It’s a fair question and one that’s running through a lot of buyer’s heads. Is it worth using a buyer’s agent when purchasing a home or should I just go through the listing agent? Though there is no law that says you must use a buyer’s agent to represent you when purchasing a home, here […]
Buying a Home in Austin
Considering buying a home in Austin? Check out our home buyer tips, multiple offer strategies, how-to guides, home buyer mistakes and more in our Austin Home Buyer Blog.
Don't miss our Austin Home Buyer section, our Austin Neighborhood Guides and our Guide to Relocating to Austin for more insider home buying tips!
Understanding Home Warranty Coverage
Home Warranty policies are contractual guarantees to repair or replace certain systems and/or components that malfunction within the time limits set forth in the contract with the payment of a premium and deductible. Essentially, home warranty protection programs are insurance against the limited risk of loss due to the malfunction or breakdown of specifically described […]
Truth About Buying Short Sales
In our previous post, we discussed the truth about selling short sales. Now, let’s take a look at the challenges facing the short sale buyer. Buy a Short Sale for Instant Equity? There’s a common misconception that a person can buy a short sale using the “ELF” formula. That is, make money the “Easy, Lucrative […]
Will an Early Mortgage Pre-Approval Hurt My Credit Score
Many Austin home buyers are afraid of getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan too early for fear it will hurt their credit score. Are these fears unfounded? The short answer is yes. Getting Pre-Approved Does Not Hurt Your Credit Score Getting pre-approved should be the first step in the home buying process and should come […]
What Do the Letters After a Realtor’s Name Mean?
Letters, we got letters. In its ongoing effort to foster professionalization within the real estate brokerage industry, the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) has developed a series of specialized training programs for its members. Members successfully completing a specific program may then use an acronym designation to identify their specialized training. NAR offers training programs […]
Why Hire a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)?
Buying or selling a home is one of life’s most crucial decisions. In what can be a confusing, overwhelming and sometimes difficult process, it pays to use a professionally trained, residential specialist to help you get the most out of your investment. Someone who understands the complexities of the Austin housing market, how to best […]
What Incentive Does a Buyer’s Agent Have to Negotiate a Lower Price for a Buyer?
Since the Buyer’s Agent is paid a percentage of the sales price – a higher selling price means more commission for the agent – why would the agent work to get a buyer the lowest price possible? What incentive does a buyer’s agent have to negotiate a lower price? Good Buyer’s Agents Don’t Focus on […]
6 Unbreakable Rules of Buying a Home You Might Need to Sell Soon
As compared to other asset categories, real estate is an illiquid, long term asset. It will generally take a longer period of time to convert the value of real estate into cash than, for example, gold, silver, stocks, bonds, or fine art. Buying a home when you first relocate to Austin, or when you might […]
What Can a Buyer Expect to Learn from Seller Disclosure
Disclosure is the law in most residential real estate transactions, but there are nuances that every informed Austin home buyer should know. In Texas, the Seller’s Disclosure Notice applies only to sellers of property comprising “not more than one dwelling unit.” Prudent home buyers should not expect every matter of personal importance to be made […]
What Do Property Status Letters Mean in Austin MLS
Recently, we got a question from a client asking about the letters next to property status and what they mean. To us, it’s something we see everyday so we never though to explain it. However, to someone who is not involved with buying and selling Austin homes everyday, it might be a bit confusing. What […]