Bought in the Last 3 Years? Your Austin Home Might Sell at a Loss.

Market Update Kathleen Magat August 26, 2025

I came across some interesting stats this week and I think it’s something you should know.

According to Redfin, about 13.8% of all active listings in the Austin area are at risk of selling for less than what the owner paid. That’s already one of the highest rates in the country.

But here’s the part catching everyone’s attention: if you bought after July 2022 — during the tail end of the pandemic boom — that number jumps to 47.5%. Nearly half of those recent buyers could be facing a loss if they tried to sell today.

It’s a wild shift from just a couple of years ago when it felt like everything was selling overnight, well over asking.

Here’s why this is happening:

Pandemic prices skyrocketed faster than the market could sustain.\
As rates went up, buyer demand slowed, and inventory piled up.
Now, homes bought at the peak are seeing the biggest squeeze.

But here’s the thing, this doesn’t mean the sky is falling.

If you’ve owned your home for a while, you’ve likely built up healthy equity. And even if you bought recently, it doesn’t always make sense to sell right now. Sometimes the smarter play is holding, renting, or reevaluating your timing.

The bottom line: strategy matters more than ever. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on the market, understanding where you stand can save you a lot of stress — and money.