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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]