Sell Your Land Note in Austin, Texas — Updated Guide

Austin is a city that needs no introduction. The Texas capital has been one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States for over a decade, fueled by a technology boom that transformed it from a college town with a music scene into a major economic hub with a global profile. The population of the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metropolitan area has surpassed 2.4 million, and the region continues to attract residents, businesses, and investment at a pace that few cities can match.

For note holders, Austin's explosive growth has been both a blessing and a source of complexity. Property values appreciated dramatically during the pandemic-era boom, then experienced corrections in certain segments as interest rates rose and the frenzy cooled. The market in 2026 is more mature, more rational, and more sustainable than the peak — but it remains one of the strongest in Texas and the nation. Understanding where Austin stands now, and how its unique market dynamics affect your note, is essential to getting the best possible outcome from a sale.

This updated guide covers the Austin note market as it stands today — what makes Austin notes attractive, how the market's evolution affects pricing, which sub-markets command the strongest offers, and how to sell your note efficiently through a buyer who understands the nuances of this dynamic and sometimes unpredictable market.

Austin's Market in 2026: Where Things Stand

The Austin market has gone through a significant cycle over the past five years, and understanding that cycle is important context for any note sale.

The Boom and the Normalization

Between 2020 and early 2022, Austin property values surged dramatically — median home prices jumped by 40 to 60 percent in some areas as remote workers, technology company relocations, and investor demand converged. This appreciation was real but unsustainable at that pace. As mortgage rates rose through 2022 and 2023, some of the most overheated segments — particularly new construction in outer suburbs and certain luxury segments — saw price corrections ranging from 5 to 15 percent from peak values.

By 2025 and into 2026, Austin's market has found a more sustainable equilibrium. Prices in most areas have stabilized and resumed modest appreciation driven by genuine demand rather than speculation. The correction shook out speculative excess, and the remaining market is supported by strong employment, continued in-migration, and the fundamental desirability of the Austin metro as a place to live and work.

What This Means for Your Note

If you created your note before 2020, the property securing it has almost certainly appreciated, even after accounting for the correction. Your LTV ratio is likely better than when the note was originated, which is a positive for pricing. If you created your note during the peak of the boom — late 2021 or early 2022 — the property may be worth less than the peak purchase price, which could mean a higher LTV and somewhat tighter pricing. If you created your note after the correction, in 2023 or later, the property was likely purchased at a more rational price and the LTV reflects current market reality. Buyers evaluate each note individually, so the specific property and its current value are what matter most.

Why Austin Notes Remain Attractive to Buyers

Despite the market cycle, Austin notes are among the most sought-after in Texas for several fundamental reasons.

Technology Economy Depth

Austin's technology sector is no longer a newcomer — it is deeply established, with major operations from some of the largest technology companies in the world alongside a vibrant ecosystem of startups, venture-backed firms, and software companies. This tech economy produces high-income jobs that support borrowers' ability to make note payments and sustain housing demand that protects property values. The diversity within the tech sector — hardware, software, semiconductors, clean energy, artificial intelligence — reduces dependence on any single company or sub-sector.

University of Texas Anchor

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the country, with over 50,000 students and a research budget that drives innovation and attracts talent. The university's presence provides a permanent economic anchor that is independent of market cycles — students, faculty, staff, and the ecosystem of businesses that serve them create consistent demand for housing in central Austin and surrounding areas.

Government Employment

As the state capital, Austin has a massive concentration of state government employment that is largely recession-proof. State employees need housing regardless of economic conditions, providing a baseline of demand that supports property values in the core metro area. This government foundation, combined with the technology economy and the university, creates an unusually diversified and resilient employment base.

Quality of Life Premium

Austin consistently ranks among the most desirable cities to live in the United States. The music scene, outdoor recreation, dining culture, and overall lifestyle attract residents who are willing to pay a premium for the Austin experience. This quality-of-life factor supports property values above what pure economic fundamentals might justify — and as long as Austin remains desirable, that premium persists.

Austin Sub-Markets: Location Impact on Note Value

Austin's geography — constrained by hills, lakes, and environmental protections — creates distinct sub-markets with different dynamics.

Central Austin — Travis Heights, Zilker, Bouldin Creek, South Congress

Central Austin is the most supply-constrained and highest-value area in the metro. Limited buildable land, strong demand from both owner-occupants and investors, and proximity to downtown create property values that have held up well through the cycle. Notes secured by central Austin properties command premium pricing because the collateral is highly liquid, deeply desirable, and extremely difficult to replicate. Even during the correction, central Austin saw minimal impact compared to outer areas.

