The 2009 Austin real estate market saw most MLS Area sales stats decline somewhat. In fact, 2008 was a stronger year than 2009 on most metrics, though 2009 overall is not what anyone would term a “bad” year for Austin real estate, especially when compared to other U.S. real estate markets. Here is a summary of the breakdown:
Of the 50 Austin MLS areas tracked in the report below, 10 experienced an increase in average sold price. That’s only 20% of MLS areas enjoying a price increase compared to 64% of the Austin MLS areas with rising average prices in 2008.
Of the 50 Austin MLS areas tracked, 11 experienced an increase in median sold price. That’s 22% for 2009 compared to 60% of the Austin MLS areas with rising median sold prices in 2008.
Of the 50 Austin MLS areas tracked, only one (area 5E) experienced an increase in average sold price per square foot. That’s only 2% compared to 55% of the Austin MLS areas with rising sold prices per square foot in 2008.
Of the 50 Austin MLS areas tracked, NONE experienced an increase in ALL THREE of the above metrics – average, median and per sqft sold prices. That’s 0% for 2009 compared to 40% of the Austin MLS areas with rising metrics in the main three performance measurements for 2008.
Check the chart below to see how your area did.
Austin Real Estate Sales by MLS Area – Full Year 2009/2008 | ||||||||
Houses only. Condos, Duplexes, etc not included (except Downtown area “DT”) | ||||||||
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
All Areas | 2009 | 18,560 | $246,032 | $190,000 | 2,178 | $112.96 | 75 | 47 |
2008 | 19,852 | $252,087 | $192,000 | 2,148 | $117.36 | 67 | 45 | |
Change | -6.51% | -2.40% | -1.04% | 1.40% | -3.75% | 11.94% | 4.44% | |
MLS Area | YTD-Apr | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
1A | 2009 | 167 | $463,190 | $422,500 | 2,704 | $171.30 | 83 | 53 |
2008 | 201 | $499,216 | $465,250 | 2,731 | $182.80 | 62 | 40 | |
Change | -16.92% | -7.22% | -9.19% | -0.99% | -6.29% | 33.87% | 32.50% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
1B | 2009 | 251 | $655,375 | $550,000 | 2,601 | $251.97 | 109 | 81 |
2008 | 230 | $711,111 | $564,500 | 2,416 | $294.33 | 54 | 37 | |
Change | 9.13% | -7.84% | -2.57% | 7.66% | -14.39% | 101.85% | 118.92% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
1N | 2009 | 421 | $293,840 | $260,000 | 2,165 | $135.72 | 53 | 33 |
2008 | 421 | $293,711 | $265,000 | 2,125 | $138.22 | 44 | 24 | |
Change | 0.00% | 0.04% | -1.89% | 1.88% | -1.80% | 20.45% | 37.50% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
2 | 2009 | 339 | $252,694 | $249,000 | 1,421 | $177.83 | 55 | 34 |
2008 | 316 | $264,025 | $255,050 | 1,438 | $183.61 | 51 | 34 | |
Change | 7.28% | -4.29% | -2.37% | -1.18% | -3.15% | 7.84% | 0.00% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
2N | 2009 | 255 | $149,650 | $142,500 | 1,543 | $96.99 | 51 | 28 |
2008 | 279 | $153,720 | $147,850 | 1,551 | $99.11 | 49 | 31 | |
Change | -8.60% | -2.65% | -3.62% | -0.52% | -2.14% | 4.08% | -9.68% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
3 | 2009 | 319 | $226,165 | $208,000 | 1,596 | $141.71 | 79 | 54 |
2008 | 287 | $225,352 | $213,000 | 1,545 | $145.86 | 62 | 43 | |
Change | 11.15% | 0.36% | -2.35% | 3.30% | -2.85% | 27.42% | 25.58% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
