There’s no denying that Austin is in a red-hot housing market right now. The question on everyone’s mind as rent and home prices continue to rise is: should I rent or buy? Here are some key things to consider as you proceed with this decision. Down Payments One of the biggest arguments we hear from people wanting to buy is that they just can’t find the money for a down payment. Down payments...
For many homeowners, their kitchen is their pride and joy. But it can be daunting to keep track of your kitchen maintenance. With this checklist, you don’t need to worry about missing tasks or neglecting the heart of your home. It’s all right here. Refrigerator Cleanliness Take time to wipe the inside and outside, sweep under and around the exterior, clean the coils, and check the door...
Buying a home virtually is the new standard, thanks to the pandemic. Virtual and video tours replaced open houses, and buyers bought homes without viewing them in person. Here are two crucial tips to find your dream home virtually this year. Tip #1 to Finding Your Dream Home Virtually: Be Open-Minded Be realistic about your expectations for your future dream home and how it appears on a...
As a landlord and investor, you rely on your tenants to consistently pay you on time. It’s how you pay the bills, maintenance, repairs, etc. Creating a rule to implement late fees can be confusing regarding finer details like when the charge should take effect, how much to charge, and how long the grace period is. Keep reading because we’re going to answer those questions! What Are Late...
It's no secret that the Austin real estate market is more competitive than ever! If you’re in the market right now, you’ll need a few strategies to rise to the top of the pack when there are multiple offers. In a regular market, multiple offers sometimes happen, but in this market - it’s safe to call them all-out bidding wars! A bidding war occurs when potential buyers compete...
If buying a home is one of your goals this year, we’ll tell you how to go from renter to homeowner. We’ll cover the factors you should consider before saving for a down payment and buying a home. Factor #1: How Much to Save for a Down Payment? To buy a home and receive favorable financing, it’s best to put down a 20% down payment on the house you purchase. It helps reduce your loan...
The real estate market is changing as it adjusts to high demand with low levels of inventory. Here are the five real estate trends to expect this February. Hint: it’s not a slow season! Real Estate Trend #1. Decrease in housing affordability Mortgage rates are rising again and quicker than expected. According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are now at 3.56%, up from 3% just a few...
Bidding wars greatly influenced home prices last year. They typically happen when there’s a lack of inventory because multiple buyers want the same property, so they compete against each other by making more attractive bids, which drives up home prices. Bidding wars have continued throughout the pandemic and are predicted to continue in a post-pandemic market in 2022. Home prices are slowly coming down,...
We all know the pandemic has been described as an “unprecedented time,” but it also defined the real estate market last year. COVID’s impact wasn’t just on the economy or the health of Americans. It changed the real estate market too. Here are some of the real estate records broken in 2021. 30-year mortgage rate One real estate record that hasn't been broken since 2021 was the average rate...
Barton Creek is 5.4 square miles, an easy commute to downtown, and holds the honor of being one of Austin’s largest and oldest neighborhoods. This quiet and safe neighborhood features luxury homes with various architectural styles dating back to the beginning of the 20th Century. With multiple dining and nightlife options along the borders of this neighborhood, there is plenty to see and do! ...