Hi y’all, welcome back to Selling Austin - your weekly local real estate recap.

Inside: New Fed Chair 🪑 + Adult Dorms? 🛏️ 
Did someone forward this to you? If you want to get 5% smarter* each week, subscribe here!
(*unbiased opinion)

WHAT'S INSIDE

• 🔢 THE DATA

• 🤠 WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND TOWN

• 🤤 HOUSE WORTH DROOLING OVER

🔢 THE DATA

I’m an ex-dentist turned Realtor - let’s work together! Email me, tweet me or send me a carrier pigeon. 🐦️ 

New year, new Fed chair. What does that actually mean?

President Trump has officially nominated Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve. He has been explicit about what he expects from the role.

Background:

• Warsh is expected to take over when Powell’s term ends in May, pending Senate approval

• Trump has said Warsh would not have received the nomination if he supported raising rates

• The White House continues to frame high rates as the primary obstacle to growth

How the Fed actually works:

• The Fed chair holds one vote on the 12-member Federal Open Market Committee

• Rate decisions are driven by inflation and labor market data, not presidential preference

• Recent Fed meetings show little urgency to resume aggressive cuts

TLDR: Trump is openly pressuring the Fed and projecting confidence that rates will fall, but institutional checks mean any cuts will likely be slow, measured and data-driven.

🤠 WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND TOWN

A new version of affordability: adult dorms

Houston is testing co-living properties for single adults that are priced out of conventional rentals.

What exactly does that mean?

• Investors are building small, dorm-style homes specifically for PadSplit, a co-living platform

• Roughly 33 new or in-progress properties are backed by the Passive Investor Network

• Each bedroom is rented individually, with private baths and shared kitchens and laundry

Why is this model is gaining traction?

• Targets renters blocked by high deposits, credit checks and income requirements

• Utilities, internet, furniture and cleaning are typically included

• Leases are flexible, with move-in costs around $100 versus $1,600+ for many apartments

TLDR: this is a density-driven response to affordability pressure. If it is successful in Houston, we will likely see this model expand across Texas.

🤤 HOUSE WORTH DROOLING OVER

Now this is a HOUSE. 10,000+ sqft, 7 beds, 11 baths (slightly excessive?).

New build, yours for: $15,900,000

Thank you for being here! Reply to this email if you have any questions or just to say hello! 👋 

P.S. If you think your friends would like this newsletter, I’d love for you to share it with them!