Buda property taxes can contribute a significant amount to your monthly mortgage payment. Budgeting for property taxes can be difficult because there are two variables: property tax rate and assessed value of the property. Both can change from year to year. The property tax rate varies from neighborhood to neighborhood, so there is no set […]
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 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. Earnest Money Deposit Buyers will be […]
What are the Average Property Taxes in Austin?
Buyers who want to budget their monthly housing payment frequently ask how much property taxes are in Austin. The short answer is property taxes vary based on several factors, so it is hard to say they are a certain percentage in the Austin metro area. School district, utility district, hospital districts and whether or not […]
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, drainage with the help of these residential septic services in lancaster pa. A MUD can levy taxes, charge for services and issue debt […]
When It Comes to Home Buying, My Dad Had The Best Negotiation Advice
While haggling may be commonplace around the world, save for country fairs, open markets and occasional trips abroad, it is a skill not commonly utilized by Americans. While it is true that during those trips to the Moroccan souk, we gleefully delight in bringing the cost of an item down to half the offered price, […]
Tips for Women Home Buyers
Women are becoming a larger and larger percentage of the Austin home buyer population. When you’re a single woman planning to live alone or about to start a famiy looking for single family homes, you want to pay special attention to the safety and security of the area. Here are some tips for women home […]
How to Research an Austin Neighborhood
When you’re looking to buy a new home, you’ll want to gather as much information about a particular neighborhood as possible. The more you can learn about the neighborhood before you buy, the higher the likelihood you’ll enjoy living there for longer. We’ve put together a guide to help you research Austin area neighborhoods. Here […]
Austin Neighborhoods with Lowest Property Tax Rates
If you’re new to Austin, the property tax rate can be an adjustment. While it is true we don’t have state income tax, we do have higher than average property taxes, usually 1.7-3.4% of the assessed value. With this much of a swing, the property tax rate can make a huge difference to your monthly […]
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 […]