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The average Texas homebuyer looks a lot like their national counterpart: each is in their late 40s, with a median household income of more than $100,000. What sets Texas buyers apart? Texans love a new build with 33% of homebuyers in 2021 purchasing new homes, more than double the national rate of 15%. Texas homeowners also now spend an average of 7 years in their home before choosing to sell, down from almost 10 years in 2020 and a clear sign of the big profits that have been available to sellers, especially in the Austin market.

Who's buying all these homes? Here's a profile of the Texas homebuyer - Austin Business Journal What does the typical Texas homebuyer actually look like? And what are they looking for in a house?

When Moreland Properties Realtor Cory Laurel says that bidding over asking "is the only way to do it right now," you better believe it. In 2021, 60% of homes sold in the Austin metro area went for more than list price. Incredibly low inventory coupled with high demand means that once a home hits the market, there are plenty of buyers angling for a chance to purchase it. Going in with your best offer - likely well above list price - is the recommended course of action most of the time now.

60% of homes sold in Austin metro in 2021 went for more than list price - Austin Business Journal "After several weekends of going out, touring homes, identifying the right one to submit an offer on, they get discouraged," one agent said. "It’s not uncommon to have your offer rejected four or five weekends in a row."

Buying a home is expensive. Owning it free and clear is priceless. That's the reason it's absolutely essential to receive a warranty deed during the closing indicating that the seller is transferring its entire interest-free and clear of any outstanding debts, liens, mortgages, or other liabilities. Have more questions about what this all means? Contact us any time: ziptitleco.com

What Is A Warranty Deed? | Bankrate If you’re applying for a mortgage, your lender may require a warranty deed.

North Austin's hot housing market is attracting plenty of new developments, part of a trend towards increasing density and offering some relief from rapidly rising prices. Among the developments in the mix: EastVillage, a mixed-use, 425-acre project set to have up to 2,000 apartments and more than 450 single-family homes, and Uptown ATX, a $3 billion mixed-use development near the Domain. While we're still years away from everything being fully built, these developments will bring some much-needed housing (plus plenty of restaurants and shops) to one of Austin's fastest-growing areas.

North Austin housing about as hot as it gets - Austin Business Journal Housing prices are rising fast in North Austin — one ZIP code saw the median home price leap 54% year over year. Many developers are prioritizing density on this side of town.

First-time homebuyers in Austin, listen up! Twelve Rivers Realty agent Carlye Jane has identified five promising zip codes with listings near the Austin median. These "pocket neighborhoods” — smaller subdivisions with a mix of older and newly built houses — could be just the ticket for aspiring homeowners trying to break into this market. 🙏

5 hot Austin ZIP codes that open doors for first-time homebuyers Prospective homebuyers in the Austin area are facing an increasingly difficult hurdle. Austin-area houses hit a record median sales price of $476,000 in January, thanks in part to the expansion of major ...

If you haven't yet made Easter brunch plans, make a reservation at EBERLY. Try the pullman loaf french toast or hot chicken sandwich and any of their amazing cocktails. You can thank us later. 😉

It's practically a fact of homebuying that unexpected costs will inevitably pop up during the process. When budgeting for a home, be sure to have extra funds available to cover the various expenses, including inspections, title insurance, transaction fees, and surprise repairs, that seem to arise during every purchase. Have more questions about what to expect during the homebuying process? Contact us anytime. ziptitleco.com

10 Extra Homebuying Costs You’re Probably Forgetting About Buying a home is likely the most expensive purchase you and your family will make in a lifetime, with a few exceptions. Not only will you be forking out a sizeable amount of money for the down payment...

Travis County tops yet another list. This time for the most expensive median home listing prices in all of Texas. At $637,000 as of February 2022, the county's median listing price increased $200,000 compared to February 2018 figures. Travis County homeowners are sitting on some pretty valuable real estate, and prices are just going to continue going up for the foreseeable future.

How much do you need to buy a house in Travis County? The report, based on February 2022 real estate figures, reported the median home value listing in Travis County at $637,000 — up more than $200,000 compared to February 2018 figures.

In just two years, the number of Austin homes valued at more than $1 million tripled, more than any other Texas city and a new record for the metro area. $1M+ properties now represent 12.3% of all homes in the area, an astonishing figure and yet another sign that local homeowners have reaped quite the benefit from strong price appreciation over these last several years.

A record number of Austin homes are worth more than $1 million Incomes are rising, but not as quickly as home prices — leaving many people stuck as renters.

Considering it's the biggest purchase most people make in their lives, it's surprising that more than half of Americans know alarmingly little about the homebuying process according to a recent MoneyWise survey. The good news: there are more resources than ever before for buyers to turn to for guidance. Plus, we know a thing or two about the process and are always happy to answer questions. ziptitleco.com

How much do Americans know about buying a home? Over half of respondents to a MoneyWise survey flunked a quiz of common terms.

