Sarah Maddali of Serendipity Realty Group at Compass breaks down the City of Austin's $295 million bond package and what it could add to a typical tax bill, as mortgage rates ease to their lowest level of October.

AUSTIN, Texas (Nov. 2, 2026) - Austin property taxes are on the ballot Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Austin real estate agent Sarah Maddali of Serendipity Realty Group at Compass wants homeowners and buyers to know their own numbers before they vote. City of Austin voters will decide Propositions A and B, a combined $295 million in bonds for parks, recreation facilities and libraries, according to the City of Austin.

Proposition A would provide $260 million for parks and recreation, including $65.5 million to renovate recreation and senior centers, $65 million to renovate or replace city pools and $35 million to buy new parkland, according to the city's 2026 bond page. Proposition B would provide $35 million for libraries: $20 million to renovate and expand the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill and $15 million toward a future Colony Park Branch Library.

Both bonds would raise property taxes if approved. The city estimates a combined increase of about 1.1024 cents per $100 of taxable value over the life of the bonds, or about $55 a year for a home with a $500,000 taxable value, as reported by KVUE and CultureMap Austin on Oct. 19. The City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 6 to place both measures on the ballot, Austin Current reported.

The vote comes as borrowing costs eased slightly. Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey put the 30-year fixed average at 7.24% for the week of Oct. 29, down from 7.32% the week before and up from 6.17% a year earlier. Nationally, Compass's October 2026 Monthly Economic Summary reported 1.15 million homes for sale, about 5% more than a year ago, with pending sales running about 16% below last year. Closer to home, Sarah Maddali's own pull of Unlock MLS data showed 6.9 months of supply in South Austin for the 30 days ending Oct. 27.

"However you vote on Props A and B, know what they mean for your own bill first," said Sarah Maddali. "The city's estimate is based on taxable value, not what your home would sell for, so pull up your appraisal notice and look at the value after exemptions. If you're buying this fall, Austin property taxes are part of what a home really costs, right next to the rate, so ask for the current tax rate and exemptions on every home you tour."

What Austin homeowners and buyers can do this month:
- Find your taxable value on your 2026 appraisal notice from your county appraisal district and use that number, not market value, when you read any tax estimate.
- Make sure your homestead exemption is on file. If you bought your home this year, check with your appraisal district about applying.
- If you're shopping, ask for the current tax rate and exemptions on each home, since the seller's exemptions and bill may not carry over to you.

Sarah's free Austin buyer and relocation guides are at https://sarahmaddali.com/links/.

About Serendipity Realty Group
Serendipity Realty Group is an Austin, Texas real estate team led by Sarah Maddali, REALTOR® and Military Relocation Professional (MRP). Before real estate, Sarah worked in physical therapy, and she moved into real estate after her own first home purchase left her feeling like nobody was in her corner. Since 2016, Sarah and her team have closed 220+ transactions and helped flip 22+ homes around Austin, and she has been recognized by Austin Real Producers. The team helps first-time home buyers, relocating families and sellers across Austin, South Austin and the surrounding Hill Country. Serendipity Realty Group is a real estate team affiliated with Compass. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Media contact:
Sarah Maddali
Serendipity Realty Group at Compass
2500 Bee Caves Rd, Bldg 3, Ste 200, Austin, TX 78746
563.650.0452
[email protected]
https://sarahmaddali.com
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