Inman

Austin home sales nail record

The Austin, Texas, real estate market nailed a record 2,805 single-family home sales in August, as for-sale inventory continues to decrease, according to the latest Multiple Listing Service report from the Austin Board of Realtors.

Realtors reported 2,805 single-family home sales last month, up 6 percent from approximately 2,646 sales in August 2005.

“The Austin market continues to buck the national trend because this city is really in the infancy of its life as a major metropolis,” said ABoR Chairman John Rosshirt. “Relative to other big cities, Austin’s prices are a steal. Plus, the quality of life here makes it a desirable destination for people and businesses looking to relocate.”

The median price of single-family properties gained 8 percent from a year ago to $182,500, up from approximately $169,000 in August 2005.

The number of active single-family listings fell by 2 percent year-over-year in August to 8,137, down from 8,368 listings in July.

The properties sold last month sat for 10 percent less time than a year earlier, averaging 60 days on the market, the board reported.

Single-family properties were not alone in experiencing notable gains this August, as townhouse/condo sales increased 20 percent year-over-year to 299, the board reported.

The Austin Board of Realtors is a nonprofit, voluntary organization representing more than 7,500 licensed Realtors in Central Texas.