Realtor.com Relocating California HQ to Austin

From staff reports

Realtor.com is trading California’s Silicon Valley for Texas’ Silicon Hills. The big-wig provider of online real estate services announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters from Santa Clara, Calif. to Austin.

Over the last few years, Realtor.com has invested in its existing 60,000-square-foot Austin office, located at 901 E 6th St. The company plans to invest in further talent development in its new Austin headquarters, where it houses more than 400 employees.

“Realtor.com intends to hire hundreds more [in Austin] over the coming years,” a spokesperson told CandysDirt.com.

However, don’t expect a flood of California residents coming to town for the HQ relocation. The spokesperson clarified that Santa Clara employees are not moving to Texas, but rather they are leaving the California brick-and-mortar office and working fully remote.

Report: Texas Will Become Most Populated State by 2045

This move comes as Realtor.com released a new report this week saying Texas is now the fastest-growing state in the country and is forecast to overtake California as the most populous state by 2045. According to the report, the top reasons people move to Texas include plentiful jobs, affordable housing, and a different climate, with most newcomers arriving from California and abroad.

The report highlights how Texas is building more affordable homes than the rest of the country and was the number one state for permitted housing units, accounting for 15% of the 2024 U.S. total — well above its 9% share of the U.S. population.

Strong Talent Pool and No State Taxes

“Austin and Texas offer a strong and growing talent pool, a powerhouse economy with unparalleled housing growth, affordability of living only matched by its aspirational lifestyle, expansive tech, and academic communities, and a dynamic and vibrant city at the heart of the thriving state of Texas. There is no better place for us to call home,” said Damian Eales, Chief Executive Officer, Realtor.com.

“Basing Realtor.com in Texas puts our company at the heart of innovation and inspiration at a moment of national economic renaissance for America. We are proud to be housed in a state that understands the crucial role played by business in providing opportunities for personal growth, professional success, and community achievement. Our investment in Austin is a down payment on the American Dream,” said Robert Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of News Corp, parent company of Realtor.com.

“We are proud to welcome Realtor.com’s corporate headquarters to Austin as they expand their presence in Texas, along with our state’s growing housing market,” Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement. “Thanks to our unmatched business environment, no corporate or personal income taxes, and our highly skilled, young, and diverse workforce, Texas is the right place for Realtor.com.”

Realtor.com is a real estate listing search site that pioneered the world of digital real estate more than 25 years ago. Today, through its website and mobile apps, Realtor.com is a trusted guide for consumers, empowering more people to find their way home by breaking down barriers, helping them make the right connections, and creating confidence through expert insights and guidance.