Realtor.com Converts Austin HQ into SXSW "Open House" Neighborhood Hub

Realtor.com turns Austin headquarters into SXSW neighborhood hub

Realtor.com® is converting its Austin headquarters into a two-day "Open House" that positions the company at the intersection of real estate, housing policy and technology during SXSW 2026. The event takes place Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14 at 901 E. 6th Street and serves as a showcase for the company’s community engagement and industry-facing programming. Organizer notes emphasize the gathering as a way to bring together partners, press, creators and housing stakeholders in a single neighbourhood-focused setting.

The centerpiece programming focuses on the PropTech ecosystem and the broader forces shaping housing. Friday morning opens with a café set featuring cookbook author and country music performer Hannah Dasher, followed by a PropTech Startup Showdown — an early-stage startup competition produced with the National Association of REALTORS®. Saturday shifts to panel discussions and presentations on themes such as purpose-driven storytelling, the economic clout of female homebuyers and the role of homeownership in generational wealth, signalling Realtor.com’s intent to link cultural programming with industry discourse.

By staging the Open House at its own office, Realtor.com is using physical space to extend brand relevance beyond listings and search. The agenda blends entertainment, startup pitching and policy-facing conversations, reflecting a strategic push to deepen ties with local communities, tech founders and national industry groups. The mix of music, networking and expert panels aims to reinforce Realtor.com’s positioning as a platform that connects consumer-facing experiences with the product and policy debates shaping housing markets.

Programming and speakers

Speakers and panelists include Realtor.com executives — Mickey Neuberger, Chief Consumer and Marketing Officer; Anna Marie Castiglioni, Head of Realtor.com Next; and Chief Economist Danielle Hale — alongside industry figures such as Taylor Morrison CEO Sheryl Palmer, NAR’s Dr. Jessica Lautz, representatives from Google, The Urban Institute, Texas REALTORS® and Buildxact. The schedule pairs industry discussion with creative elements, ending Friday with a "House Warming Party" featuring music duo Dorio.

Access, partners and media invite

Realtor.com describes the Open House as an extension of its commitment to the Austin community and invites media to attend all events. The company highlights collaboration with the National Association of REALTORS® and local real estate groups as central to the event’s goal of creating a space "where culture meets real estate."