Every residential real estate transaction is negotiable in varying degrees relative to the local housing market conditions. While it is true that the homeowner sets the asking price, it is the home buyer that truly determines the home’s value. Why? Because a home is only worth what a ready, willing and financially able buyer will […]
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 […]
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 […]
14 Things that Will Definitely Happen if You Put Off Your Home Search Until Spring
I know this is not the time of year most people think about buying a home. We are all distracted with the Holidays coming up, family obligations, travel and wrapping up 2017. But, if you’re looking to buy a home in Austin, putting off your home search until Spring may not be the best decision […]
8 Insider Home Buying Tips for Austin’s Hot Summer Market
Spring is in our rear view mirror, and Summer is almost here; so is our peak home buying season. Austin’s 2017 Summer housing market is heating up faster than the temperatures. If you’ve been looking for a home long, you’ve likely seen multiple offers on some of the homes you’ve liked. And, you may have […]
Strategies for Buying a Home in a Seller’s Market
As we head into the busy season, we’re expecting this summer to be incredibly competitive in the Austin real estate market. Last year it was not uncommon to see multiple offers or homes sell for over list price in hours. With this amount of competition for desirable homes, Austin home buyers need to be strategic […]
5 Keys to Buying in Austin’s Strong Seller’s Market
As a home buyer in today’s Austin housing market, you’re undoubtedly at your wit’s end trying to find your dream home. Even when you do find a home you love, you’re competing with all cash offers and bidding wars driving the sales price above what it’s listed for and many times, even above what the […]
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 […]
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 […]
6 Ways to Get Your Offer Accepted in a Competitive Market
Even in this holiday season, Austin’s housing market is still very active. A spiking increase in population coupled with a strong job market and low interest rates is making home buying very, very competitive. The best homes sell quickly and sometimes with multiple offers. So, just how does a serious home buyer stand out from […]