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 […]
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!
Fixer Upper’s Lesson on Location
Despite the fact that I work in real estate every day, one of my favorite weekend activities is to binge on Fixer Upper. I can completely suspend reality and simply enjoy the beautiful transformations that Chip & Joanna create. The downside to the show is that many people don’t realize it’s produced television that has […]
What is Proper Etiquette for Looking at Houses in Austin?
If you’re new to house hunting, you may be wondering what the etiquette is for visiting a home for sale. In fact, we get this question a lot from first-time home buyers and experienced buyers alike; which makes sense since looking for a new home has evolved over the years. Years ago, homes for sale […]
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 […]
4 Misconceptions About Appraisals
One of the more puzzling pieces of the real estate process is actually part of the financing process: appraisals. Appraisals are without a doubt confusing, yet they are a key part of the mortgage loan underwriting process. As a home buyer, it’s important to have a basic understanding of their purpose and how they can […]
How to Effectively Negotiate Closing Costs in a Sellers Market
It’s no secret the Austin real estate market is booming. Buyers are having to make more concessions than sellers, and many buyers think sellers will make absolutely no concessions for them. In practice, it is not as one sided as you might think. Though we are still in a seller’s market, buyers are still able […]
How to Choose a Lender When Buying a Home
The best practice for choosing a lender when buying a home in Austin is a bit counterintuitive. Most buyers start their search by checking mortgage rates at different banks or lending institutions and choose the lender who posts the best rates online. Though rates are a piece of the puzzle (and a large piece considering […]
Should I Buy a Home with a Foundation Problem?
Foundation problems are not uncommon in Central Texas. Our clay soil expands or contracts as the moisture content in the soil changes throughout the year. The expansion and contraction of the soil can place disproportionate stresses on the foundation causing it settle. Settlement in one area may not be the same in other areas, thus […]
What to Expect at the Design Center
As we are starting to see builders go back to allowing buyers to pick a lot and build a home from scratch, I thought we should revisit this post describing the process of selecting finishes at the design center. When you buy a new home, there’s a lot of decisions to be made. While you […]
9 Questions You Must Ask Before You Purchase Waterfront Property
Austin’s river system is one of its most important natural beauties and greatest attractions. Owning waterfront property in Austin is a dream shared by many and it’s unique characteristics pose more potential traps than any other type or real estate. Whether you are looking to buy waterfront property on the Colorado River known around Austin […]