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.

Historical Mortgage Rates in Austin

The chart below shows historical mortgage rates for 30 year fixed, 15 year fixed and 5 year ARM. If you're interested in getting a quote from a reputable and dependable lender with competitive rates, please let us know. Thinking of making a move? Visit RealtyAustin.com to view homes for sale and explore options for selling your home.

30-Year Fixed Historical Mortgage Rates

 

15-Year Fixed Historical Mortgage Rates

 

5/1 ARM Historical Mortgage Rates

Donate to Foundation Communities Holiday Assistance Program

Update - AMAZING! Together, we raised over $228,000 in holiday support for hundreds of Foundation Communities households!

With your support, Foundation Communities is able to:

  1. Provide gift cards to more than 575 Austin households at our 15 family communities in Austin so they can purchase gifts for their families, have a holiday meal, or cover basic expenses.
  2. Provide gift cards to nearly 700 households, gifts and treats to household with kids, and winter care kits to seniors at three North Texas communities.
  3. Provide gifts and meals to nearly 750 residents at seven Supportive Housing Communities for single adults in Austin, including older adults, veterans, people living with disabilities, former foster care youth, and working musicians.
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

As temperatures cool down and the leaves begin to fall, it’s important to get your home prepared for the cold winter months. Conducting routine maintenance can prevent irreversible damage and costly repairs in the future. Here are a few home maintenance to-dos that will have your home ready to take on the chilly season with no worries.

1. Check Smoke Detectors, Fire Extinguishers, and First Aid Kits

Make sure safety inside of the home is covered. Check the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms and change the batteries. Check that a ready-to-use fire extinguisher is in a safe, known location within the home along with a first aid kit in the case of emergency. 

2. Inspect Heating System

Change out heating filters and contact a professional to…

Fall Home Decor Trends

Cooler weather is in the air! That's right, it's time for pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween decorations, relaxing by the fireplace, wearing fall fashion, and seeing the trees change color. Even though the leaves don't change dramatically in Austin and there are still some hot days, that shouldn't stop you from getting into the fall spirit! Check out our list of fall home decoration trends, and turn your home into a fall oasis or a spooky sanctuary!



List of Fall Home Decor Trends:

  • Bring The Indoors Outdoors
  • Decorate The Fire Mantle
  • Farmhouse Feel
  • Flaunt Copper
  • Freshen Up Your Front Porch
  • Get Spooky
  • Pop In Some Plaid
  • Put Memories On Display
  • Seasonal Tableware
  • Spice Up Your Front Door

BRING THE INDOORS OUTDOORS

Crisp fall…

Exploring Austin's Best Neighborhoods

Check out any recent top cities list and you'll have no doubt that Austin is one of the hottest places to move in the country right now.  In fact, 110 people move to Austin every single day! Luckily, we have the hot real estate market to match, but with so many great neighborhoods to choose from, where do you begin? Austin neighborhoods range from charming, established neighborhoods to newer, up-and-coming neighborhoods you'll want to know about now.  We've rounded up some of the top and most popular places to live to help guide your home search. Here we profile 5 of the best. Stay tuned as we showcase even more hot Austin hoods!

 

Barton Hills

Those looking for an quiet, established neighborhood that's still conveniently central will love the Barton…

Essential Tips for First-Time Home Buyers in Austin

Making the move from renter to homeowner is a milestone in every persons life ranked somewhere between graduation and finding your true love. While the popularity of Austin continues to swell among millennials, the rental market is tightening for everyone. As the saying goes, "nothing worth having is easy" and our agents at Realty Austin appreciate what it takes for first time home buyers to succeed. Together with the knowledge from our seasoned agents, we have compiled the following proven strategies to make the dream of buying your first home a reality.

Based on the success shared by our agents, first time home buyers in Austin who take the following pieces of advice as fact, and not opinion, can benefit from avoiding costly mistakes competing for…

20 Easy Home Improvement Ideas

Have a little extra time on your hands? Now is the perfect time to work on those household projects you have been putting off! If you need some inspiration, check out our list of 20 easy home improvement ideas:



20 Easy Home Improvement Ideas



1. Clean out your closet and donate clothes you haven’t worn in at least 1 year
2. Organize your kitchen pantry and cabinets
3. Give your walls a new look with fresh paint
4. Remove popcorn ceiling
5. Brighten up your kitchen or living room by adding house plants
6. Create labels for all of your storage areas
7. Try out a new wallpaper
8. Update cabinet knobs and drawer handles with new stylish pieces
9. Organize your garage
10. Make an outdoor walkway by creating a stone path
11. Organize the toys in your kids’…

Explore Dripping Springs Neighborhoods

Considering making the move to Dripping Springs, Texas? If you want to experience the peaceful Hill Country lifestyle, have access to high-end amenities and be just a short drive from Austin employers and entertainment, Dripping Springs may be right for you. Read on to learn more about 5 of the best neighborhoods Dripping Springs has to offer.

 

Belterra


Conveniently located just 20 minutes away from downtown Austin off Highway 290, the community of Belterra sits just 7 miles past the Y at Oak Hill. Established in 2003, Belterra consists of 11 different sections, each with unique lot sizes and homes varying in age and style. In the heart of Belterra is Rooster Springs Elementary, part of the award-winning Dripping Springs ISD. Dripping Springs High…

The Best Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Austin

We can all agree that Austin is the best city in the world, offering many different activities and events for the perfect day trip, including a visit to a museum and cooling off in its natural swimming holes. Even though Austin is the best city to live in, sometimes we need to go on an adventure not too far away and discover new activities. There are so many places to experience and travel to outside of Austin, so let us make your decision easier and check out our list of day trips and weekend getaways!



Fun Day Trips and Weekend Getaways From Austin:

  • Admire Artwork at a Nearby Museum
  • BBQ in Lockhart
  • Discover Gruene, Texas
  • Drink New Beers at a Local Brewery
  • Drive Over to Magnolia Market
  • Explore Sea Animals
  • Glamping and More
  • Go-Kart…

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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