If buying a home is a New Year’s resolution for you in 2022, then you’re going to need a good credit score if you want to get the best interest rate for a mortgage. Most finance experts say a score of 600 or higher is a good number. But to get excellent interest rates, a score of over 700 is recommended. You can check your score through your online banking platform or request a free credit report at...
CBRE surveyed commercial real estate agents to find the top market for commercial real estate investing, and Austin came in at number one. Here are the reasons why Austin ranked so highly for the sixth year in a row. 1. Exploding Growth Austin is snowballing, and the real estate market reflects that with its low inventory and high home prices. In October, the median home price for the...
The State of Texas passed new legislation, so there’s a new and exciting update to homestead exemptions in Texas! We’ll cover what you need to know about the new legislation and what it means for you and the real estate market. What Is A Homestead Exemption? A homestead exemption lowers a homeowner’s property tax by removing part of the home’s value from the taxation. The home’s...
Whether you’re thinking of selling before the year is over or at the start of the year, who you choose as your listing agent is crucial for your home’s success. Here are some qualities and questions you should ask potential listing agents before choosing one to sign a contract with. How Will the Listing Agent Price Your Home? Pricing is a huge part of how quickly your home will sell. If you...
Cooler weather has finally arrived in Central Texas! Do you know what that means? It’s time to perform fall home maintenance to keep your home in tip-top shape. Save yourself time and money by tackling these fall home projects this weekend! Regular home maintenance is essential in preserving the major systems within your home, and it may also reduce homeowner costs along the way. 1. Clean the...
The Leander and Austin real estate market is not at pre-pandemic levels, but it is softening. We’re still in a seller’s market as there is little housing inventory yet high demand. But recently, we’re seeing houses stay on the market longer, fewer bidding wars, and even price reductions in Leander and Austin! That would have been unheard of only a few months ago. Typically August and September are...
Whether you’re buying or selling a home, a home warranty needs to be covered by the closing costs. But what is a home warranty? Who covers it? And do you need it? We’re about to give you the answer! What is a home warranty? A home warranty is a contract that protects your home’s appliances and systems like plumbing, electrical, HVAC, refrigerator and freezer, washer and dryer, and oven and...
In this competitive and intense seller’s market, a strategy called pocket listing has become quite popular. Pocket listing, also called off-MLS listings, means the property is not made available to the public because it is not posted on the local multiple listing service (MLS). Typically when a property is listed on MLS, it’s automatically shared with other agents and listing sites like Redfin,...
Leander is constantly growing and it’s not stopping anytime soon! In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau names Leander the Nation’s Fastest-Growing Large City. So if you’re thinking about moving to our wonderful city, we’re going to give you some tips to make the move smoother and more successful! 1. Try It Before You Buy It Moving to the city first and renting before making a permanent...
A new year is an exciting time for new opportunities and goals! And if deciding to be a homeowner is one you’re curious about, ask yourself these questions before deciding to make it a tangible goal. Do I have enough for a 20% down payment? While 20% isn’t necessary to buy a house since a loan will require less than that, it is nice because it saves you money in the long run. If you don’t...