One of the more puzzling pieces of the real estate process is actually part of the financing process: appraisals. Appraisals are without a doubt confusing, yet they are a key part of the mortgage loan underwriting process. As a home buyer, it’s important to have a basic understanding of their purpose and how they can […]
Austin Home Buyer Tips
Looking for tips to make your home buying experience fun and stress fee? Want to learn what professional buyer's agents look for in a house? Find out our best buyer tips on our Austin Home Buyer Tips Blog.
Don't miss our Austin Home Buyer section, our Austin Home Buyer Blog and our First Time Home Buyers Blog for more insider home buying tips!
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 […]
What to Expect at the Design Center
As we are starting to see builders go back to allowing buyers to pick a lot and build a home from scratch, I thought we should revisit this post describing the process of selecting finishes at the design center. When you buy a new home, there’s a lot of decisions to be made. While you […]
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 […]
Austin Named #2 Fastest Growing US City
Recently the Kenan Institute, in partnership with UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, launched the American Growth Project, which aims to provide economic data, analysis and forecasting for cities and counties across the US. This project supports government officials, business leaders and decision makers, in near real time, short-, medium- and long-term economic forecasts. Why is this […]
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 […]
Top 9 Locational Flaws that Affect Austin Home Values
We often say the best time to think about selling an Austin home is before you buy it. We spend a tremendous amount of time with our buyer clients evaluating an Austin home they’re interested in purchasing. We want them to know exactly what they’re getting into, especially if the home is going to be […]
5 Most Expensive First Time Home Buyer Mistakes
Let’s agree, buying a home can be emotional, unnerving and bewilderingly complex; avoiding the most expensive first time home buyer mistakes will make it less so. Here you’ll find the five most expensive mistakes Austin first time home buyers make and some tips for how to avoid making them in your home search. Mistake #1: […]
What are Closing Costs and Who Pays Them in Austin?
Whether you are selling or buying a home, apartment building or vacant land, there will be closing costs associated with the transaction. That is, money due over and above the cost of the property. Closing costs are fees or charges imposed by certain 3rd parties – entities other than the buyer and seller – who […]
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 […]