Austin Unemployment and Austin Real Estate Market Update September 2009

The Austin unemployment rate (Austin-Round Rock) remained steady at 7.2% in September 2009 from 7.2 % in August 2009 with 5,600 more people employed and 100 more people unemployed in Austin-Round Rock in September 2009 than the previous month.  These numbers are due to an increase in the Civilian Labor Force by 5,700 people.  In comparison, during the same time period the State of Texas unemployment rate increased from 8.1% in August 2009 to 8.3% in September 2009.  The United States unemployment also decreased from 9.6% in August 2009 to 9.5% in September 2009. As you can see Austin-Round Rock continues to be significantly lower than the National Average.
 
Between January 1st and October 26th of 2009 there were 6,847 single-family homes sold within the Austin city limits with a median sold price of $117.10 per square foot ($232,983), which is a 3.8% reduction in the median sold price compared to 2008, and averaging 68 days on the market.  During the same time period in 2008 there were 7,475 homes sold (8.4% more than 2009) with a median sold price of $121.74 per square foot ($240,000), and averaging 57 days on the market. 

Bank rates for a 30 year fixed mortgage remain very low at 5.15% as of 10/26/09 according to bankrate.com. With mortgage rates at all time lows and with the $8000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers now in place, there are plenty of reasons to buy an Austin home during 2009. Remember that you have to close on your new home by November 30 in order to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit.
 
Click here to conduct an Austin home search.  Contact Brian Talley at 512-554-9714 if you need help buying or selling an Austin home or if you have a need for Austin Texas office space.
 
Source: Raw real estate data provided by the Austin Board of REALTORS® and interpreted by Austin REALTOR® Brian Talley of Regent Property Group.  Unemployment data provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.  Although the above information is deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed to be reliable or accurate.  The information contained herein is subject to errors and/or omissions and are not in any way guaranteed as accurate or reliable by Brian Talley or by Regent Property Group LLC.