When you are seriously considering making an offer on a house, it is likely you will look at the property tax records in an effort to determine the tax rate, schools and how much the property taxes will be. Another field on the property tax record is the property’s assessed value. This field causes a […]
Buying a Home in Austin
Considering buying a home in Austin? Check out our home buyer tips, multiple offer strategies, how-to guides, home buyer mistakes and more in our Austin Home Buyer Blog.
Don't miss our Austin Home Buyer section, our Austin Neighborhood Guides and our Guide to Relocating to Austin for more insider home buying tips!
When Should I Get Pre-Approved?
If you’re thinking about buying a home, there is a lot to do to get prepared. Studies show buyers are researching 12-18 months in advance of purchasing. With this much lead time, we often get the question … “When should I get pre-approved?” We advise our clients to use an experienced lender as a resource […]
Why Get a Home Inspection?
When you find your house and get in contract, it is an extremely exciting time and also a very busy time. The option period (usually the first 5-10 days of the escrow period) is when you bring out inspectors to help you learn exactly what you’re buying. It is not something buyers do frequently, so […]
What Should Buyers Look for in the Sellers Disclosure?
Texas state law requires that a Seller’s Disclosure Notice be delivered to the prospective home buyer as part of the contractual process. The idea of disclosure is simply to tell prospective buyers what the seller knows about a property. Most, but not all, single family home sales (several exceptions apply), require the seller and a […]
Best Time to Buy a Home in Austin
We’re often asked by clients “When is the best time to buy a home in Austin?” How you answer this question should take into account your personal and financial situation. But, for the purposes of this post, we’re going to assume there is nothing in your personal life that will impede your choice to buy […]
When Do I Have to Put a Deposit Down on a Home?
When you’re buying a home in Austin, you’ll be required to put down two deposits if your offer is accepted. There is often confusion as to what these deposits cover and when they are due. Here, we’ll explain the two deposits and tell you when they must be delivered and answer the question when do […]
Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home in Austin (November 2023)?
With the news of higher interest rates, the market slowing, price reductions and overall public sentiment about home buying, buyers are asking themselves is now a good time to buy a home in Austin? If you’ve been following our Austin real estate price reports, you’ll see we analyze the market every month and make a […]
Does the Seller Have to Give a Buyer a Counter Offer
Does the seller have to give a buyer a counter offer? The short answer is no. The seller is under no obligation to respond in any shape, manner or form. Is it smart for a home seller not to respond even if the offer was very low? No. But is it in their right to […]
Why Interest Rate Quoted During Pre-Approval Doesn’t Matter
When most people shop for a home loan, they lead with “please send me your rates” rather than interviewing the mortgage broker or loan officer to see what they’re going to do to work for them. What they don’t understand is the mortgage interest rate quoted during the pre-approval process before you have a signed […]
Fixer Upper’s Lesson on Location
Despite the fact that I work in real estate every day, one of my favorite weekend activities is to binge on Fixer Upper. I can completely suspend reality and simply enjoy the beautiful transformations that Chip & Joanna create. The downside to the show is that many people don’t realize it’s produced television that has […]