Mortgage insurance is required on all FHA insured home loans and is one of the most popular loan programs for Austin home buyers. FHA requires two mortgage insurance premiums, upfront mortgage insurance equal to 1.75% of the total loan amount (this portion can be financed) and annual mortgage insurance added to your monthly payment. How […]
Time to Purchase Austin Investment Real Estate
WOW! I’m amazed at how quickly a formerly depressed segment of the Austin real estate market can turn around. The Austin, Texas small unit (2-4 units) rental market is a textbook example. The notable drop in home ownership rates from 69% in 2005 to 66% in 2011 has created about 5 million new renter households. […]
Should a Seller Pay a Buyer’s Closing Costs ?
The question of why should the seller pay the buyer’s closing costs comes up with some degree of frequency. Should a seller pay a buyer’s closing costs in Austin? This is an excellent question and the answer is very straight-forward and pragmatic: You contribute to a buyer’s closing costs so they can BUY your house! […]
Working with the Seller’s Agent? Consider This!
If the Austin real estate agent you are working with does not represent you, they represents the other party. The terms “working through” and “working with” do not have the same meaning as “working for.” Many Austin home buyers wrongly assume that working with an agent means the agent is working for them – protecting […]
Austin’s Housing Crunch – Home Buyers Feel the Pinch
The frustration is building among prospective home buyers in Austin as inventory levels tighten and competition for single family homes intensifies. Austin’s growing housing shortage is starting to wear thin on the emotions of budding home owners. Austin is a Seller’s Market According to the Texas A&M Real Estate Center, a market with a balanced […]
Why You Need Your Own Agent When Buying a New Home
Several readers of our recent blog Pros and Cons of Buying New Construction in Austin have asked about the risks of buying a new home directly from the Builder/Developer. Apparently, many Austin home buyers are unaware of the disadvantages of buying through the “agent on duty” at the model home sales office. One reader in […]
6 Traits of a Remarkable Real Estate Agent
What traits do I look for in a great Austin real estate agent? How can I tell between a great real estate agent and the just run-of-the-mill? I’ll bet you have asked yourself those very same questions. #1: Listens More than They Speak A remarkable agent is a careful listener and a thoughtful questioner. The […]
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Home
Buying a home can be can be stressful, especially since you don’t know quite what to expect. To help you see past some of the unknowns, we’ve put together a list of 5 things most people wish they knew before buying their first home. 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Home […]
Buying After Bankruptcy, Short Sale, Foreclosure or Deed in Lieu
Updated: March 20, 2017 In the last decade, bankruptcies, short sales, foreclosures or deeds in lieu of foreclosure have sky-rocketed, prompting the question: How soon can someone who has experienced a bankruptcy, short sale, foreclosure or deed-in-lieu qualify for a new home loan? The answer depends on how the home was lost, what kind of […]
Tips for a Successful Relocation Experience
In this series, we’ve discussed issues related to the serious challenges of relocation. If you have not seen previous articles check out Tackling Your Home Search While Relocating, Overcoming the Distance Disadvantage and Rent vs Buy: How to Make the Decision When Relocating. Before you begin your home search, consider the following thoughts. Be Willing […]