3E | 2009 | 129 | $144,117 | $125,000 | 1,519 | $94.88 | 89 | 49 |
2008 | 137 | $156,843 | $145,000 | 1,602 | $97.90 | 69 | 48 | |
Change | -5.84% | -8.11% | -13.79% | -5.18% | -3.09% | 28.99% | 2.08% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
4 | 2009 | 241 | $351,127 | $316,000 | 1,557 | $225.52 | 72 | 50 |
2008 | 275 | $362,709 | $330,000 | 1,536 | $236.14 | 58 | 41 | |
Change | -12.36% | -3.19% | -4.24% | 1.37% | -4.50% | 24.14% | 21.95% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
5 | 2009 | 234 | $175,347 | $155,050 | 1,231 | $142.44 | 68 | 48 |
2008 | 276 | $187,634 | $172,000 | 1,221 | $153.67 | 67 | 48 | |
Change | -15.22% | -6.55% | -9.85% | 0.82% | -7.31% | 1.49% | 0.00% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
5E | 2009 | 106 | $107,610 | $108,225 | 1,427 | $75.41 | 59 | 41 |
2008 | 84 | $110,940 | $109,250 | 1,643 | $67.52 | 49 | 36 | |
Change | 26.19% | -3.00% | -0.94% | -13.15% | 11.68% | 20.41% | 13.89% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
6 | 2009 | 166 | $367,887 | $325,000 | 1,574 | $233.73 | 77 | 48 |
2008 | 198 | $359,432 | $330,850 | 1,506 | $238.67 | 66 | 41 | |
Change | -16.16% | 2.35% | -1.77% | 4.52% | -2.07% | 16.67% | 17.07% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
7 | 2009 | 77 | $423,495 | $393,000 | 1,775 | $238.59 | 75 | 52 |
2008 | 105 | $439,809 | $375,000 | 1,798 | $244.61 | 57 | 35 | |
Change | -26.67% | -3.71% | 4.80% | -1.28% | -2.46% | 31.58% | 49% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
8E | 2009 | 183 | $865,384 | $625,000 | 3,554 | $243.50 | 97 | 63 |
2008 | 180 | $852,894 | $695,000 | 3,320 | $256.90 | 77 | 45 | |
Change | 1.67% | 1.46% | -10.07% | 7.05% | -5.22% | 25.97% | 40% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
8W | 2009 | 226 | $631,043 | $490,000 | 3,321 | $190.02 | 87 | 61 |
2008 | 225 | $631,577 | $475,000 | 3,293 | $191.79 | 78 | 50 | |
Change | 0.44% | -0.08% | 3.16% | 0.85% | -0.93% | 11.54% | 22% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
9 | 2009 | 54 | $149,578 | $142,500 | 1,504 | $99.45 | 67 | 44 |
2008 | 49 | $185,776 | $169,265 | 1,506 | $123.36 | 78 | 50 | |
Change | 10.20% | -19.48% | -15.81% | -0.13% | -19.38% | -14.10% | -12% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
10N | 2009 | 268 | $185,973 | $175,000 | 1,411 | $131.80 | 47 | 24 |
2008 | 263 | $193,438 | $176,500 | 1,465 | $132.04 | 45 | 23 | |
Change | 1.90% | -3.86% | -0.85% | -3.69% | -0.18% | 4.44% | 4% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
10S | 2009 | 605 | $179,249 | $175,000 | 1,649 | $108.70 | 43 | 21 |
2008 | 618 | $178,465 | $173,000 | 1,627 | $109.69 | 41 | 27 | |
Change | -2.10% | 0.44% | 1.16% | 1.35% | -0.90% | 4.88% | -22% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
11 | 2009 | 215 | $110,639 | $110,000 | 1,447 | $76.46 | 54 | 42 |
2008 | 213 | $117,406 | $113,000 | 1,418 | $82.80 | 51 | 36 | |
Change | 0.94% | -5.76% | -2.65% | 2.05% | -7.65% | 5.88% | 17% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
BA | 2009 | 229 | $149,693 | $136,000 | 1,787 | $83.77 | 66 | 40 |
2008 | 263 | $155,630 | $146,000 | 1,833 | $84.90 | 72 | 45 | |
Change | -12.93% | -3.81% | -6.85% | -2.51% | -1.34% | -8.33% | -11% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
