Where is the Austin market headed?

[Shil Shirol]

I am looking to close on my first rental duplex in the austin area. Its slightly under the 1% (0.84%) rule from a rental income POV however one of the units has a long term disabled tenant and is in pretty bad shape. Is it a good idea to buy this property now with interest rates starting to rise and affordability at an all time low in Austin?

[Dan Burstain]

Every economist studying Austin and putting out reports says Buy Now!  Prices will be going up.  Yes, in 5 years we may dip back a year or two's worth of appreciation but the bounce right back higher.  Either way, I don't believe prices will be this low again, especially with interest rates slowly climbing.  And for those people who say never buy under the 1% rule, you lost out on a lot of money here in Austin.  We are gaining 140 people a day, office space availability is the only thing limiting us at this point.  2.1 months of inventory and it is much less than that for homes under $250K.  Now is the time to buy.