The next 6 weeks presents a golden opportunity for those serious Austin home buyers looking for an advantage. While most people are busy planning, preparing and coping with the demands of the Holiday Season, determined home buyers can take advantage of other people’s pre-occupation. What are some of the advantages of buying a home during […]
What are the Average Property Taxes in Austin?
Buyers who want to budget their monthly housing payment frequently ask how much property taxes are in Austin. The short answer is property taxes vary based on several factors, so it is hard to say they are a certain percentage in the Austin metro area. School district, utility district, hospital districts and whether or not […]
Is the Austin Real Estate Market Slowing?
We’ve been seeing a lot of changes to the Austin housing market over the past 3 months. Interest rates that were promising to go up finally did. Central Texas county assessors increased assessed values more than they have in years past, drastically increasing property taxes. Homeowners insurance rates have also sharply increased. Combine those factors […]
Who Pays the Buyer’s Agent’s Commission in Austin?
It is a common myth among first time home buyers that they have to pay a buyer’s agent’s commission or that if they work with the listing agent, they will not have to pay a buyer’s agent’s commission. Here we’ll help explain how commissions work and answer the common question, who pays the buyer’s agent’s […]
What is a Seller Looking for in a Multiple Offer Situation?
As we head into the busy Spring home buying season in Austin, we’re starting to see more multiple offers. As the season progresses, I would expect to see more. Buyers who want to eliminate the frustration of losing a home to another buyer need a carefully thought out multiple offer strategy. To be successful, the […]
How Much are HOA Dues in Austin
HOA’s are becoming more and more popular in Austin. In the 1980s and 1990s, few new single family home developments belonged to mandatory HOA’s. Today, virtually every new development has a mandatory membership in an HOA. Which usually begs the question from most buyers, how much are HOA dues in Austin? HOA Dues Vary by […]
What to Expect at Closing
Closing is the last step in the Austin home buying process. It’s when you go to the title company to sign the papers and officially become the owner of your new home. If you’re looking to buy a house and are curious what to expect at closing, here’s a brief rundown. Prior to Closing A […]
When Should I Get Pre-Approved?
If you’re thinking about buying a home, there is a lot to do to get prepared. Studies show buyers are researching 12-18 months in advance of purchasing. With this much lead time, we often get the question … “When should I get pre-approved?” We advise our clients to use an experienced lender as a resource […]
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 […]
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 […]