New construction is one of those segments of the market that is very enticing for most people. Brand new, never lived in homes that you can design to your tastes are not something you can get in all parts of the country. So, when people relocate to a city where new construction is an option, […]
5 Essential Insider Tips For the Savvy Home Buyer
Home buying is a complex, legalistic endeavor complicated by emotions and uncertainty. As individuals, we get very little practice at buying a home and we seem to be plagued by the best intentions of family, friends and co-workers offering their sometimes unsolicited opinions. There is a lot to learn about home buying, and it’s not […]
Truths and Risks of Open Houses
For decades real estate agents have been holding public open houses to display homes listed for sale. The effectiveness of open houses as a marketing vehicle has been debated by agents and consumers almost interminably, however several points must be considered. Sellers should be informed about the truths and risks of open houses before they […]
30 Questions to Ask Before Buying an Austin Condo
Buying condos are a bit different than buying single family homes. With a condo, you own the walls in and the HOA owns and governs the structure and common grounds. Not understanding the rules, responsibilities and health of the condo’s HOA is the #1 reason people decide to sell their condos. We’ve found if condo […]
How to Succeed with Multiple Offers
Austin’s housing inventory is selling faster than the boom period of 2007. In June 2012, Austin had a 4.4 month supply of homes available for sale. Today (March 2016), at the current rate of sale Austin has only a 1.8 month supply. The surge in sales coupled with resurgent demand has re-introduced the phrase “multiple […]
7 Biggest Negotiating Mistakes Buyers Make
Negotiating the purchase of a home is much different than most other forms of negotiation. Negotiating business deals and employment contracts, but those types of situations lack a very important component that is found in most real estate transactions – pride of ownership. Every seller is proud of their home and every seller thinks their […]
5 Step Time Saving Systems to Make Your Home Search Efficient and Effective
Let’s face it, with family and work commitments we all have very limited time. Admittedly, home buying can be a pretty time consuming process if not handled efficiently. If you’ve been putting off your home search because you don’t have the time to devote to it, there is a better way. We have developed an […]
Pricing to Attract More Buyers – It’s About Value
Whether we are shopping for a new car, a refrigerator, a television, a laptop computer, a dress, a suit, or even a pair of shoes, we all comparison shop. In my experience, home buyers are among the most diligent comparison shoppers. They all want to see every house in the neighborhood before choosing. Your home […]
We’ve Never Had a Septic System Before
Last month I attended a septic inspection with my clients – first time buyers, new to Austin. While they had rented houses for years as they moved around attending to their careers, they never had the responsibility of maintaining a home. As I listened to the Inspector explain what he was doing and why, I […]
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 […]