Explore Austin

Explore Austin's local lifestyle, culture and real estate. Be in the know with local guides, things to do, best places to eat and more.

Understanding Mortgage Financing Options

The traditional fixed-rate mortgage isn’t the only home loan option available to people looking to buy a home in Austin. In fact, there are many types of home loans in Texas. We spoke to a few financial experts about the differences between fixed vs. adjustable rate mortgages, as well as a variety of creative ways to finance a home. Keep reading for more insight. 

What are the different types of home loans?

When it comes time to start your home search, you'll want to know the best financing option for you so you know how much home you can afford before beginning your search. Finding a home is exciting, and the process of deciding on what loan type to get or what company to go with can go much smoother if you’ve done some research. 

There are a few…

Midyear Housing Market Update

Housing markets across the nation are experiencing a transition back toward the range of pre-pandemic levels for buyer demand and home sales. This transition is not a bad thing. The pandemic years were not sustainable. 

You may be wondering if now is a good time to act. As Central Texas' #1 independent brokerage, we obsess over keeping our clients informed. This is why we analyze the data, speak with experts, and curate content answering your most pressing questions. Keep reading as we break down mid-year projections and share what we are seeing in our local residential real estate market.

The San Antonio Board of REALTOR®’s June market report shows the following:

  • New listings increased 21% to 5,399 listings compared to June 2021 and increased 16%…
How to Price Your Home Correctly

If you’re a homeowner in Austin thinking about selling your home, you should make sure you’ve got a solid game plan to get the results you want. Selling your home isn’t as simple as putting a price on it and watching the bids roll in, and you can’t just price your home based on what homes in your area are selling for. Keep reading as we break down how to price your home and the importance of pricing correctly.

 

What’s my home worth?

When you start to think about selling your home, current market values can be challenging to pinpoint. Popping the question into your favorite search engine will provide you with a good starting point: home valuation tools. 

 

These tools, like this one offered by Realty Austin Compass, are one way to begin to get an…

Things to Do in August

Fitness in the Park

Every Friday in August

Start your Friday mornings with movement and mindfulness at Zilker Park during the Fitness in the Park Summer Series with Habitat. Held every Friday at 7 a.m. through August 29, this free wellness event features a 45-minute all-levels yoga flow followed by a refreshing cold plunge in Barton Springs. Bring your mat, towel, and water, and enjoy the peaceful setting of one of Austin’s most iconic parks. It is a rejuvenating way to connect with nature, community, and yourself before the day begins.

 

Blues on the Green

August 5 & 6

Blues on the Green returns to Zilker Park on August 5 and 6 for another unforgettable summer celebration. Hosted by Waterloo Media, this free concert series is one of Austin’s…

Everything You Need to Know About Locking in Your Mortgage Rate

Mortgage interest rates have undergone dramatic changes in 2022, and they can even change multiple times a day, sometimes rising and falling. It is important to understand how a mortgage rate lock can protect you from the time you apply for your loan and the time you close on your home. It’s essential for potential buyers to be aware of everything that impacts the total cost of your loan—including interest rates.

A mortgage rate lock guarantees the rate on your mortgage stays the same from the time you are first quoted a rate to the time you close. With inflation, rising home costs, and rate changes by the Federal Reserve, mortgage interest rates have been rising and changing by the day. In a shifting market, the best thing you can do is be informed…

Is San Antonio’s Housing Market Cooling?

Over the past two years, home price appreciation increased rapidly due to an influx of buyer demand, artificially low interest rates, and historically low inventory. Years of underbuilding combined with sellers who held off on listing their homes due to the pandemic (or out of fear they wouldn’t have a home to move to) amplified these conditions. 

This level of record-high demand and record-low supply wasn’t sustainable. 

Now, the rapid increases in mortgage interest rates are cooling demand. The San Antonio housing market is moderating from a strong seller’s market to one that is more balanced.  

The San Antonio Board of REALTOR®’s May market report shows that the San Antonio market is shifting back to the market pace seen in the years leading up…

Is Austin’s Housing Market Resetting?

Over the past two years, home price appreciation soared due to an influx of buyer demand, artificially low interest rates, and historically low inventory. Years of underbuilding combined with sellers who held off on listing their homes due to the pandemic (or out of fear they wouldn’t have a home to move to) amplified these conditions. 

This level of record-high demand and record-low supply wasn’t sustainable. 

Now, the rapid increases in mortgage interest rates are cooling demand. The Austin housing market is quickly moderating from a red hot seller’s market to one that is more balanced.  

The Austin Board of REALTORS® May Housing Report shows that the Austin market is shifting back to the market pace seen in the years leading up to the…

Is It Better For Me to Rent or Buy?

The American dream is intricately woven with the idea of buying a home, but the decision between renting and buying is one that is deeply individual. In Austin, like in many other cities, this decision is influenced by a myriad of factors, such as rising rents, climbing home prices, fluctuating interest rates, and the impact of inflation on the housing market. To make an informed choice that aligns with your unique circumstances, it is crucial to gain insights into both renting and buying options.

 

Renting in Austin

For many residents in Austin, the upfront costs associated with homeownership can be a significant roadblock on the path to buying a home. Price increases can make buying a home seem like an unattainable dream for some individuals or…

Things to Do in July in Austin

Waitress

June 11 - July 27

Featuring original music by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles, this heartfelt musical follows Jenna, a small-town waitress and expert pie maker who finds herself at a crossroads after an unexpected pregnancy. With the help of her co-workers, loyal customers, and a surprising new connection, Jenna begins to rediscover her strength and reimagine her future. Packed with warmth, humor, and unforgettable songs, Waitress is a moving story about love, resilience, and choosing your own recipe for happiness.

 

Star Spangled Fest

July 3

Start your day by the lake with live house music from local DJs, craft coffee, refreshing drinks, and bites from favorite food trucks. Later, enjoy yard games, a kids' zone, and plenty of space to relax…

Relocation Guide

If you are considering a move to the San Antonio area, we have a free 68 page San Antonio Relocation Guide that is an invaluable resource. This comprehensive guide has information on Major Employers, Public Schools and Ratings, Private Schools, Pre-Schools and Day Care Centers, Colleges and Universities, Places of Worship, Healthcare Providers and many others.

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