Safe and affordable housing is essential for every community, and affordability is a major issue facing renters and potential homebuyers across the country. When you start your home search, you may find yourself wondering how much you can afford and if there are any helpful programs that put the path to homeownership closer in reach. We’re here to help you understand San Antonio and Texas affordable housing programs and resources, so keep reading. 

In San Antonio, the rise in home prices with the median household income coupled with rising mortgage rates (and therefore higher monthly payments), has hurt purchase affordability.

“There is a reason people come to San Antonio, and we feel like the most popular reason is you can still find a house and…

Safe and affordable housing is essential for every community, and affordability is a major issue facing renters and potential homebuyers across the country. When you start your home search, you may find yourself wondering how much you can afford and if there are any helpful programs that put the path to homeownership closer in reach. We’re here to help you understand Austin and Texas affordable housing programs and resources, so keep reading.

In Austin, the rise in home prices is outpacing income, according to a recent housing affordability outlook report by researchers at Texas A&M University’s Texas Real Estate Research Center. Factors like median household income and median home sale price coupled with rising mortgage rates (and therefore higher…

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…

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…

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…

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…

When the bluebonnets begin to appear, that’s your cue that it’s time to start your San Antonio spring cleaning and home maintenance. Many checklists offer the basics of how to clean your space from top to bottom, but what works for homeowners in Central Texas isn’t the same as in other states. Here in San Antonio, we don’t need to get de-icing salts off of our cars or property, and it’s warm enough for us to get outside and tackle projects in the yard. 

And then there’s the sneezing. As the San Antonio pollen count goes up, it’s important to add things to your checklist that will make your space more comfortable as well as clean. Here are some of our best spring cleaning tips that are specific to the area we call home. 

Change Out Your Filters and…

What Are New Build Homes?
In a hot real estate market, new homes compete with already available homes for buyers’ attention. New build homes, also known as new construction homes, are houses that will be lived in for the first time by the people who purchase them.

This could happen when someone buys a plot of land and hires a team to construct a personalized home, or it could be part of a new neighborhood development. There are also different levels of customization to keep in mind, and as a general rule, the more say a buyer has in the process, the more it will cost. 

Benefits of a New Build Home 

New construction homes are made to comply with the latest building codes and regulations, and they will need less maintenance than older homes because…

What Are New Build Homes?

In a hot real estate market, new homes compete with already available homes for buyers’ attention. New build homes, also known as new construction homes, are houses that will be lived in for the first time by the people who purchase them.

This could happen when someone buys a plot of land and hires a team to construct a personalized home, or it could be part of a new neighborhood development. There are also different levels of customization to keep in mind, and as a general rule, the more say a buyer has in the process, the more it will cost. 

Benefits of a New Build Home 

New construction homes are made to comply with the latest building codes and regulations, and they will need less maintenance than older homes because…