This week on Driving It Home, we’re trying something new — starting with a quick, hyperlocal market pulse from Vaike O’Grady: five minutes, three headlines you need to know right now in Central Texas real estate.

Then Emily Girard sits down with Taylor Smith  to talk about how affordability is playing out in Austin, and the things our local leaders are doing to keep an eye on it overall.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Austin household growth (NAR): https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/austin-tx-one-of-the-fastest-growing-areas-for-households-in-the-country-over-the-past-decade

• Austin named top capital city to live in (Realtor.com): https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/best-state-capitals-to-live-2026/

• Opportunity Austin / 3billion announcement: https://opportunityaustin.com/3billion/

• Voter resource hub: https://unlockmls.com/vote