So, it's important to keep the broader context in mind.If you're a buyer who isn't deterred by higher interest rates compared to recent years, then you'll find a significantly more favorable market in the Austin metro area that what you may have previously experienced.

Market appreciation is pretty much entirely out of your control, and is driven by (as the name implies) broader market forces.

If you are happy with 15%, then that makes for a broader range for you to peruse.

But mortgage rates fell in spite of these positive signs for our broader economy.

many lenders have their own approved list of vendors for environmental site assessments and their scopes of work may be broader than the simply Phase 1 ASTM (e.g. asbestos, lead, etc). so it would probably be better to wait until you select a lender so you dont have to pay for two phase 1 reports.

@Adriana Vergara Glad to help.SDIRAs are simply an IRA with a custodian that allows for a much broader range of investment opportunities (within the confines of IRS regulations, of course). 

My point though was broader. 

I'm a new investor and first home owner looking for a property at around 200-300k for studio/1bd or up to 400k for 2bd.My goal is to live in FL for at least 1 year (living in Miami already) and then rent the property out and have a decent return on it.I'm getting pre-approved and ideally would move in around August (tight timing, but I'm trying it).I've been doing a fair amount of research, but I'd be happy to find a good investor-friendly realtor that could walk me through the prospect of the investment and finding a good deal.I would love to share the process with the broader community!

But to your broader question, there's almost no time that is a bad time to buy real estate.

Their methods get a broader and broader instead of narrower.