BU | 2009 | 118 | $206,807 | $156,250 | 1,959 | $105.57 | 120 | 81 |
2008 | 151 | $257,604 | $180,000 | 1,907 | $135.08 | 96 | 54 | |
Change | -21.85% | -19.72% | -13.19% | 2.73% | -21.85% | 25.00% | 50% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
BW | 2009 | 106 | $194,744 | $164,000 | 2,165 | $89.95 | 85 | 55 |
2008 | 125 | $206,283 | $179,900 | 2,135 | $96.62 | 74 | 57 | |
Change | -15.20% | -5.59% | -8.84% | 1.41% | -6.90% | 14.86% | -4% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
CC | 2009 | 141 | $112,253 | $109,000 | 1,590 | $70.60 | 111 | 93 |
2008 | 150 | $125,289 | $110,350 | 1,707 | $73.40 | 81 | 50 | |
Change | -6.00% | -10.40% | -1.22% | -6.85% | -3.81% | 37.04% | 86% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
CLN | 2009 | 928 | $180,885 | $154,500 | 2,093 | $86.42 | 68 | 42 |
2008 | 1070 | $177,382 | $155,867 | 2,018 | $87.90 | 59 | 38 | |
Change | -13.27% | 1.97% | -0.88% | 3.72% | -1.68% | 15.25% | 11% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
CLS | 2009 | 967 | $237,620 | $214,040 | 2,432 | $97.71 | 71 | 50 |
2008 | 986 | $237,676 | $217,950 | 2,383 | $99.74 | 68 | 49 | |
Change | -1.93% | -0.02% | -1.79% | 2.06% | -2.04% | 4.41% | 2% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
DT | 2009 | 131 | $332,524 | $275,000 | 1,105 | $300.93 | 83 | 63 |
CONDOS | 2008 | 130 | $345,856 | $309,050 | 1,126 | $307.15 | 91 | 64 |
* only DT | Change | 0.77% | -3.85% | -11.02% | -1.87% | -2.03% | -8.79% | -2% |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
EL | 2009 | 200 | $117,480 | $103,375 | 1,826 | $64.34 | 61 | 42 |
2008 | 214 | $123,215 | $116,421 | 1,778 | $69.30 | 65 | 47 | |
Change | -6.54% | -4.65% | -11.21% | 2.70% | -7.16% | -6.15% | -11% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
GTE | 2009 | 225 | $159,845 | $145,500 | 1,871 | $85.43 | 73 | 53 |
2008 | 277 | $164,942 | $155,000 | 1,852 | $89.06 | 69 | 46 | |
Change | -18.77% | -3.09% | -6.13% | 1.03% | -4.07% | 5.80% | 15% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
GTW | 2009 | 727 | $249,548 | $215,000 | 2,316 | $107.75 | 110 | 77 |
2008 | 788 | $248,306 | $214,843 | 2,226 | $111.55 | 88 | 62 | |
Change | -7.74% | 0.50% | 0.07% | 4.04% | -3.41% | 25.00% | 24% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
HD | 2009 | 353 | $335,456 | $310,000 | 2,895 | $115.87 | 111 | 77 |
2008 | 382 | $357,733 | $340,283 | 2,904 | $123.19 | 101 | 77 | |
Change | -7.59% | -6.23% | -8.90% | -0.31% | -5.94% | 9.90% | 0% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
HH | 2009 | 851 | $167,018 | $149,900 | 2,040 | $81.87 | 67 | 44 |
2008 | 932 | $180,837 | $156,000 | 2,106 | $85.87 | 65 | 46 | |
Change | -8.69% | -7.64% | -3.91% | -3.13% | -4.65% | 3.08% | -4% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
HU | 2009 | 445 | $151,440 | $135,500 | 2,000 | $75.72 | 66 | 44 |
2008 | 471 | $152,116 | $141,111 | 1,976 | $76.98 | 59 | 41 | |
Change | -5.52% | -0.44% | -3.98% | 1.21% | -1.64% | 11.86% | 7% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
HW | 2009 | 179 | $235,732 | $192,400 | 1,946 | $121.14 | 114 | 68 |
2008 | 206 | $249,812 | $199,950 | 2,048 | $121.98 | 87 | 67 | |
Change | -13.11% | -5.64% | -3.78% | -4.98% | -0.69% | 31.03% | 1% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
