Podcast Summary: The David Greene Show Episode: Real Talk Realtor with Jordan Moorhead - Selling Houses in a Crashing Market | Episode 68
Release Date: June 24, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 68 of Real Talk Real Estate, host David Greene welcomes guest Jordan Moorhead, a seasoned real estate agent from Keller Williams in Austin, Texas. The episode delves into the current state of the Austin real estate market, exploring its rapid growth, recent corrections, and strategies for both agents and investors navigating this dynamic landscape.

Austin Real Estate Market Overview

David Greene opens the discussion by reflecting on Austin's explosive growth over recent years, highlighting factors such as high-profile relocations like Joe Rogan's, the establishment of Austin as the "jiu jitsu mecca," and the influx of tech companies—including giants like Dell and Intel. He asks Jordan to elaborate on how Austin became such a prominent city.

Jordan Moorhead responds by outlining the historical growth spurred by Austin's reputation as the "Silicon Hills." He attributes the city's allure to its combination of technology, government presence as the Texas capital, manufacturing, and tourism. Moorhead explains, "Austin's explosive growth during the pandemic was supercharged by really low rates and people wanting to move from more expensive areas like California" (02:31).

Market Dynamics and Inventory

The conversation shifts to the current market conditions. Jordan details the shift from Austin's hyper-growth to a more balanced market:

• Pre-2022: Austin experienced meteoric price appreciation, with some years seeing up to 20% growth.
• Post-May 2022: Rising interest rates began to cool the market, leading to a decline in home prices and affordability challenges.

Jordan notes, "We have an interesting conundrum in Texas. We don't have any state income taxes, which is awesome, but we have high property taxes." This has led to high property taxes making home purchases less affordable despite relatively low interest rates (06:00).

Additionally, Austin's proactive approach to building affordable housing has resulted in an oversupply of rental units, making rent cheaper than home ownership in some areas. Jordan highlights, "Two bedroom, two bath, eleven hundred dollars a month, amazing rent... that's just right on the edge in Round Rock" (06:30).

Market Dynamics and Inventory

David and Jordan discuss the shift from a seller's to a buyer's market, emphasizing the increase in inventory. Jordan explains, "In 2022, we had 3,000 sold and 14,500 on the market" (07:18), indicating a significant rise in available homes compared to the number of sales. This inversion suggests reduced market momentum and challenges for both buyers and sellers.

Agent Production and Challenges

The discussion moves to the personal experiences of realtors in the current market. Jordan shares his production numbers, noting a drop from selling 97 homes in 2023 to 27 homes in the current year. He attributes this decline to the slower market pace, stating, "It's harder as an agent right now you have to put in three times the work to get the same amount of work done" (10:15).

Jordan emphasizes the importance of perseverance, mentioning, "I know it's hard. I know it's challenging. I'm not making as much money as I was. But that's fine because I know I'm going to be here when everybody else isn't" (11:54).

Managing Finances and Discipline in Real Estate

David and Jordan explore strategies for maintaining financial stability and discipline during market slowdowns. Jordan advises real estate agents to:

1. Save and Invest Wisely: "When you're just printing money in those great seasons, don't let your lifestyle get ahead of you. Save a lot of that money and invest in cash flowing real estate" (14:00).

2. Establish Routines: Maintaining a consistent daily schedule helps manage workload and prevent burnout. Jordan shares his own routine, "I get up at the same time, I go to the gym, I do the same things" (17:00).

3. Leverage Administrative Support: Having a strong support team can alleviate emotional stress and increase productivity. "Having a barrier of somebody else is answering the phone first and then passing the call along to me... I can do really well as an agent" (18:00).

Dealing with Emotional Aspects

The emotional toll of being a real estate agent in a fluctuating market is addressed. David raises concerns about agents experiencing emotional highs and lows, akin to their clients' experiences. Jordan responds by emphasizing the importance of discipline and routine to maintain emotional stability. He states, "Having a good team and having good discipline" are key to managing the emotional challenges (19:39).

Strategies for Real Estate Agents

Several actionable strategies are discussed for agents to thrive in a challenging market:

1. Structured Time Blocks: Jordan outlines his daily schedule, highlighting dedicated time for team meetings, lead generation, and follow-ups. "I do my lead gen from 10 to noon and it's not stressful" (21:15).

2. Effective Lead Generation: Focusing on quality over quantity in lead generation efforts ensures better results. Jordan mentions, "We strive to make 50 contacts every week. So 50 contacts or two appointments are our measures" (21:15).

3. Utilizing Online Platforms: Engaging with communities like BiggerPockets to provide value without direct selling attracts potential clients. "I've been on BiggerPockets since 2014. I've actually gotten a ton of business off of BiggerPockets just by being useful to other people" (22:46).

4. Adapting to Market Conditions: David suggests writing offers without the intention of immediate acceptance to gauge seller interest and flexibility. For example, submitting a lower initial offer to test the waters and adjust accordingly (43:00).

5. Maximizing MLS Listings: Jordan advises agents to scrutinize MLS listings beyond front-facing photos to identify hidden value, such as potential for added square footage or backyard enhancements. "If you click left, what I'm seeing is, do you have a stunning backyard... or do you have square footage that could be converted" (44:00).

Future Outlook for Austin Real Estate

In concluding the discussion, Jordan Moorhead shares his perspective on the future of Austin's real estate market. He anticipates a prolonged buyer's market with high inventory and slower transactions for the next year or more. Jordan expresses hope that interest rates will decrease, restoring affordability and sparking market growth:

• Short-Term: "For at least the foreseeable future, it's going to be very slow. We're going to see a small amount of transactions. We're going to see a high amount of inventory" (47:37).

• Long-Term: "When rents get back to more of the normal trend for Austin, I think people are going to start to say, okay, well, maybe interest rates have gone down a little bit. And I'm thinking about buying a home now" (48:00).

Jordan also addresses population trends, noting that while some data suggests Austin itself is losing population, surrounding areas like Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, and Buda are experiencing significant growth. This suburban expansion continues to fuel real estate opportunities (50:03).

Closing Remarks

David Greene wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to reach out to Jordan for real estate needs in Austin. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and continuous improvement to succeed in the real estate industry.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Moorhead: "Austin's explosive growth during the pandemic was supercharged by really low rates and people wanting to move from more expensive areas like California." (02:31)

• Jordan Moorhead: "Having a good team and having good discipline" are key to managing the emotional challenges." (19:39)

• Jordan Moorhead: "I keep saying, and I'm just not even going to say it, I keep saying I think we're flattened out and then I get proven wrong." (07:02)

• David Green: "It's easy to say, well, I want to go do something easier. I love this market, personally. I know it's hard." (11:54)

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive look into the Austin real estate market's current state, providing valuable insights for agents and investors alike. Jordan Moorhead’s candid discussion on market dynamics, personal challenges, and strategic approaches serves as a valuable guide for navigating and succeeding in a fluctuating real estate environment.

For more insights and resources, listeners can reach out to Jordan Moorhead via Instagram (@Jordan_Moorhead) or text him at 512-888-9122. Additionally, David Greene encourages listeners to visit davidgreen24.com for further assistance and information.