Debating whether to buy an existing house or a newly constructed one? The process can be quite different depending on which option you choose, with the biggest variable perhaps being timeline. Existing homes typically close within four to six weeks whereas a new house might take six to nine months - if not longer - before you can move in. Read more about the factors to consider when looking for your next home.

Factors to consider when choosing between buying an existing house or a newly constructed one There are several differences between purchasing an existing house and a newly constructed one. The first thing to consider: How long are you willing to wait?

Blame limited inventory and low mortgage rates - not wealthy out-of-towners - for surging home prices in Texas. That's the consensus from research conducted by the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University, which found "essentially no correlation between Texas' statewide home-price appreciation and migration patterns over the past 15 years." Might not be much consolation for homebuyers, but might make them think twice next time they meet someone who says they're from New York or California. 😉

People Moving to Texas Not the Main Source of Surging Home Prices: Researchers Newcomers moving to Texas may not be impacting home prices as much as you might think, according to information released from the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A & M looking at the profile of home buyers.

Areas like Dripping Springs, Spicewood, and Lakeway are not only beautiful, but they offer homebuyers excellent opportunities to find nice homes at a fraction of the price of Central Austin neighborhoods. Take agent Michael Reisor, Douglas Elliman Texas' clients, who purchased 8 acres of land in Spicewood with access to the lake, a boat slip, and panoramic views for $1.3 million. And with home values continuing to rises, getting in now at these price points could yield substantial upside down the road. 🙌

In Booming Austin, Texas, There Is Still Room for Upside in Key Areas Home buyers can find good value—and views—in Dripping Springs, Lakeway and Spicewood

Multiple offer situations are all too common here in Austin, so much so that it landed us no. 7 on Redfin's list of metro areas with the highest rates of bidding wars in real estate transactions. In January 2022, over 75% of offers on Austin-area homes were part of a bidding war, which means it's more important than ever to have the right team by your side. Reach out anytime to discuss our services: ziptitleco.com

Data: Austin among cities with the most bidding wars on homes A bidding war happens when multiple would-be buyers are interested in a property, so the parties put in increasingly high offers in an attempt to secure the purchase.

Some relief for Austin homebuyers after years of sticker shock. Austin home prices are expected to continue increasing this year, but likely not as fast as the past two years. Given the median home price in the Austin metro area shot up 30% in January, buyers could use all the slowdown they can get. Plus, some moderation in the pace of price appreciation is necessary to continue to support an influx of new residents and fuel long-term growth.

Experts: Austin home prices to keep rising in 2022, but at a slower pace The fundamentals of the local housing market aren't going to change anytime soon, but new factors in play could slow down price appreciation.

SXSW is back, and likely better than ever. Even without a badge, there's plenty to enjoy from parties to networking pop-ups to outdoor movie screenings. Click through to check out just some of the events happening around town.

Do SXSW 2022 like a local: A guide to free parties in Austin, no badge needed Check out our guide to badge-free events to find something that will give you the SXSW experience without all the money.

Wondering how the spring housing market will play out? This graph pretty much sums it up. Among the 327 housing markets tracked by Zillow, 254 have inventory levels that are down by more than 30%, meaning the housing market is even tighter now than it was last year. With mortgage rates rising and home prices continuing to go up, all signs indicate that buying a house isn't going to get easier anytime soon.

What to expect in the 2022 spring housing market, as told by 3 charts The spring housing market looks like it'll be ugly for would-be home buyers. Here's why.

You know Austin's luxury housing market is strong when more than half of the Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin have already been reserved just a couple months into the sale process. With prices starting at $4.1 million, this development is all the proof you need that Austin real estate has reached a whole new level. Exclusively represented by the group of Elite 25 Austin member Eric Moreland.

Buyers have dibs on more than half of Four Seasons luxury condos planned for Lake Austin The sales pace for the the Four Seasons residences is another sign of Austin's continued rising real estate market, including the high-end segment

What goes up must come down? Hasn't held true for Austin real estate. Median sale prices for the metro area surged 30% this January compared to the prior year, and 2021 marked the 11th straight year of all-time highs for home sales and median sales prices. While prices in Austin's housing market will eventually find a tipping point, the latest data proves we're not there yet.

No tipping point yet for Austin housing market, as home prices keep rising The median price for January was $476,000 for the five-county region, and $550,000 within Austin's city limits.

Texas has ranch land - and a whole lot of it, making it appealing to wealthy Austin newcomers eager to get a taste of authentic Texas life and to take advantage of rising prices. Just ask Austin agent Lander Peerman, whose luxury ranch listing last year attracted prospective buyers from out of state, many looking to “park money” in Texas’s ever-appreciating land market. Looks like Texas ranchers may start to look a lot different over these next couple of years...

Wealthy Austin newcomers eager to buy Texas ranch land - Austin Business Journal Weathered cowboys? More like wealthy Austin newcomers eager to buy land for personal playgrounds.

Need more proof Austin real estate can be a great investment? Last year, investors purchased about one-third of all the single-family houses sold in the metro area. A growing population + a growing economy means increasing home values, resulting in a good potential return for investors and individual homeowners alike.

