Why spring buyers are getting busy
#79
WELCOME
Texas is no stranger to booms—oil, tech, population—but now, the AI revolution is fueling a new kind of land rush.
With billion-dollar data centers rising across the state, demand for power, infrastructure, and housing is surging. In Abilene alone, 20 massive facilities are already in the works, and with thousands of workers needed to build and maintain them, the local real estate market is bracing for impact. So far, Texas has met housing demand fairly well, maintaining affordable pricing and moderate competition.
In Abilene and tech-centric cities across Texas, the question isn’t whether housing demand will rise—it’s how quickly supply can keep up.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ve rounded up the best tips and takeaways from the top women in real estate for a special, insight-packed episode of Glennda’s Guru. Tap to catch advice from powerhouse agents like Jade Mills, Tracy Tutor, Cami Lincowski, Maya Vander, Dawn McKenna, Rayni Williams, and more.
TRACK THE MARKET: The Spring Buying Boost
Spring buyers aren’t waiting around for warmer weather. As mortgage rates settle into the mid-6% range, more house hunters are locking in loans and getting serious about purchasing. Applications for home mortgages jumped last week, a sign that buyers are adjusting to today’s market. More homes are staying on the market longer, giving buyers a chance to compare options, negotiate, and submit stronger offers. But even with a steadier rate environment, competition isn’t disappearing—rising home prices are pushing loan sizes to record highs, and sellers are still seeing multiple offers.
-
Mortgage applications for home purchases rose 7% last week, bringing the total 4% higher than this time last year.
-
The average home loan size climbed to $460,800, the highest ever recorded, as buyers stretch to afford today’s prices.
-
FHA loan applications spiked 11%, as more buyers took advantage of lower rates on government-backed loans.
With buyers adapting, rates steadying, and inventory improving in key markets, the spring housing market is shaping up to be more active than expected.
DIVE IN
The Friday Five
📖 No place like home. Why Americans value their homes more than ever.
👀 The Getty House. Join James Harris for a tour of the incredible Getty House, 15,000ft² of museum-like luxury.
👀 House of Celebs. See inside Elvis Presley’s just-listed iconic 1967 home, designed by Rex Lottery.
💡 Redfin & Rocket. Glennda’s take on the surprising acquisition of Redfin.
💡 Serhant takes the Southwest. Why Ryan Serhant is expanding to Phoenix—and bringing 6 agents with him.
NEXT UP: TRACY TUTOR LIVE ON 3/26 – DON’T MISS THIS!
If you want to attract high-end clients and establish yourself as a true luxury expert, this is the session for you! Join Tracy Tutor LIVE on 3/26 at 3PM ET inside Estate Elite for:
📍 Leveraging Luxury Expertise to Attract High-End Clients – Learn how to position yourself as the go-to luxury agent and attract the clients you WANT.
And if you missed this week’s power-packed triple header, all three sessions are now available on demand!
▶ Lead Generation Strategies for Luxury Realtors – James Harris & David Parnes
▶ Mastering Emotional Intelligence in Real Estate Sales – Glennda Baker
▶ Mastering Time Management & Productivity for Luxury Agents – Josh Flagg
Start your 14-day free trial now to catch up and join Tracy live next week!
WHAT’S NEW FROM ESTATE MEDIA
Real estate is changing. Are you ready for what’s next?
Today’s agents are negotiators, advisors, problem-solvers, and community leaders navigating markets shaped by regulations, mass relocations, insurance uncertainties, and affordability issues. That’s why we put together our next live, in-person panel: Future Forward: The New Role of Real Estate Agents in a Changing World.
Join some of the biggest names in real estate—including Josh Flagg, Jason Oppenheim (Selling Sunset), Tracy Tutor, Jade Mills, and host Ben Belack—as they unpack the biggest industry shifts they’re facing in the luxury market, plus how they’re staying ahead of the curve.
If you’re looking for a blueprint for the future of real estate, don’t miss this live panel. Tap here to get your ticket and we’ll save you a seat!
FEATURED LUXURY LISTING
TIPS & TAKEAWAYS
Story Time with Glennda
The market isn’t behaving the way it should, and Glennda Baker has seen enough spring seasons to know when something’s off. Sellers are holding out, many buyers are waiting for price drops, and expectations aren’t lining up with reality. But as Glennda puts it, when things don’t go as planned, it’s time to get creative.
One seller recently asked her if having 300 saves on their listing meant something. Glennda’s answer? “If it’s a dream property, most of those are just Pinterest vision boards. But for a normal house? That’s 300 people waiting for you to lower the price.”
For more on how she’s navigating this unpredictable market—and why a sub-6% interest rate might be the key to unlocking demand—tap to read the full story.
HANGS & HAPPENINGS
REALTOR Broker Summit | Louisville, KY | April 8-9. Get leadership and marketing insights tailored to brokers, real estate leaders, and teams ready to refine their strategies and jump ahead of the competition. Register for two days packed with workshops, presentations, meet-and-greets, and more.
Inman Connect | San Diego, CA | July 30 – August 1. Sharpen your real estate game with immersive discussions, interactive workshops, top-tier networking, and more, alongside some of the biggest players in real estate, proptech, and lending.
Before we go…
ESTATE RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
📣WANT TO REACH 100K+ REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS RIGHT IN THEIR INBOX?
Promote your brand with Estate Weekly and get noticed by the leading professionals in the real estate industry. Our subscribers include high-income decision-makers, investors, and key players in the real estate sector. For more information, please email partnerships@estatemedia.co.
![WAS [the newsletter] by Estate Media](https://estatemedia.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/was-the-newsletter-min.jpg)
