Austin is among the best big cities for families in 2025

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1. Austin is among the best big cities for families in 2025

Online marketplace LendingTree released a study that identified the best major metropolitan areas for families in 2025, and Austin was among the top 10, ranked at number 6.

The study used data from the Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey and evaluated each metro based on the following metrics:

• Median income for families with children

• The percentage of children living in owned homes (rather than rented)

• The rate of children living below the poverty line

• The share of older teens (ages 16 to 19) neither currently enrolled in school nor graduated from high school (or equivalent)

• Average round-trip commute times

• The percentage of households with kids

• The average cost of child care for a 4-year-old and infant (combined)

2. Redfin announces layoffs after striking Zillow rental deal

On Wednesday, Redfin reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that the company is laying off 450 employees from its rental division after agreeing to a $100 million deal that makes Zillow the exclusive provider of multifamily rental listings on Redfin's sites.

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3. Catch up quick

🏡 Court allows Airbnb-style rentals to continue in Dallas. (KVUE)

📈 Consumer Price Index shows inflation heated up to 3% in January. (Axios)

💵 Zillow’s Q4 revenues rose 17 percent annually to $544 million. (Zillow)

🏗️ What tariffs on steel & aluminum mean for builders & homebuyers. (BAM)

🚀 Report: Texas could eclipse California as the most populous state by 2045. (KXAN)

❤️ Fun read: Valentine’s Day spending reaches a record $27.5 billion. (NRF)

4. Charted: Homebuyer pays roughly 2% less than the list price

Today’s average home listing is selling for under its asking price, and taking a long time to sell, according to a report from Redfin. While that’s not ideal for sellers, it’s good news for homebuyers who have been grappling with high housing costs and a shortage of inventory.

The typical home is selling for 1.8% less than its asking price, the biggest discount in nearly two years.

5. 1 in 5 homeowners are looking to sell in the next 3 yrs

19% of homeowners either have their homes listed for sale or are considering selling their homes within the next three years. 48% of those homeowners intend to sell in the next year, while 36% intend to sell within the next 2-3 years. That’s according to Zillow.

Here are the top reasons why these homeowners are either selling or planning to sell:

• 56% found other homes they prefer over their current one

• 55% want an upgraded home with better features

• 49% plan to sell for a profit or use their home equity

• 45% think they can sell for more now than in the future

• 41% cited a shrinking household

• 39% believe they’ll get a better deal on a new home now

• 34% cited a growing households

6. Bill to cut Texas property taxes advances to Senate

A bill aimed at lowering property taxes unanimously passed a Texas Senate committee Tuesday, clearing the way for a vote before the full Senate. The Senate Local Government Committee voted 6-0 to approve Senate Bill 4, which aims to raise the state’s homestead exemption to $140,000.

• The Bill would raise tax exemptions on Texans’ primary homes by $40,000. The current homestead exemption is $100,000 for most homeowners and $110,000 for seniors and people with disabilities.

If approved by both chambers this session, the tax cut would then go to voters in November.

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