Austin Offers Fabulous Possibilities

Amazingly, Austin, even with its low cost of living, has a varied and diverse cultural society, and a strong influence of music and Art. It is this that makes it one of the most desirable cities to live in. It is the fourth largest city in the state of Texas and the eleventh largest city in the US. Currently, Austin has a population of almost 2 million people.

Austin boasts many different home types and styles, all in different topographical surrounding. Homes sit on cliffs overlooking Lake Austin or sit in the heart of downtown in a simple yet stylish high-rise condo. Of course, you may prefer a quaint bungalow on the outer limits of the city, a ranch or a sprawling suburban contemporary home that sits in one of Austin’s suburban neighborhoods.

Why Austin

Wherever you live within the Austin area you are sure to enjoy interacting with neighbors that come from a diverse background; those that are artists, professors, students, tech gurus, and a variety of other people. In fact, Austin was voted as America´s number one College Town by the Travel Channel, yet it is also home to some of the most important technology enterprises in the nation, rightfully earning its name as Silicon Hills.

Neighborhoods

There are more than a few Austin neighborhoods that exemplify the meaning of “weird but interesting” a term Austin is known for. Downtown is diverse, and boasts homes that are gorgeous, eclectic and, yes even luxurious.  The blending of Austin’s different living possibilities  makes real estate in this area one of the most sought after investment opportunities in the state.

The Bouldin Creek Area

This has recently become a trending area to live, yet it still retains its artistic feel and a reflection of its colorful history. This history offers colorful attractions like Mexican bakeries, tattoo parlors, cafes and art galleries; it is these that give Bouldin Creek its ethnic flavor.

Hyde Park

This is an area that offers a historic ambiance. It is here that you’ll find residents lounging on porches and drink lemonade on their turn of the century wrap around porch homes. Tree lined streets offer protection to both businesses and residents of the area. This is area that sits on the Northern edge of the city is full of Victorian mansions, where now, some have been turned into apartments or beautiful Bed & Breakfasts. Today Hyde Park retains its architectural charm it began with more than a hundred years ago.

The Austin Real Estate Market

These are but a few of the nicer neighborhoods in the Austin area, where homes are selling at a faster rate than in other parts of the country. Despite the slow national real estate market growth, the Austin Board of Realtors has conducted studies on the home market for this area and found that home sales have risen 8 percent as of June of last year. On average homes were on the market for about 43 days, a number that is about 16 days fewer than last year.

Find Affordable Austin Real Estate

The desire to keep up with the neighbors is universal, at least it is in my community. We see someone with a new car, a bigger TV, better home, and we wish we had those things. It is this financial envy that gets people into debt and even into bankruptcy or home foreclosure. US News Money offers a simple solution.  Change your priorities.

There are two key learning aspects here: First, frugality requires you to come to terms with what you have and evaluate the things you can afford…and be happy with that. So you should only buy a home you can afford, one you will be happy in, but not necessarily a home that is as large as that of your neighbors. Second, comparing yourself to others doesn’t bring anything positive to your life. If you must compare yourself then compare your life to those that are less well off than you. This will give you a sense of appreciation for what you do have. 

How Do I Choose Austin Real Estate I Can Afford?

Actually, according to Austin Business Journal, Austin real estate is already really affordable, coming in second, next to Dallas as being the most affordable in the state.

Still there are a few things you can do to ensure you really find that Austin home you can afford. 

      1- Save up

If you have a larger down payment you have room to negotiate on the Austin property you want. Sellers are more likely to take you seriously, and mortgage lenders can offer you better deals. 

2- Clean Up Your Credit

A few months before looking at homes, you want to check your credit. Make sure your score is as high as you can get it. Do this by paying off as much debt as you can. Keep one or two credit cards on hand, use these but pay them off on a monthly basis.

 

       3- Specify Your Needs to Your Austin Real Estate Broker

Make sure you explain to your broker exactly what you are looking for. Give her the exact budget you have to work with, and explain that you are most concerned with affordability. 

      4-   Get a Mortgage Pre-approval

If you shop for your mortgage first, before looking at homes, you know exactly how much of a home you can afford. You also have a specific budget and your real estate agent can help you find the home of your dreams faster. 

In the End

Finding the perfect home is about planning, timing and sticking to your budget. You want a home you can enjoy, not one you have to struggle to find the monthly payment for.

Take on the Austin's Home Inspector's Role when Shopping for the Right property

People shopping for Austin homes have different priorities when shopping for a home. Some folks think school districts are important, others like a particular neighborhood. Some even drive street-by-street checking off possible home options. Others base their shopping decision on price and lot size. Regardless of the type of  home shopper you are, you should always take a second look, as savvy buyers know that finding that great bargain depends on your ability to develop as keen as eye as any expert home inspector. The following are points to look out for when looking at homes.

Water Damage

This could be the most damaging of any needed repair work. Water damage to an Austin home could be the initial cause of foundation problems, mold and rot issues. When looking at homes, inspect the walls, foundation and roof areas for discoloration and possible water damage.

Grade Sloping

Look for poor drainage which leads toward the home, instead of away from it. Drainage that leads toward the house can cause water damage to crawlspaces, walls and the foundation. It could also cause cracking and foundation movement.

Roof Aging

If you've ever seen an Austin home inspector at his job you’ll notice that he or she spends a lot of time looking upward. There is good reason for this, as an older home could have roofing issues. An older home may have roofing issues as materials are only made to last about 15 to 30 years. Look for corner staining or roof peeling as this could indicate damage and the need for extensive roof repair, which could be expensive. Look for cupping or blistered shingles or exposed matrix (the stuff used to adhere the shingles), as an indication of needed repair work.

Bottom Line

It’s important you have an Austin home inspected before you make a final decision. But even before you get to this point you should always bring a critical eye to any prospective home. Be sure to keep an eye out for damage, even before calling an inspector in to check the home. This can help you avoid unexpected expensive repair work.