Those of you relocating to Austin from other parts of the country might not be familiar with the idea of getting a property survey as part of your purchase documentation. Invariably, usually because of the cost, the question arises whether or not you really need a survey when you buy a home in Austin? The […]
Buyer Beware!
What should buyers be aware of during their home search? Any land mines they should watch out for? Find out some of our best buyer cautionary tips on our Buyer Beware Blog.
Don't miss our Austin Home Buyer section and our Buying a Home in Austin Blog for more insider home buying tips!
Can a Buyer Do Repairs on a Home Before Closing?
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 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 […]
What is a Pocket Listing and Who Benefits?
What is a pocket listing? “Pocket Listing” is the colloquial term for any active listing that is not entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). In Austin, Texas, it’s called Austin Central Texas Realty Information Service (ACTRIS). The listing agent markets the property directly to the public circumventing the MLS and keeps the listing “in […]
The Dirt on Dirt in Austin – How to Protect Your Home
Austin is different. One major difference between where you are moving from and here is our local soil composition. Right now some of you might be thinking “who cares about dirt?” Well, if you are considering buying a home in Austin, you should know how soil conditions may affect your future home. Here’s the quick […]
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 […]
5 Advantages & Disadvantages of Buying New Construction
Prospective home buyers in the Austin area have the choice whether to buy new construction or a resale. This post addresses the advantages and disadvantages of buying a newly constructed home from builder/developer. First, however, let me offer what I know is the soundest piece of advice about buying into a new sub-division: Discover the […]
Pros and Cons of Buying New Construction in Austin
Austin Realtors are often asked should we buy a pre-owned home (resale) or a brand new never lived-in home from a builder. Naturally, there are compelling reasons for and against each option. Let’s take a closer look at some of the pros and cons of buying new construction in Austin. Pros of New Construction It […]
Why Our Buyer Clients Never Experience Buyer’s Remorse
Buyer’s remorse is a nasty condition and one that nearly 80% of buyers experience. If you’ve been there, you know it poisons almost everything about the house you thought you loved. The good news is buyer’s remorse can be avoided (and is with 99% of our buyer clients) with the right preparation and consideration. What […]