Home Buyers

The real estate market may be showing signs of improvement for first-time homebuyers as 2026 begins, with experts pointing to stabilizing mortgage rates and increased housing inventory as positive factors. Home prices have changed drastically in recent years due to COVID-19 and other influences.  Full article here: First-time homebuyers see improved outlook for 2026 housing market  (512)...

A mortgage payment on a typical home is forecast to be affordable in 20 major metropolitan areas by the end of the year, the most since 2022. Trifecta of slow-growing prices, falling mortgage rates and rising incomes inform Zillow’s forecast.  Full article here: Typical Home Should be Affordable in 20 Major Markets by End of 2026, the Most Since 2022 (512) 853-0110...

  National Association of REALTORS® leaders voiced measured optimism that federal policymakers are taking meaningful steps to address the shortage of single-family homes for sale. Full article here: White House Focuses on Affordability, Homeownership (512) 853-0110 or robert@AustinTxHomeSales.com If you are unable to open the link/article above, please let me know so I can get it to you...

  If you've ever lived in a college town, you know they can be great places to get your start as a single person and to raise a family. But that's not all college towns have to offer folks. These places can be a great place for investors to find an income-generating property that can help pay for their bills or lower their financial stress. Austin is #3 on the list. Full article here: Realtors...

  When you see a house that’s been sitting on the market for a while, the reaction is almost automatic. You start thinking: What’s wrong with it? Why hasn’t anyone bought it yet? Am I missing something? That mindset made sense a few years ago. But in today’s market, you may actually miss out. Full article here: You May Not Want To Skip Over That House That’s Been Sitting on the...

  If you’re one of the thousands of homebuyers waiting for rates to fall, you should know it’s already happening. And they recently crossed an important milestone. Rates officially dipped their toes into the 5s – something that hasn’t happened in about 3 years. Full article here: Mortgage Rates Recently Hit a 3-Year Low. Here’s Why That’s Still a Big Deal. (512) 853-0110...

Below is a simple chart where a home buyer can determine how much mortgage payment they can afford.  Find the intersection of that number (the colored lines) and what the current interest rates are (at bottom of chart) and see how much home you can afford to purchase.  For example, using the current 30-year rate of 6.10% (as of 1/29/26) a home buyer who can afford $2,500/mo could afford to buy a...

  First-time buyers made up 21% of the market last year—an all-time low—and their average age climbed to a record 40. Historically, first-time buyers account for about 40% of home sales. So, could 2026 offer a brighter outlook and a smoother path to homeownership? Full article here: Could More First-time Buyers Make the Math Work in 2026? (512) 853-0110...

  For the first time in years, the price gap between newly built homes and existing homes is narrower than ever—and in some markets, the typical resale home is actually more expensive than a new build. A mix of builder price cuts, widespread incentives and smaller home sizes has brought new home pricing more in line with resale values, creating a potentially unusual buying window for prospective home...

  Would-be homebuyers aren’t sitting on the sidelines because they don’t want to buy. They’re sitting out because they think they can’t. And sometimes, it’s their credit score that’s holding them back. According to a Bankrate survey, 2 out of every 5 (42%) Americans believe you need excellent credit to qualify for a mortgage.  Full article here: The Credit Score Myth That’s Holding...