LH | 2009 | 105 | $252,451 | $252,000 | 2,403 | $105.06 | 100 | 67 |
2008 | 138 | $247,513 | $236,000 | 2,190 | $113.02 | 91 | 67 | |
Change | -23.91% | 2.00% | 6.78% | 9.73% | -7.05% | 9.89% | 0% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
LN | 2009 | 178 | $267,213 | $191,525 | 2,099 | $127.30 | 126 | 86 |
2008 | 188 | $300,582 | $215,500 | 2,123 | $141.58 | 83 | 60 | |
Change | -5.32% | -11.10% | -11.13% | -1.13% | -10.08% | 51.81% | 43% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
LS | 2009 | 690 | $440,666 | $350,000 | 2,991 | $147.33 | 117 | 82 |
2008 | 714 | $471,156 | $360,000 | 2,844 | $165.67 | 103 | 76 | |
Change | -3.36% | -6.47% | -2.78% | 5.17% | -11.07% | 13.59% | 8% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
MA | 2009 | 262 | $121,371 | $107,300 | 1,714 | $70.81 | 71 | 37 |
2008 | 271 | $143,026 | $129,000 | 1,951 | $73.31 | 72 | 42 | |
Change | -3.32% | -15.14% | -16.82% | -12.15% | -3.41% | -1.39% | -12% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
N | 2009 | 334 | $186,607 | $184,708 | 1,924 | $96.99 | 40 | 26 |
2008 | 360 | $189,661 | $184,000 | 1,846 | $102.74 | 42 | 26 | |
Change | -7.22% | -1.61% | 0.38% | 4.23% | -5.60% | -4.76% | 0% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
NE | 2009 | 297 | $150,645 | $151,000 | 1,822 | $82.68 | 59 | 41 |
2008 | 309 | $154,397 | $153,500 | 1,828 | $84.46 | 55 | 41 | |
Change | -3.88% | -2.43% | -1.63% | -0.33% | -2.11% | 7.27% | 0% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
NW | 2009 | 632 | $243,801 | $211,260 | 2,236 | $109.03 | 51 | 31 |
2008 | 570 | $252,120 | $211,000 | 2,250 | $112.05 | 44 | 25 | |
Change | 10.88% | -3.30% | 0.12% | -0.62% | -2.69% | 15.91% | 24% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
PF | 2009 | 1133 | $164,462 | $156,000 | 2,106 | $78.09 | 60 | 37 |
2008 | 1219 | $166,265 | $155,212 | 2,027 | $82.03 | 63 | 44 | |
Change | -7.05% | -1.08% | 0.51% | 3.90% | -4.79% | -4.76% | -16% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
RN | 2009 | 403 | $484,838 | $400,000 | 3,471 | $139.68 | 102 | 77 |
2008 | 453 | $531,214 | $408,000 | 3,363 | $157.96 | 95 | 71 | |
Change | -11.04% | -8.73% | -1.96% | 3.21% | -11.57% | 7.37% | 8% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
RRE | 2009 | 1137 | $187,474 | $162,000 | 2,293 | $81.76 | 76 | 48 |
2008 | 1283 | $186,356 | $160,600 | 2,216 | $84.10 | 69 | 47 | |
Change | -11.38% | 0.60% | 0.87% | 3.47% | -2.78% | 10.14% | 2% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
RRW | 2009 | 1073 | $230,910 | $219,990 | 2,532 | $91.20 | 75 | 52 |
2008 | 1220 | $245,085 | $229,000 | 2,566 | $95.51 | 69 | 51 | |
Change | -12.05% | -5.78% | -3.93% | -1.33% | -4.52% | 8.70% | 2% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
SC | 2009 | 159 | $176,627 | $151,000 | 2,045 | $86.37 | 62 | 41 |
2008 | 161 | $183,358 | $156,740 | 2,120 | $86.49 | 52 | 34 | |
Change | -1.24% | -3.67% | -3.66% | -3.54% | -0.14% | 19.23% | 21% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
SE | 2009 | 131 | $110,281 | $105,100 | 1,800 | $61.27 | 56 | 37 |
2008 | 169 | $125,295 | $126,500 | 1,847 | $67.84 | 59 | 41 | |
Change | -22.49% | -11.98% | -16.92% | -2.54% | -9.68% | -5.08% | -10% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
