Are people smarter today about buying a home than they were 10 years ago? Maybe a better question is: are prospective home buyers maximizing the benefits of new technology and the abundance of online information available today? People Are Busy It seems that the ability to be smart when you buy a house has vastly […]
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.
Don't miss our Austin Home Buyer section, our Austin Neighborhood Guides and our Guide to Relocating to Austin for more insider home buying tips!
When Interest Rates are Low, Buyers Can Afford More
The traditional 30-year fixed interest rate loan in Austin has dropped from near 4.0% to about 3.22% over the past year. The mortgage interest rate drops mean greater buyer purchasing power – much greater than a decrease in home prices. With the same monthly payment, buyers can borrow more money today than they could one […]
Austin Green Homes – Fad or Necessity?
We hear about the Green Movement, the Green Initiative, Green Homes, ……… but what does it all mean on a practical level? The simple truth is that conservation makes good sense; being a good steward of the environment has been an acknowledged goal by many societies throughout history. Waste – the profligate squandering of resources […]
Buy Again 1 Day After Bankruptcy Foreclosure or Short Sale
So you lost your home in bankruptcy, foreclosure, short sale or just gave it back to the lender using a deed in lieu, and you think you can’t buy a home again? Well, like ESPN’s Game Day co-host Lee Corso is known to say: “not so fast, my friend.” The prospect of buying a home […]
How to Buy After Foreclosure or Short Sale
If you lost your home through foreclosure or was sold as a short Sale in 2009 or earlier, it may be time for you to re-enter the market now that the waiting period has elapsed. In Texas the waiting period is 3 years after a short sale or foreclosure to qualify for an FHA mortgage […]
When Does Trading Up Make Sense?
Over the years, we have developed a check list for Austin home owners to help decide whether trading up to a more expensive home or move to a more desirable neighborhood makes good sense. Answering “yes” to most of the following questions may be indicative that moving is the right next step for you. #1: […]
FHA Announces Fee Increases – Buy Before 2013 and Save
Mortgage insurance is required on all FHA insured home loans and is one of the most popular loan programs for Austin home buyers. FHA requires two mortgage insurance premiums, upfront mortgage insurance equal to 1.75% of the total loan amount (this portion can be financed) and annual mortgage insurance added to your monthly payment. How […]
Working with the Seller’s Agent? Consider This!
If the Austin real estate agent you are working with does not represent you, they represents the other party. The terms “working through” and “working with” do not have the same meaning as “working for.” Many Austin home buyers wrongly assume that working with an agent means the agent is working for them – protecting […]
Austin’s Housing Crunch – Home Buyers Feel the Pinch
The frustration is building among prospective home buyers in Austin as inventory levels tighten and competition for single family homes intensifies. Austin’s growing housing shortage is starting to wear thin on the emotions of budding home owners. Austin is a Seller’s Market According to the Texas A&M Real Estate Center, a market with a balanced […]
6 Traits of a Remarkable Real Estate Agent
What traits do I look for in a great Austin real estate agent? How can I tell between a great real estate agent and the just run-of-the-mill? I’ll bet you have asked yourself those very same questions. #1: Listens More than They Speak A remarkable agent is a careful listener and a thoughtful questioner. The […]