Trying to buy a home in Austin? So are investors. According to data from the real estate firm CoreLogic, investors bought nearly a third of all the single-family homes sold in the Austin area in the first nine months of 2021.

When it comes to the future of Austin real estate, wide-open spaces on the city's outskirts are the new reality for many homebuyers. Just ask local blogger Jane Ko, who decided to build a semi-custom home on an empty lot near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Larger lots, more privacy, and the ability to customize have all led to a surge in demand for new builds in the suburbs around Austin.

Wide-open spaces: Austin homebuyers build their dream homes on empty lots out of town Austin homebuyers have been through the wringer in the past year—tales of offers well over asking price, sales in under an hour, and months-long supply chain shortages have become commonplace in the city's cutthroat housing market. So it's perhaps no surprise that many homebuyers are looking for g...

Austin has joined the big leagues for high-priced homes. Between 2020-2021, Austin experienced a 450% increase in $10+ million homes, placing it among the 30 highest-value markets in the U.S. Those types of properties have historically been concentrated along Lake Austin, but have now spread to areas like Downtown, Spanish Oaks, and the suburbs. With Austin's luxury market continuing to appreciate, the sky seems to be the limit.

Austin ranks among top luxury real estate markets with soaring 550% sales volume increase Shocker—Austin’s luxury real estate market is booming but after an especially fruitful year, the capital city is joining the big leagues for high-priced homes.According to a study comparing industry-wide sales activity done by real estate agency Compass, Austin saw a 450% increase in $10 million...

Closing costs - they're an inevitable part of home buying, especially if you're taking out a loan. While costs can vary quite a bit across lenders and based on your borrowing profile, this article does a great job listing out the various fees and the average amount you can expect to pay. More questions? Reach out anytime 👉 ziptitleco.com

Average closing costs in 2022 | Complete list of closing costs Complete guide to mortgage and refinance closing costs, including average closing costs and a full list of what's included in your fees.

Austin's residential real estate market may get most of the attention, but time to make way for our commercial success... we were recently ranked as the no. 1 market for commercial real estate investment in the U.S. this year. All those big companies that moved here these past few years? It may just be the tip of the iceberg.

Hot Austin market rises to No. 1 spot for commercial real estate investment in 2022 If a new ranking is accurate, Austin’s hot market for commercial real estate will continue to sizzle in 2022. The ranking, from Austin-based CrowdStreet, positions Austin as the country’s No. 1 ...

One potential perk of getting married: a better mortgage. 🙌 If one spouse owns a home before marriage but the other has good credit and a stable income, it could be worth refinancing to add the other spouse to the mortgage and title to secure a better rate. Results may vary depending on your circumstances, but definitely worth exploring for newlywed couples.

Say 'I Do' to Savings: Refinancing for the Recently Married After love and marriage, there comes a joint mortgage. If one spouse owned a home before "I do," refinancing could be the way to go.

Haven't made weekend plans yet with your valentine? No surprise to us that EBERLY topped this list of best date night restaurants in Austin. 😉 Whether stopping by for a late-night cocktail on the rooftop patio, a glass of wine at the historic Cedar Tavern bar, or a meal in the Instagram-worthy dining room, this is one spot that always pleases.

Romantic Restaurants in Austin: 10 Best Dinner Places for Date Night Valentine's Day or any other Date Night? - Check out this list of best local romantic restaurants in Austin!

"Don't California my Texas" takes on a whole new meaning when looking at the numbers... might be time to say "Don't Houston my San Antonio." Nearly 40% of people who moved to San Antonio in 2021 came from another Texas urban center, with Houstonians leading the way. San Antonio's expected to be one of the hottest markets this year, so we can only expect more Texans to make their way over to Alamo City.

'Don't Houston My San Antonio': the majority of outsiders buying houses here are from Texas The average price of a San Antonio home jumped 19% last year, according to a December report from the San Antonio Board of Realtors. But...

The mortgage process may seem overwhelming for first-time homebuyers, but meeting your loan’s requirements doesn't need to be. To ensure that potential buyers are eligible for a mortgage, lenders will look at your credit score, income, savings, debt, and documents among other factors spelled out in this article. Have more questions about the homebuying process? Reach out anytime 👉 ziptitleco.com.

Requirements to buy a house | 6 Rules for first-time buyers Requirements to buy a house aren't as strict as you might think. Requirements for credit, income, and down payment are lenient for first-time home buyers.

Austin's experiencing low temps, but our housing market is still heating up. Home prices jumped 31% last year and may keep rising as companies like Tesla and Amazon create new jobs here. Active listings might also increase as more and more homeowners decide to sell given the surging prices are pushing up property tax bills, according to Compass Realtor Lara Pavanelli. One thing's for sure - we're probably in for more surprises this year with Austin real estate.

Austin housing prices and sales hit record highs in December A total of $23B homes changed hand in the Texas capital, up 30 percent from 2020