Downtown and East Austin

Downtown Austin has transformed with high-rise residential construction, and East Austin has gentrified dramatically over the past decade. These areas attract young professionals, tech workers, and creative-industry residents. Notes on properties in East Austin may reflect the area's rapid evolution — properties purchased before gentrification peaked may have seen enormous appreciation, while properties purchased at peak prices may be closer to current values. Buyers evaluate each property individually but generally view the urban core favorably.

Northwest — Great Hills, Arboretum, Anderson Mill, Cedar Park

The northwest corridor benefits from proximity to major tech employers along the MoPac and Highway 183 corridors. Cedar Park and Leander have grown explosively, driven by affordability relative to central Austin and access to employment. Notes in this corridor are well-regarded, with pricing that reflects the area's economic strength and continued growth.

Southwest — Circle C, Shady Hollow, Dripping Springs

Southwest Austin and the Dripping Springs area offer a Hill Country lifestyle within commuting distance of the city. Properties tend toward larger lots and higher price points. Dripping Springs in particular has experienced rapid growth with new master-planned communities and commercial development. Notes in this area are valued favorably when the collateral is well-maintained and the payment history is strong.

Round Rock, Georgetown, and Northern Williamson County

Williamson County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, driven by Round Rock's established economic base, Georgetown's retiree and family appeal, and Liberty Hill's frontier affordability. Notes in Round Rock and Georgetown — which benefit from strong schools, employment access, and established infrastructure — command solid pricing. Properties further north in Liberty Hill and Florence may see more variation depending on the specific property characteristics and development stage of the surrounding area.

Pflugerville, Manor, and East Williamson-Travis

The eastern suburbs — Pflugerville, Manor, Elgin, Hutto — have absorbed much of Austin's growth-driven demand due to their relative affordability. These areas have expanded rapidly with new construction, new schools, and new commercial development. Notes on properties in established neighborhoods like Pflugerville are well-regarded. Properties in more recently developed areas may carry slightly less seasoning in the market, which buyers factor in.

Kyle, Buda, San Marcos, and the I-35 South Corridor

The southern I-35 corridor from Buda through Kyle to San Marcos represents Austin's southern growth frontier, increasingly merging with the San Antonio metro. These communities offer the most affordable entry points in the broader Austin market. Notes in this area are solid, particularly for newer homes in growing communities. San Marcos, with Texas State University, adds a layer of rental demand that can support note performance. For more context on the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio, sellers may also find the San Antonio note guide relevant.

Austin-Specific Factors That Influence Pricing

Austin's unique characteristics create several factors that buyers weigh when evaluating local notes.

The Correction Factor

The price corrections of 2022-2023 are the elephant in the room for Austin notes. Buyers are aware that some Austin properties are worth less today than at their peak, and they evaluate current LTV ratios accordingly. If your note was created at or near peak prices, be prepared for the buyer to base their valuation on current property values, not the price at which the property was originally sold. Conversely, notes created before the boom or after the correction benefit from more conservative origination values and potentially improved LTV ratios.

Environmental and Development Restrictions

Austin has some of the most stringent environmental regulations in Texas, including restrictions related to the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer zone, the Save Our Springs ordinance, and various impervious cover limits. These regulations affect vacant land more than improved properties, but buyers of land notes evaluate whether the restrictions limit the property's development potential and therefore its value as collateral.

Short-Term Rental Regulations

Austin has implemented significant restrictions on short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) in recent years. If the property securing your note is an investment property that the borrower uses as a short-term rental, changes in these regulations could affect the borrower's income and ability to make payments. Buyers may inquire about the borrower's use of the property and factor in STR regulatory risk where applicable.

Water and Utility Considerations

Some outer Austin properties — particularly in areas served by water districts or private utilities rather than the City of Austin — face water availability and cost considerations that can affect property values and development potential. Buyers evaluate whether the property has reliable, affordable utility service as part of their collateral assessment.

How to Sell Your Austin Note: Practical Steps

Selling an Austin-area note follows a straightforward process that can be completed in two to four weeks.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Assemble the promissory note, deed of trust, complete payment history, title insurance, and hazard insurance documentation. If your property is in a flood zone — relatively uncommon in most of Austin but possible near creeks and low-lying areas — include flood insurance documentation. For a full list, see this checklist of documents needed to sell a note in Texas.

