Key Takeaways A rate quote at pre-approval reflects current market pricing and your stated profile, not a binding commitment. Your rate is not protected until you formally lock it, which requires an active purchase contract and complete application. Lock periods typically run 30 to 45 days on purchase transactions; longer locks carry a premium. Credit…
Key Takeaways An ARM starts with a fixed rate for 5, 7, or 10 years, then adjusts annually based on SOFR plus a margin. In 2026, the spread between 5/1 ARM rates and 30-year fixed rates in Austin averages 0.50 to 0.75 percentage points. Rate caps limit each adjustment (typically 2 percent) and total lifetime…
The Closing Disclosure looks like the final word on your transaction. Some line items can still shift between issuance and closing day. Here’s what Austin buyers should watch for.
Freddie Mac put the 30-year fixed at 6.51% for the week ending May 21, 2026. Here’s what that number means for Austin buyers trying to budget, qualify, and decide when to lock.
Austin now has 16,400 active home listings. Here is what that number means for buyers, sellers, and mortgage strategy in Central Texas in May 2026.
Title, escrow, and closing each play a different role in a Texas transaction. Here is a plain-language breakdown of who does what and when in the Austin area.
The closing disclosure you receive in Texas can still change before you sign. Several items shift between issuance and closing day, and most buyers do not know to check.
Austin’s May 2026 housing market shows 16,426 active listings, a 24.2% activity index, and a median price of $460,000. Here is what that data means for buyers shopping now.
With spring storm season underway and 16,400 active listings in the Austin metro, knowing a property’s FEMA flood zone before you make an offer protects your budget and your mortgage qualification.
In Texas, title, escrow, and closing are three distinct phases of a home sale, each handled by different people for different purposes. Here is what each one does and what you can expect to pay.