Jeremy Bryant, Realtor - Keller Williams Realty - Licensed in TX

09/21/2026

📊 Central Texas Market Update – August 2026

August definitely took some momentum out of the Central Texas housing market.

Compared with July, median prices and closed sales fell in both Travis and Williamson Counties. Travis saw the bigger slowdown, with closed sales down about 10% and days on market increasing from 59 to 73. Williamson sales were down about 5%, although homes there actually sold a few days faster than they did in July.

Interestingly, inventory declined in both counties too. So this isn't a simple case of more and more homes hitting the market while buyers disappear. Activity slowed, buyers remained selective, and fewer homes were sitting on the market at the end of August.

Compared with last year, there's another wrinkle: closed sales were still up about 4% in Travis and 5% in Williamson, even though median prices were lower in both counties. We're selling more homes than we were a year ago, just at somewhat softer prices.

And then there are rates. If you saw my post last week, the Fed raised its benchmark rate by 0.25%. The Fed doesn't directly control mortgage rates, but the bond market reacted and the average 30-year mortgage has moved back near 7%. That's likely to keep affordability front and center for buyers as we move into fall.

For buyers, there are opportunities in a slower market, but the payment has to work. For sellers, pricing correctly from the beginning matters more than ever because buyers have shown they're willing to wait or negotiate when a home doesn't make sense.

As always, these are county-wide numbers. Your neighborhood and price range can tell a very different story, so call or message me if you'd like me to take a closer look at yours.

09/18/2026

The Fed did something this week it hasn’t done since 2023 and raised interest rates.

The Federal Reserve increased its benchmark rate by 0.25%, bringing the federal funds target range to 3.75%-4.00%. That does **not** mean mortgage rates simply went up by a quarter point, though. The Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, which are influenced much more by the bond market, longer-term Treasury yields, inflation expectations and what investors think the Fed is likely to do next.

Unfortunately, that distinction doesn’t make the current rate environment particularly friendly for housing. Freddie Mac’s average 30-year mortgage rate came in at 6.95% this week, up from 6.76% the week before, and the Fed’s projections suggest this may not be a one-time increase. Most policymakers currently expect at least one additional rate hike before the end of the year.

The reason is pretty straightforward. Inflation is still running hotter than the Fed wants, energy costs have increased, consumer spending has remained relatively resilient and the broader economy has held up well enough that the Fed believes it still has room to keep pushing against inflation.

For buyers, I’d continue to make decisions based on the payment you can comfortably afford **today**, not on the assumption that rates will come down later. If they eventually do and you have an opportunity to refinance, great. I’d treat that as future upside rather than something the purchase has to depend on.

For sellers, this is another reminder of just how payment-sensitive buyers are right now. Pricing, condition, concessions and how your home compares to the other options on the market all matter more when buyers are financing at or near 7%.

None of this automatically means it’s a good or bad time to buy or sell. Real estate decisions are usually more personal than that, and the right answer depends on the house, the numbers and what you’re trying to accomplish.

If you’re considering a move around Austin, Round Rock or the surrounding Central Texas market and want to understand what the current numbers actually look like for your situation, I’m always happy to help you work through it.

No pressure. Just good information.

About six weeks ago, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh announced that a divided central bank was keeping its key interest rate unchanged.

09/11/2026

What am I doing at 5PM on Friday? I'm still on hold for Freedom Mortgage trying to help a client. We're rounding the corner on 2 hours. Who you choose when getting a mortgage matters, who services it sometimes matters more. Choose wisely and let me know if you need a recommendation. I PROMISE it won't be Freedom Mortgage. I wonder if I tag them enough times, someone will answer? Freedom Mortgage? Hello? Are you there?

08/26/2026

Round Rock, Texas – City Governments proposed property tax rate is increasing, but its overall budget is decreasing.

That sounds contradictory until you look at where the money is moving.

Several projects approved by voters in the 2023 bond election are nearing completion. As new fire stations, parks, sports facilities and public safety improvements open, the City is shifting from construction spending to debt payments, staffing, operations and maintenance.

I took a closer look at what led to the proposed maximum rate of 42.3 cents per $100 of taxable value, how Round Rock’s past bond programs fit into the picture, and what the change could mean for homeowners, residential investors and renters.

One important clarification: the 42.3-cent rate has not been finally adopted.

The City Council will hold a public hearing and first reading of the proposed budget and tax-rate ordinances tomorrow, August 27, at 6 p.m. at Round Rock City Council Chambers, 221 E. Main Street. Final adoption is currently scheduled for September 10.

Residents who want to learn more or express their views can attend the hearing or contact the Round Rock City Council before the final vote.

Full breakdown in the article below.

Round Rock’s proposed property tax rate is going up. Its overall budget is going down.

08/24/2026

Cedar Park has quietly become one of the easiest places north of Austin to plan an entire day or night out without heading downtown.

PopStroke is one of the newest additions. The Tiger Woods-backed concept opened its Cedar Park location this spring with two 18-hole putting courses, a full restaurant and bar, an ice cream parlor, playground and plenty of opportunities for friendly competition.

But it joins an entertainment lineup that has been growing for years:

🏒 H-E-B Center for Texas Stars hockey, Austin Spurs basketball, concerts and family shows

🎵 Haute Spot for outdoor live music

🎳 Spare Birdie for bowling, virtual golf, food and drinks

⛸️ The Crossover for ice skating, hockey, turf sports, pickleball, volleyball, food and community events

🚂 Austin Steam Train for vintage train excursions into the Hill Country

One current development worth watching: The Crossover’s 15-acre property was listed for sale this summer. That does not mean the complex is closing. It remains open, and the sale listing describes it as more than 98% leased with 24 tenants and over 1 million annual visitors. The property is being marketed as an investment with additional expansion potential, although a new owner could naturally influence its future direction.

