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 […]
Top 3 School Districts in Austin
Austin is known for a lot of things from live music to funky food trucks, but it’s also know for it’s highly rated schools. For home buyers with kids, or who plan to have kids, schools will likely be an important factor in your home buying decision. But, even if you don’t have school aged […]
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 […]
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 […]
3 Things No Home Buyer Thinks to Check Out, But Should
Three issues will powerfully impact how satisfied you are living in a home and how much you can sell it for when you are ready to move. Not many Austin home buyers spend too much time researching these issues. Ignore these important issues and you might find yourself in a home you no longer enjoy […]
What to Expect During a Home Inspection
When buying a home in Austin, a home inspection is one of the most important parts of the process. Not only can a home inspection reveal defects that cannot be seen with an untrained eye, but it will also teach you a lot about home ownership. Plan to attend your home inspection, even if that […]
Should I Inspect a New Home?
Should I inspect a new home in Austin? Buying new construction from a developer does not necessarily mean a problem-free home. Don’t assume that a brand-new home was built right or well. A home is an expensive purchase and the cost to repair the other guy’s mistakes can be expensive as well. Why Inspect? Far […]
Do Buyers Need to Attend a Home Inspection if They’re Getting a Written Report?
With long hours at work, family commitments and everything else that demands your time, it is understandable that you might want to eliminate as many additional time commitments as possible. The home buying process in itself is a considerable time soak. After you’ve devoted time to finding the right house and getting your offer accepted, […]