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 […]
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.
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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 […]
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 […]
What Does Closing Escrow Mean?
Closing escrow is a big, important and essential step along the road to buying a home in Austin. For those who have never bought a home, closing is often viewed by many as an unexplained and overwhelming experience. It’s the final step in the process of transferring title (ownership) to the buyer. Become Familiar with […]
Advantages of Buying a Home During the Holidays
The next 6 weeks presents a golden opportunity for those serious Austin home buyers looking for an advantage. While most people are busy planning, preparing and coping with the demands of the Holiday Season, determined home buyers can take advantage of other people’s pre-occupation. What are some of the advantages of buying a home during […]
Using Price Per Square Foot When Determining Home Value
Attempting to measure a home’s true market value using a price per square foot calculation is more often confusing, misleading and quite possibly deceptive. Using price per square foot as a valuation tool is a little like predicting the local high and low temperatures by using a national weather temperature averages. But, even with its […]
The Two Scariest Words in Home Buying: Inspection and Appraisal
Buying a home is scary, especially if you don’t know what to expect. For most, the scariest events are the home inspection and appraisal. Inspections and appraisal evoke feelings of doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty in both home buyers and sellers. Fear of the unknown is a fairly common human condition, especially when it involves large […]
8 Things Home Buyers Should Notice But Don’t
There are certain things that will greatly affect how you live in a home. The ironic thing is most Austin home buyers never think to investigate or even notice the things that will most affect them. To help you think through your next purchase, here are the 8 things home buyers should notice but don’t. […]
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 […]
How to Find a Foreclosure in Austin
Not too many years ago, foreclosures made up about 8% of home sales in Austin. Now foreclosures make up under 0.5%. Bank owned homes and foreclosures in Austin, even though scarce, still attract many home buyers looking for a deal. We’ve not only helped several buyers buy foreclosures over the years, we’ve also bought them […]