If you’re an Austin home seller, understanding your responsibilities and options during the negotiation process is crucial. A common question sellers ask is, “Do I have to give a buyer a counter offer?” The simple answer is no. Sellers are not obligated to respond to a buyer’s offer, even if it’s a low ball one. […]
What is a MUD and What Do Buyers Need to Know About Them?
A Municipal Utility District commonly referred to as a MUD is a special purpose political subdivision of the State of Texas authorized by the Texas Water Code (TWC) to provide water, sewage and drainage. A MUD can levy taxes, charge for services and issue debt for infrastructure within a well defined geographical area. MUD’s are […]
7 Tips for Preparing Your Home to Sell this Spring
Are you thinking of selling your home this Spring? Here are a few ideas you can start implementing now before your home goes on the market to preserve as much of your home’s equity as you can control. Follow these 7 tips for preparing your home to sell this Spring and you will get more […]
Should I Buy a Home with a Foundation Problem?
Foundation problems are not uncommon in Central Texas. Our clay soil expands or contracts as the moisture content in the soil changes throughout the year. The expansion and contraction of the soil can place disproportionate stresses on the foundation causing it settle. Settlement in one area may not be the same in other areas, thus […]
9 Questions You Must Ask Before You Purchase Waterfront Property
Austin’s river system is one of its most important natural beauties and greatest attractions. Owning waterfront property in Austin is a dream shared by many and it’s unique characteristics pose more potential traps than any other type or real estate. Whether you are looking to buy waterfront property on the Colorado River known around Austin […]
13 Warning Signs You’re Buying the Wrong Austin Condo
Condominium ownership is a very special kind of home ownership. There are a myriad of issues affecting how much you’ll enjoy living in the unit and what you can sell it for when you are ready. Recognizing the early warning signs of trouble and researching the potential risks is an important first step in the […]
How to Determine Whether it is a Seller’s Market or Buyer’s Market
We often hear the term seller’s market or buyer’s market but it may not always be clear how agents determine what type of market we are currently experiencing. Here, we’ll show you how to determine whether it is a seller’s market or buyer’s market and what metrics agents use to distinguish between the two types […]
Can a Buyer Do Repairs on a Home Before Closing?
Austin home buyers sometimes ask if they are able to do repairs on a home before closing. This usually comes up with houses that don’t qualify for financing (homes with no stove, no heater, missing toilets, etc). For the purposes of the question allow me to greatly oversimplify. The answer is “No” even if the […]
Why Do Buyers Need a New Survey?
Those of you relocating from other parts of the country – particularly from California like we did – are generally unfamiliar with the idea of getting a survey before purchasing a home in Austin. Buyers often ask: Why do buyers need a new survey? Well, here’s why. What is the Purpose of a Survey? A […]
Buying REOs (Foreclosures) – Fact vs Fiction
Foreclosures have presented a lure of a deal for years as the real estate market has had its ups and downs. Over the past few months, we’ve been hearing a lot of buyers with some incorrect ideas about how buying foreclosures in Austin works. Here are some foreclosure buying facts and fiction to help set […]