October 15, 2024 | Driving It Home with ABoR's Housing Economist

In this episode of Driving It Home, ABoR Deputy Director of Communications Danielle Hammett covers several key announcements from the recent Central Texas Housing Summit and updates on the local housing market. She highlights the launch of UnlockStats, a new customizable data reporting tool for Unlock MLS subscribers, and the upcoming Data Share with Houston Association of REALTORS® and the San Antonio Board of REALTORS®. Additionally, Danielle discusses the release of the 2024 Central Texas International Home Buyers Report and encourages agents to stay informed on local regulations and policies that impact housing affordability and accessibility. Taylor Smith, ABoR Director of Government Affairs, joins Danielle to dive into the local housing market's recent trends, including a drop in median sales prices and an increase in months of inventory, signaling a more balanced market. They stress that, despite these positive changes, housing affordability remains a significant concern. Many residents, including public servants, continue to struggle to afford homes within Austin. Taylor emphasizes the need for continued advocacy and reforms that aim to increase housing stock and make it easier to build more homes across the city. The podcast concludes with a discussion of upcoming local elections and their importance in shaping housing policy. Taylor highlights how city councils and other local offices play a vital role in determining the future of housing affordability in the region. The hosts encourage listeners to stay engaged, vote in local elections, and take advantage of resources like the voter hub at ABoR.com/Vote. Links Mentioned https://www.ABoR.com/Vote https://www.ABoR.com/internationalreport https://www.ABoR.com/Research https://www.ABoR.com/TheTruth https://www.ABoR.com/Livefromcityhallsignup https://www.ABoR.com/MarketStatistics https://www.ABoR.com/class/market-data-lab-9 Member Portal | Portal.ABoR.com Clareity Dashboard | Austin.Clareity.net   Listen On: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/driving-it-home-with-abors-housing-economist/id1714289732 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzH_caxJ3VPq5iExWilqZOahnREgSFgqC  Connect with us on socials: https://www.abor.com/socials Connect with Dr. Clare Knapp on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-losey  Have feedback? Email us at [email protected].   Download an Episode Transcript: https://www.abor.com/content/uploads/2024/10/DIH-10-16-24.pdf