ALL AROUND AUSTIN WITH HEATHER POWELL
Austin Real Estate
Insights & Market
Updates
Neighborhood guides, buyer & seller advice,
and monthly market data from a native Austinite.
HEATHER POWELL | COMPASS | AUSTIN, TX
Market Updates, Neighborhood Guides & Expert Advice
The Heather Powell Residential Group blog covers the Austin, Texas housing market — current prices, inventory and mortgage-rate trends, plus practical guidance for buying and selling a home in Austin’s neighborhoods. Every article is written from the perspective of Heather Powell, a homegrown Austinite raised in Tarrytown, University of Texas at Austin graduate, and real estate agent with Compass.
Latest Austin Real Estate Articles
- Barton Creek, Austin: A Guide to Luxury Living in the Hills
Gated enclaves, golf, Hill Country views and access to Eanes ISD in parts: what to know about buying or selling a luxury home in Barton Creek, Austin. - Rate Buydowns, Seller Credits and Smart Offers: Buying in Austin with Mortgage Rates Near 7%
![Rate Buydowns & Seller Credits – Smart offers when rates are near 7% | Heather Powell Group, Austin real estate]()
With 30-year rates near 6.95%, a seller-paid rate buydown can save Austin buyers more than a price cut. Here’s how buydowns and concessions work. - Austin Property Taxes Explained: Homestead Exemptions, the 10% Cap and What Buyers and Sellers Should Know
![Austin Property Taxes, Explained – Homestead exemptions, the 10% cap and more | Heather Powell Group, Austin real estate]()
Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes matter. Learn how the $140,000 homestead exemption, 10% cap and protests work for Austin buyers and sellers. - Westlake Hills & Eanes ISD: A Guide to Buying and Selling in Austin’s Premier Hill Country Enclave
![Westlake Hills & Eanes ISD – Austin's premier Hill Country enclave | Heather Powell Group, Austin real estate]()
Why buyers pay a premium for Westlake Hills and Eanes ISD, what homes look like, and how to buy or sell in Austin’s 78746 luxury enclave. - How to Choose a Luxury Listing Agent in Austin: 9 Questions to Ask Before You Sign
![Choosing Your Luxury Listing Agent – 9 questions to ask before you sign | Heather Powell Group, Austin real estate]()
Interviewing listing agents to sell your Austin luxury home? Ask these 9 questions about pricing, marketing, negotiation and communication before you sign. - Buying a Home in Austin in 2026: 9 Negotiation Tips for Today’s Buyer-Friendly Market
![9 Negotiation Tips for Austin Buyers – How to use today's market to your advantage | Heather Powell Group, Austin real estate]()
Austin buyers have more leverage in 2026 than in years. Here are 9 practical negotiation tips, from seller concessions to option periods, to get a better deal. - How to Price a Luxury Home in Austin (and Why the First 14 Days Decide Everything)
![Pricing a Luxury Home in Austin – Why the first 14 days decide everything | Heather Powell Group, Austin real estate]()
Overpriced Austin luxury homes are seeing deep price cuts while well-priced homes sell in about a month. Learn how to price your $1M+ home right the first time. - Austin’s Luxury Market This Fall: What the August 2026 Numbers Mean for $1M+ Sellers
![Austin's Luxury Market This Fall – What the August numbers mean for $1M+ sellers | Heather Powell Group, Austin real estate]()
Austin’s $1M+ market saw median prices rise 5.1% in August 2026 while days on market fell to 31. Here’s what luxury sellers and buyers should do this fall. - Austin Real Estate Market Update: September 2026 — What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
![Austin real estate market update graphic for September 2026, showing an abstract Austin skyline with the headline What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know Right Now]()
This Austin real estate market update for September 2026 shows a market that has settled into balance. Homes are moving faster than they did a year ago, price cuts are… Read more: Austin Real Estate Market Update: September 2026 — What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
Browse by Topic
Austin Market Updates
Regular reports on Austin home prices, days on market, inventory and interest rates — and what the numbers mean for your next move. Start with the September 2026 Austin market update.
Buying a Home in Austin
Financing, offers, inspections and negotiating in today’s market. Read the Austin Buyer’s Guide or search homes for sale in Austin.
Selling Your Austin Home
Pricing strategy, preparing to list and marketing that gets results. See the Austin Seller’s Guide and recently sold homes.
Austin Neighborhoods
Local insight on where to live in Austin — lifestyle, schools, commute and home styles. Explore the Austin neighborhood guides.
Austin Real Estate: Quick Answers
Is now a good time to buy a home in Austin?
As of September 2026, the Austin housing market has settled into balance. Homes are selling faster than a year ago and price reductions are becoming less common, yet buyers still hold more negotiating leverage than at any time since before the pandemic. The right timing depends on your budget, rate and neighborhood — the latest market update breaks it down.
How do I find out what my Austin home is worth?
Online estimates are a starting point, but an accurate value comes from a comparative market analysis based on recent nearby sales, condition and current buyer demand. Contact Heather Powell for a free, no-obligation home valuation.
Which Austin neighborhoods does Heather Powell specialize in?
Heather grew up in Tarrytown and works with buyers and sellers across Central Austin and the greater Austin area. The Austin neighborhoods page profiles each area she covers.
Who writes the Heather Powell Group blog?
The blog is published by Heather Powell Residential Group, a Compass team based at 2500 Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX 78746. Content reflects Heather’s first-hand experience as a native Austin real estate agent.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Austin?
Get honest, local advice from someone who grew up here. Call (512) 921-3417 or send a message.