Every residential real estate transaction is negotiable in varying degrees relative to the local housing market conditions. While it is true that the homeowner sets the asking price, it is the home buyer that truly determines the home’s value. Why? Because a home is only worth what a ready, willing and financially able buyer will […]
What Response Can I Expect After Making an Offer?
What response can I expect after making an offer on an Austin home? There are 5 possible reactions from the seller when your Austin buyer’s agent presents your offer. #1: The Seller Can Formally Reject Your Offer The seller or their agent can inform you that your offer is unacceptable and the seller will not […]
Top 5 Things to Remember When Selling Your Home
Over the past 3 decades, I’ve bought and sold a fair amount of real estate both as an investor for my own account and as an agent representing clients. Along the way I’ve learned the hard way – through experience – several simple truths about real estate. I wish I had learned these truisms earlier […]
Lifestyle vs Location – Better Neighborhood or Better Home?
The influence of location on value is recognized by virtually everyone, yet, little consideration is focused on the personal effect location plays on the buyer’s lifestyle. What part location plays on an owner’s everyday responsibilities is a question that seemingly few prospective buyers ask. How does the location of the neighborhood you’re considering affect your […]
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 […]
Ego Alert: 8 Mistakes Home Sellers Make
Ego can play a huge role in the home sales process and is something we coach our sellers to keep in check when they decide to sell their home. Unbridled ego kills more deals and takes money out of the seller’s pocket. 8 Mistakes Home Sellers Make Let’s take a look at some of the […]
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 […]
The Biggest Complaint Among Austin Condo Owners
Intrusive noise is the biggest complaint among Austin condo owners. Occasionally, noise disturbance is inherent to the complex’s location in the city. Condos located next to a busy freeway or highly traveled intersection can expect more than moderate levels of noise penetration, especially in older buildings that are not as soundproof as newer construction. But, […]
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 […]
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 and drainage. A MUD can levy taxes, charge for services and issue debt for infrastructure within a well defined geographical area. MUD’s are […]