Cedar Park may still be thought of primarily as a residential suburb, but it has built a pretty distinct entertainment identity of its own.

What is your favorite Cedar Park destination, and what did I leave off the list?

More local ideas: https://visitcedarparktexas.com/blog/post/cedar-park-hot-spots-the-ultimate-local-guide/

Unwind in the Texas Hill Country! Check out favorite Cedar Park, Texas hot spots for live music, boutique bowling, and local dining. Start exploring today.

08/21/2026

This one made my day.

These were first-time clients for me, and I really appreciated how they described the experience.

My goal is never just to open doors. It’s to help clients notice the things that matter, talk through the decision without pressure, and then move quickly when they find the right home.

In this case, once they found “the one,” we had the lease signed the very next day.

Thank you for the incredibly kind review and, more importantly, for trusting me to help. Reviews and referrals like these are what continue to build this business.

08/20/2026

This was a fun prompt. 👇

08/18/2026

📊 Central Texas Market Update – July 2026

July took a little bit of momentum out of the summer housing market.

Compared with June, closed sales fell roughly 10% in both Travis and Williamson Counties, and median prices pulled back as well. Williamson County continued adding inventory, while Travis inventory stayed relatively steady.

But there's an important second half to that story: compared with July of last year, closed sales were still up 10.8% in Travis County and 8.7% in Williamson County, while median prices were basically flat.

In other words, the market cooled month-over-month, but buyers haven't disappeared.

Rates remain the big wildcard. Recent jobs and inflation reports have given the Fed more reason to be patient about raising rates, but mortgage rates are still stubbornly high. That's keeping affordability front and center for buyers even as they have more homes and more negotiating room to choose from.

For sellers, July is another reminder that simply putting a home on the market isn't enough. Buyers are active, but they're selective. Pricing, preparation and presentation all matter.

For buyers, this remains a market with opportunities. You generally have more time and leverage than you did a few years ago, but the right home at the right price can still attract competition.

These are county-wide numbers, and what's happening in your neighborhood or price range can look very different. If you'd like a more local breakdown, call or message me and I'm always happy to dig into it with you.

08/14/2026

Officially renewed for another two years as a Texas real estate agent. ✅
Since we started, The Bryant Group has been operating as a boutique, relationship-driven business. Most of the people we serve come to us because a past client, friend, or professional partner trusted us enough to put our name in someone else’s hands. We don’t take that lightly.

Real estate laws change. Contracts evolve. New forms, requirements, and market conditions continually reshape how we advise and represent our clients. Staying current is part of being prepared when a transaction becomes complicated, a decision carries real financial consequences, or a client simply needs someone who can explain what comes next.

Renewing my license meant revisiting the fundamentals, working through recent legal and industry updates, and learning the latest changes to the contracts we use every day.

The license is renewed. The responsibility to keep earning that trust continues.

Here’s to another two years of serving our clients, their families, and the people they send our way.

Built on Referrals, Not Pressure.

08/10/2026

Bad economic news can sometimes be good news for mortgage rates.

“Sometimes” is doing a LOT of work in that sentence.

The latest jobs report showed the U.S. economy losing 23,000 jobs in July. Economists had forecast approximately 80,000 new jobs. May and June were also revised downward by a combined 103,000 jobs.

Interestingly, the unemployment rate still fell from 4.2% to 4.1%. That wasn’t because more people found work. It was largely because the labor force became smaller, with fewer people actively working or looking for work. When people stop looking for work, the government stops counting them as unemployed.

So, what could this mean for real estate?

A weaker labor market can take some pressure off interest rates. Following Friday’s report, Treasury yields fell and investors lowered the odds of another Federal Reserve rate increase in September.

That could eventually provide some relief for mortgage rates, but it’s far too early to declare that rates are headed meaningfully lower. Freddie Mac’s latest weekly survey still had the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.69%, and inflation remains an important part of the equation.

In other words, this report may reduce some of the pressure pushing rates higher. That is not the same as guaranteeing a significant drop.

There’s also an uncomfortable tradeoff when housing depends on worsening economic data for rate relief. Lower borrowing costs can help affordability, but people are generally less likely to make a major purchase when they are worried about their employment or income. If the labor market weakens enough to pull rates substantially lower, consumer confidence and housing demand may also weaken.

Here in Central Texas, the latest available local numbers are stronger than the national headline.

The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro had approximately 1.43 million nonfarm jobs in June, up 1.9% from the previous year. Construction employment was up 6.6%, and professional and business services grew 3.2%. Information-sector employment, however, remained down 3.5%.

Austin-area unemployment also rose from 3.5% in May to 4.1% in June. These local figures are not seasonally adjusted, so one month should not be treated as a trend, but the increase is still something worth watching.

Texas, meanwhile, added 43,400 jobs during June and 177,900 over the preceding 12 months.

My read is that Central Texas enters this period from a relatively solid employment position, but we are not insulated from a broader slowdown. Austin’s job base has continued growing, while the national data is giving us another reason to watch hiring, inflation and consumer confidence closely.

For buyers, I wouldn’t treat this report as a reason to postpone a sound purchase while waiting for dramatically cheaper financing. If the home and payment work today, there may still be more value in negotiating price, closing costs or a seller-paid rate buydown than trying to predict the next rate move.

For sellers, this is another reminder to price for the market that exists now. A possible future decline in mortgage rates is not a substitute for good positioning today.

One report doesn’t define the economy, but July’s headline and the downward revisions make the next several releases more important than they were before.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Austin-area BLS data, Texas Workforce Commission, Freddie Mac