Seeking Insight for Austin, TX

[Shaun Malby]

Hello all,

My significant other and I are going to be moving to Austin in the coming months, she is moving in August and I am moving in March, and I am seeking some advise on investing in the Austin RE market. Here is a summary of my situation and what I need advice on:

I currently live in Orange County, CA and have watched the local market here for several years but it has never fallen to a range that seemed feasible for cash flow generation but now I am now going to be moving to Austin because my significant other is starting graduate school at UT. This has presented me with an opportunity to look at investing in a new market (I never liked the idea of investing in a market in which I am not residing) and one that seems more feasible in terms of cost.

My plan is to purchase a SFR or 1-4 multi and be an owner occupant / landlord for a minimum of three years while she is in graduate school. This is going to be a home where I am going to live but I have always thought of a house as a potential cash flow investment and so I will treat it as though I am paying myself rent, running the same metrics I would if I was renting to a third party. I am hunting for at least cash flow break even or very near break even (I have relative confidence in the market appreciating in Austin over the next several years).

I would love advice on location, good resources for rent comps, realtors, and inspection companies.

So far it seems like some of the more desirable yet moderately priced areas I have found are certain areas of East Austin, Southeast Austin, and around Lamar & Burnet in North Central Austin.

I really appreciate anyone taking the time to provide me any and all advice they think would be helpful in this endeavour. Thank you very much for your help!