Living in Austin is set to include more park, pool and library projects after voters backed Propositions A and B in the Nov. 3 election, according to unofficial results announced by the City of Austin on Nov. 4. Sarah Maddali, REALTOR® and team leader of Serendipity Realty Group at Compass, says people moving to Austin should look at the project list and the tax line together before they settle on a neighborhood.

Prop A, a $260 million parks bond, and Prop B, a $35 million library bond, both passed in unofficial returns. Results stay unofficial until canvassed. According to Austin Current, Prop A includes $65 million for four pools (Garrison, Big Stacy, Walnut Creek and Civitan) and $29.5 million for park infrastructure at sites such as Williamson Creek Trail and Zilker Metro Park. Prop B includes $20 million to renovate and expand the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill Library and $15 million for a new library in Colony Park.

The cost shows up slowly. Community Impact reported the bonds would add about $11 per $100,000 of property value per year once fully issued. For a typical home valued at $377,282, that's just under $7 next year, rising to about $41.60 once all bonds are issued. The taxes begin in 2027, and the city plans to issue about $49 million a year over six years.

For anyone weighing living in Austin, the housing market is giving buyers room. Based on Unlock MLS data pulled by Serendipity Realty Group for the 30 days ending Nov. 2, 2026, South Austin recorded 92 closed sales at a median close price of $411,500, with 6.9 months of supply and 75 listings that expired or were withdrawn. Homes that sold in their first week closed at 99.1% of original list price on average, compared with 87.9% for homes that sat 120 days or more. Freddie Mac's 30-year fixed average was 7.24% for the week of Oct. 29, down from 7.32% the week before, with the next update due Thursday, Nov. 5.

"If you're moving to Austin, a bond vote isn't a reason to choose or skip a neighborhood, but it's a great reason to look up what's planned near the homes on your list," said Maddali. "A new pool or a bigger library ten minutes away can change your weekends more than $40 a year changes your budget. What I'd actually do is ask for the full property tax history on any home you're serious about, because that tells you far more than one line on a ballot."

What people moving to Austin can do this month:

- Compare the city's bond project list with the neighborhoods you're touring, and note which parks, pools and libraries are getting work.
- Ask for the current tax rate and tax history on any home before you make an offer, and remember the new bond taxes start in 2027.
- Use days on market when you negotiate. In South Austin, homes that sat 120 days or more closed near 88% of their original list price.

Sarah's free relocation guides are at 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]

###