Buying a home is one of the most significant investments you’ll likely make in your lifetime. It can be exciting, nerve-racking, and—for first-time buyers especially—a bit overwhelming. One key step in the home-buying process that often sparks questions is the home inspection. Is it really necessary to attend the inspection, especially when you’ll receive a […]
Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home in Austin (November 2023)?
With the news of higher interest rates, the market slowing, price reductions and overall public sentiment about home buying, buyers are asking themselves is now a good time to buy a home in Austin? If you’ve been following our Austin real estate price reports, you’ll see we analyze the market every month and make a […]
Does the Seller Have to Give a Buyer a Counter Offer
If you’re an Austin home seller, understanding your responsibilities and options during the negotiation process is crucial. A common question sellers ask is, “Do I have to give a buyer a counter offer?” The simple answer is no. Sellers are not obligated to respond to a buyer’s offer, even if it’s a low ball one. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
How to Determine Whether it is a Seller’s Market or Buyer’s Market
We often hear the term seller’s market or buyer’s market but it may not always be clear how agents determine what type of market we are currently experiencing. Here, we’ll show you how to determine whether it is a seller’s market or buyer’s market and what metrics agents use to distinguish between the two types […]
Advantages of Buying a Home During the Holidays
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 […]