Episodes
136
Latest episode
Aug 2026
Language
EN
There's no shortage of opinions about the housing market. Driving It Home gives you something better: an accurate, data-driven perspective on Central Texas real estate straight from the experts at Unlock MLS. Every episode, we cut through the noise to bring you the trends, insights, and market updates that keep real estate professionals one step ahead — so you're caught up before you finish your morning drive. Driving It Home is produced by Unlock MLS, the most complete, timely, and accurate source of housing market activity for the 18-county Central Texas region. Learn more at UnlockMLS.com.
Vaike runs the math on what "luxury" really means in Austin (spoiler: $1M is exactly right — for now), then she and Kelea dig into the July ZIP Code Scorecard: the corridor ZIPs driving volume, a hot 78704, a 91-score ZIP built on just seven sales, and three ZIPs sliding to At-Risk in peak season. Links in episode: Zip Code Score Card https://UnlockMLS.com/Research
Market Research Advisor Vaike O'Grady joins host Kelea Youngblood to break down the latest market stats — where the year-over-year and month-over-month stories diverge, why the City of Austin is pulling ahead of the outer counties, and what a tighter, quieter rental market means heading into fall. Plus a Market in Five on the economic indicators keeping Austin on its own track — from record venture capital to Samsung's next Taylor fab. Mentioned in the episode: Unlock MLS Research Page https://www.unlockmls.com/research Market Data Lab (Aug 18) https://www.unlockmls.com/events
Home prices have stabilized — so why does owning a home feel more expensive than ever? Unlock MLS Market Research Advisor Väike O'Grady opens with a zip-code look at where the market is moving, then CMO Kelea Youngblood sits down with Deputy Director of Government Affairs Taylor Smith to unpack Unlock MLS and ABoR's new 2026 Central Texas Homeowner Affordability Report.
The midyear numbers are in — and they're worth a closer look. Vaike O'Grady breaks down what the June data is really saying, why Hays County requires more than a headline read, and what the first half of 2026 signals for the rest of the year. Links mentioned in the episode: https://www.unlockmls.com/stats Unlock MLS Research: https://www.unlockmls.com/research Market Data Lab — July 21st: https://www.unlockmls.com/events
Market Research Advisor Vaike O'Grady breaks down the top five ZIP codes driving May 2026 volume. Then CEO Emily Girard and Deputy Director of Government Affairs Taylor Smith unpack the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, one of the most significant federal housing legislation in nearly 20 years, and what its 50-plus provisions mean for Central Texas buyers, builders, and agents. Mentioned in the episode: May 2026 Central Texas Housing Market Report: https://unlockmls.com/stats 21st Century Road to Housing Act Summary: Landmark Housing Bill Clears Congress
Price corrections are holding — and spring momentum is proving it's not a fluke. Market Research Advisor Vaike O'Grady joins Deputy Director of Government Affairs Taylor Smith to break down two consecutive months of double-digit pending sales growth, why 2019 is the right benchmark, inventory falling 16.6% from last year's peak, and why Travis County's 20% pending sales surge may be the most important number in May's report. Mentioned in the episode: May 2026 Central Texas Housing Market Report: https://unlockmls.com/stats Market Data Lab Webinar: https://unlockmls.com/events
Price corrections are working — and the buyers are back. Market Research Advisor Vaike O'Grady joins Deputy Director of Government Affairs Taylor Smith to break down closed sales surging 33–45% in San Marcos, Marble Falls, and Lockhart, Wimberley's surprising 32% median price jump, Austin crossing one million residents, and why April's data may signal the MSA's turning point. Mentioned in the episode: Spring 2026 Quarterly Economic Brief: https://unlockmls.com/research Unlock MLS Market Stats: https://unlockmls.com/stats
Resale and new construction are behaving like two different markets. Unlock MLS Market Research Advisor Vaike O'Grady joins CMO Kelea Youngblood to break down April's $65,000 price gap between segments, pending sales surging 15.4% across the MSA, Hays County's surprise 8.8% price jump, and Austin officially crossing one million residents. Mentioned in the episode: April 2026 Market Statistics: https://unlockmls.com/stats Flex by Unlock MLS: https://unlockmls.com/flex
The affordable market isn't gone - it's moved. Vaike O'Grady kicks things off with a zip-code-level breakdown of where sub-$300K sales are happening in Central Texas right now (Kyle, Jarrell, Elgin, and a few surprises). Then Emily sits down with Taylor Smith, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, to dig into Unlock MLS and ABoR's brand-new HOME Impact Report — measuring whether Austin's landmark housing reform is actually working. Spoiler: the data says yes. Plus, what agents need to know about upcoming City Council action and how to tap into the advocacy team directly. Mentioned in the episode: Unlock MLS Research Page + HOME Impact Report https://www.unlockmls.com/research Advocacy Office Hours — May 20th, ABoR HQ, 10AM–1PM https://www.unlockmls.com/event/abor-advocacy-office-hours Live from City Hall Newsletter https://www.abor.com/livefromcityhall
Q1 looks flat — until you remember what Q1 2025 looked like. Vaike O'Grady and Kelea Youngblood break down March's spring rebound, Austin's surprise job growth revision, and why the national "frozen market" narrative doesn't match what the data is showing in Central Texas. Links mentioned in the episode: AustinHomeSearch.com https://AustinHomeSearch.com Free Subscription to Austin Business Journal for ABoR Members: https://www.unlockmls.com/abj Market Data & UnlockStats Lab: https://www.unlockmls.com/classes-and-events?location&categories&participants.name&format×&sea… UnlockStats: https://www.unlockmls.com/unlockstats Market Research & Statistics: https://www.unlockmls.com/stats Opportunity Austin Job Growth Report: https://opportunityaustin.com/austin-region-job-growth-unemployment-update-april-2026/
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