Step 2: Contact a Knowledgeable Buyer

Reach out to a professional note buyer with Austin market experience. Provide the key metrics: remaining balance, interest rate, monthly payment, payments remaining, property address, and payment history summary. A buyer like Longhorn Note Buyers, located in nearby San Antonio, has extensive experience with Austin-area notes and provides a cash offer within 24 hours.

Step 3: Evaluate the Offer

Review the offer in the context of your financial goals. If the offer reflects the current market value of the property rather than the peak value, understand that this is the market reality — and the offer is based on where the property stands today, which is still strong by any national measure. Ask the buyer to walk you through the pricing factors if you want clarity on how the number was determined. To understand valuation methodology, see this guide on what determines note value in Texas.

Step 4: Due Diligence and Closing

The buyer conducts title search, property valuation, borrower verification, and insurance review. For Austin properties, the valuation may require particular care given the recent market cycle — the buyer needs to ensure the property's current value supports the pricing. Once due diligence clears, you sign the assignment, the buyer records it in Travis, Williamson, Hays, or the relevant county, and funds are wired to your account. Two to four weeks from start to finish.

Why Longhorn Note Buyers for Austin Notes

Longhorn Note Buyers operates from San Antonio — just 80 miles south on I-35 — and has been active in the Austin market throughout its growth cycle. They have purchased notes on Austin properties through the boom, the correction, and the current stabilization, giving them perspective that newer or less experienced buyers lack. They understand which Austin sub-markets have held up best, which areas carry more risk, and how to price notes fairly based on current rather than historical conditions.

Their $47 million in completed Texas note purchases, A+ BBB rating, and 100 percent close rate provide the financial strength and credibility that Austin note holders need. When you are selling an asset in a market as dynamic as Austin, you want a buyer who has seen cycles before and who prices the note based on fundamentals, not hype. Longhorn is that buyer.

Ready to Sell Your Note?

Austin remains one of the strongest real estate markets in the country, and a well-performing note on Austin-area property is a valuable asset. If you are ready to convert that asset into cash, contact Longhorn Note Buyers today at (210) 828-3573 or visit longhornnotebuyers.com for your free, no-obligation offer within 24 hours. Whether your property is on South Congress or in Cedar Park, in Round Rock or Dripping Springs, Longhorn has the Austin expertise and the capital to make you a fair offer and close the deal. Make the call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has the Austin correction hurt my note's value?

It depends on when the note was created. If the property was purchased at peak prices in late 2021 or early 2022, the current LTV may be higher than at origination, which can affect pricing. If the note was created before the boom or after the correction, the LTV may actually be more favorable because the property was purchased at a more conservative price. The borrower's payment history is equally important — a note with consistent on-time payments commands strong pricing regardless of where property values have moved.

Are Austin notes still competitive with Houston and DFW notes?

Yes. Despite the correction, Austin's economic fundamentals remain strong, and notes on well-located Austin properties with solid payment histories are among the most attractive in Texas. The technology economy, university anchor, and quality-of-life premium support property values and buyer interest. Austin notes in desirable locations continue to command competitive pricing.

Should I wait for Austin property values to recover further before selling my note?

Timing the market is difficult, and the answer depends on your personal financial situation and goals. Austin's market has stabilized and is appreciating modestly, so waiting may produce a marginally better LTV over time. However, you are also carrying the risk and management burden of the note during that wait. If you need cash now or want to simplify your finances, the current market represents a solid opportunity to sell. A bird in hand is often worth more than the possibility of a slightly better offer in six or twelve months.

My property is in a rapidly growing area — does that help my note's value?

Growth and development activity around a property are positives for note valuation because they support demand and future appreciation. If your property is in an area that has seen new commercial development, school construction, infrastructure improvements, or significant new residential construction, these factors enhance the collateral's position and can contribute to a stronger offer. Mention specific nearby developments when you contact the buyer.

Does it matter if the property is in Travis, Williamson, or Hays County?

The county affects property tax rates and school districts, which influence property values and borrower payment burdens. Williamson County properties in Round Rock and Georgetown tend to have slightly lower tax rates than City of Austin properties in Travis County. Hays County properties — Kyle, Buda, San Marcos — offer the most affordable price points. Buyers evaluate each property within its specific jurisdictional context. All three counties produce strong notes, and no county is inherently better or worse for note sales — the specific property and its metrics are what matter.