Austin home buyers sometimes ask if they are able to do repairs on a home before closing. This usually comes up with houses that don’t qualify for financing (homes with no stove, no heater, missing toilets, etc). For the purposes of the question allow me to greatly oversimplify. The answer is “No” even if the […]
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.
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Why Do Buyers Need a New Survey?
Those of you relocating from other parts of the country – particularly from California like we did – are generally unfamiliar with the idea of getting a survey before purchasing a home in Austin. Buyers often ask: Why do buyers need a new survey? Well, here’s why. What is the Purpose of a Survey? A […]
What is the Termination Option?
The process of buying a home in Austin is a bit different than buying a home in other parts of the country. In most states, the purchase contract gives the buyer a free look at the property and allows them to cancel the contract for any reason during a negotiated period of time. If the […]
Top 20 Questions to Ask Before Buying New Construction
Buying new construction can be a very appealing option for many Austin home buyers. Selecting your finishes, paint colors, tile, flooring and floorplan means you probably won’t have to make any changes to the house before moving in. If you’re enticed by the thought of living in a home no one has lived in, we […]
How Do I Find My Mailbox and Keys?
Finding your mailbox and how to get access to the mailbox is not the most self explanatory thing in Austin. When we bought our first home in Austin, we had no idea how to get our mail. If you’re one of the lucky homeowners who have a mailbox at the edge of their driveway, this […]
Buying REOs (Foreclosures) – Fact vs Fiction
Foreclosures have presented a lure of a deal for years as the real estate market has had its ups and downs. Over the past few months, we’ve been hearing a lot of buyers with some incorrect ideas about how buying foreclosures in Austin works. Here are some foreclosure buying facts and fiction to help set […]
Your Best Austin Staycation
Austin is known for being a great city for residents and tourists alike. So if you don’t have a tropical vacation planned this summer, take a look at our recommendations for your best Austin staycation! Adults Only Stay. Kimpton Hotels has long been known as a fun and friendly boutique offering. Their Austin outpost, the […]
When It Comes to Home Buying, My Dad Had The Best Negotiation Advice
Best Negotiation Advice While haggling may be commonplace around the world, save for country fairs, open markets and occasional trips abroad, it is a skill not commonly utilized by Americans. While it is true that during those trips to the Moroccan souk, we gleefully delight in bringing the cost of an item down to half […]
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 […]
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 […]