SWE | 2009 | 626 | $227,273 | $205,000 | 2,163 | $105.07 | 65 | 42 |
2008 | 651 | $235,616 | $219,000 | 2,171 | $108.53 | 52 | 37 | |
Change | -3.84% | -3.54% | -6.39% | -0.37% | -3.18% | 25.00% | 14% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
SWW | 2009 | 578 | $293,842 | $277,000 | 2,550 | $115.23 | 63 | 38 |
2008 | 578 | $303,685 | $280,000 | 2,505 | $121.23 | 55 | 35 | |
Change | 0.00% | -3.24% | -1.07% | 1.80% | -4.95% | 14.55% | 9% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
UT | 2009 | 32 | $465,110 | $427,500 | 2,029 | $229.23 | 104 | 80 |
2008 | 44 | $471,690 | $419,750 | 1,866 | $252.78 | 54 | 37 | |
Change | -27.27% | -1.39% | 1.85% | 8.74% | -9.32% | 92.59% | 116% | |
MLS Area | Year | # Sold | Avg Sold | Med Sold | Avg SQFT | Avg PSF | Avg Days | Med Days |
W | 2009 | 269 | $473,827 | $335,000 | 2,974 | $159.32 | 84 | 52 |
2008 | 256 | $453,148 | $335,000 | 2,815 | $160.98 | 71 | 49 | |
Change | 5.08% | 4.56% | 0.00% | 5.65% | -1.03% | 18.31% | 6% |
Austin MLS map
I appreciate the map and metrics by MLS area, but I do much of my searches by zip code. Do you have a matrix showing the zip codes w/n each area or is that even possible? I could imagine zip codes weaving in and out of MLS areas.
What do you expect to happen at the appraisal district this year? Surely their data will be manipulated to show that values increased. I can’t wait to see how they respond when I ask for some reduction to account for the tax credit that surely propped up these #’s.
Hi Brian,
I’ve thought of using zipcodes instead of MLS Areas, but there are pros and cons.
For example, MLS Areas 6 and 7 perfectly map into the 78704 zipcode. MLS Areas 8E and 8W fit into 78746/Eanes. Using zipcodes would, in most instances, create large study areas and thus make the stats less geographically specific. This is the main reason I stick with the MLS map.
Thanks for your suggestion though.
Steve
Zip codes are not considered a great basis for geographical analysis, as they are in a constant state of flux. The PO is constantly adding or redefining zip codes. This may not affect core geographies like 78704 very often, but it certainly impacts the newer, outlying subdivisions. Round Rock zips have been split several times in recent memory. Rural areas with one zip code serving a large geography but few addresses have to be split as suburban development occurs and more addresses are added.
The nice thing about the MLS boundaries is that historical data is updated to reflect any definition changes. So when one MLS area is split, the new MLS area is applied to all historical listings in the newly defined area, giving you a statistically sound basis for analysis.
Good points TH. The MLS areas are imperfect but I think they’re the best geographic segmenting tool we have overall. MLS areas generally observe the same boundaries (county lines, major roadways, school districts, etc) and considerations as actual real buyers whereas zipcodes are not designed with buyers in mind.
Steve
Thank you for the information. I understand the MLS areas VS. ZIP but most data on the internet tend to be Zip centric. Correlate between MLS areas (region specific) and the one that is on the internet (national specific) is a challenge.