All Forum Posts by: Emily Ross

Looks like you have some good options for #1, so I'm moving on.

2. The best way to find homes for sale in Austin is going to be Realtor.com (or use a realtor to help you find off-market deals!). In true Texas form, a buyer is not required to disclose the purchase price to the government - meaning, the purchase price is not public record. This means, Zestimates and many other 3rd party syndicators are really inaccurate. So many times clients call me about a property they saw on Zillow only to be very disappointed to find it's been pending for DAYS or even WEEKS! Realtor.com is connected directly to the MLS and is the most accurate resource on the web, hands down. Redfin is also alright, if you want a more user-friendly site and their FSBO can be pretty good.

3. The Austin housing market has no outlook to really slow down in the sense of lower values. I believe when interest rates do eventually rise (as the fed keeps threatening) the competition will lessen and home sale volume in Austin will align more with the national statistics. However, I do not believe home prices will go down anytime soon. I focus on 78757 (zone 2) and I'm constantly astounded by how high the sales prices keep ascending. The job outlook in Austin is still insanely high, thousands of new jobs are still expected to be created over the next 12 months. That said, the closer to downtown you are, the better your investment. I'd also consider schools, since good school districts will always bring buyers (even slow ones) in a down economy.

Agree with @Hugh Ayles ! Work with some consultants to get an idea on tax liabilities. A lender might be able to help you out with some details on the financing of these homes.

In terms of the market, now would be a great time to introduce tiny houses to the Austin market because of how hot the market is right now. I've seen it done in a few other cities. Although the initial uptake is slow (I'd recommend budgeting in some advertising), it ends up being a really sustainable product if there's ways to build/park the tiny houses near entertainment districts (i.e. Rainey, downtown, S Congress, S Lamar, Domain, etc.). Especially if interest rates really do rise as they're expected to in the next few years, young professionals will be looking for a way to invest in their future with real estate but may not have the bandwidth to buy a house. Tiny houses would be a great alternative!

Cool, welcome! I just joined too and it's been a fun few hours. I'm actually from Phoenix and have a ton of family and friends still located in the Scottsdale area. If I know anyone wanting to make a move to the Goodyear area, I'll keep you in mind!

Thanks @JaNae Anderson and @Jim Sirokman :) 

@JaNae Anderson would love to send you some info. Just PM'd you (private message? still learning the lingo). :)

@Jim Sirokman great to hear from you as well! Round Rock and Leander are generally as far north as I go in the Austin metro, but I love that you're in Georgetown and Waco! What fun. Both such fun and booming cities. Let me know if I can help run any numbers or give you any advice about properties on the south end of your spectrum. :D

Cool. Where in CA?

Hey y'all,

One of my wonderful investor clients texted me the other day and told me I'd enjoy this site! So far so good... :)

I'm a residential real estate agent in Austin, focusing mainly on one to four family homes, condos, etc. for homestead and investment purposes. Being a realtor in Austin is far better than anywhere else I've had the pleasure to work (Arizona and California). The market is amazing, the people are amazing... it's just a great place to be!

For all my Austin folks out there... what's the craziest deal you've closed, and how did you win it? I'm talking, $20,000 over list price (or maybe under!), seller incentives, etc. I love how creative each person can get with a contract and a listing!

Great to meet everyone!