Summit featuring Hannah Jones. This data-packed episode covers how Central Texas is growing, the current state of our housing market, and actionable statistics you can share with clients. Grab a pen and paper, and check the show notes for Hannah's presentation materials to follow along. If you're interested in diving deeper into market data, don't miss the upcoming Unlock Stats and Data Lab sessions—members can register at UnlockMLS.com/events.Presenter Slides: https://assets.ctfassets.net/pu0snv8rn9fa/5sHGYSPqq6dPmIejwpQbdN/f4f9533b5c71a4a271b86796f94eab4d/2025_CTXHS_Presentation_Slides.pdf
In August, the weather is hot but the Austin housing market has cooled off. However, demand is building beneath the surface. In this episode, we break down the highlights from the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin’s Mid-Year Forecast, and how new home activity is shifting. We also unpack the latest economic data and what the Federal Reserve’s upcoming September meeting could mean for mortgage rates. With affordability challenges still front and center, a recent study by Wick Marketing shows that trust matters more than ever. Hear why REALTORS® remain the most trusted guides for today’s buyers and sellers.
In this month’s Unlock MLS Market Update Podcast, Kelea Youngblood and Vaike O’Grady spotlight the July 2025 housing stats that bucked the trend. Pending sales surged more than 15% across the metro — and over 22% in Austin — even as overall sales slowed. City prices climbed while the broader market dipped, inventory hit multi-year highs, and county-level data revealed sharp contrasts in market performance. It’s a reminder that Central Texas real estate is hyper-local — and opportunity depends on where you look.
In the latest episode of Driving It Home, Emily interviews interim Market Research Advisor Vaike O’Grady, who breaks down the biggest takeaways from Unlock MLS’s June and Mid-Year 2025 Housing Report. Tune in to hear why the Austin market may be turning a corner, how lease activity is shifting, and what rising inventory means for buyers and sellers in the months ahead.Whether you're an agent, builder, or just trying to make sense of the headlines—this is 20 minutes you won’t want to miss.Mentioned Links:UnlockMLS Flex Listings https://www.unlockmls.com/flex Market Data Lab https://www.unlockmls.com/class/market-data-lab-2OmniMLS https://www.unlockmls.com/omni ABoR Global https://www.unlockmls.com/global
How does this work? Get ready for a special “passing the baton” edition of Driving it Home! Emily brings on Research Advisor Vaike O’Grady to fill in for Housing Economist Clare Knapp, who’s off on leave. You’ll hear Vaike’s journey from Texas to Florida, her unique boots-and-flip-flops perspective, and her plans to steer UnlockMLS research and stats through October. Together, they’ll unpack Austin’s housing evolution, break down the latest mid-year data, and debate what the back half of 2025 might hold – plus that all-important “seafood vs. BBQ” showdown. Tune in for market insights, silver linings, and a peek behind the scenes as Driving it Home shifts to a biweekly rhythm.
In this episode, Kelea Youngblood, Chief Marketing Officer of UnlockMLS and ABoR, and Clare Knapp, Housing Economist, recap a key national economic headline and its likely effect on the Austin housing market over the coming months. The two also unpack the local labor market--specifically, jobs growth and the highest- and lowest-performing job sectors-- as well as new construction in Austin vs. Texas. Links MentionedUnlock MLS Research & Reports
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