HomeReady vs. Conventional 97 in Austin: Two Ways to Put 3% Down
Two conventional programs let Austin buyers put 3% down, but they fit different situations. Compare HomeReady and Conventional 97 on income limits, PMI, and monthly cost.
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Mortgage Austin Journal
Smart, straight answers for Austin buyers & homeowners
Rates, programs, and local market moves, explained without the jargon.
Gift Money for a Down Payment: 7 Mistakes Austin Buyers Make
Family gift money can cover part or all of an Austin down payment. These seven documentation and timing mistakes are…
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Under Contract in Austin: The 30-Day Path from Offer to Keys
From executed contract to keys in hand: the option period, appraisal, underwriting, and closing deadlines that shape a 30-day Austin…
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ARM vs. Fixed in Austin in 2026: Who Should Even Consider an ARM?
Adjustable-rate mortgages are back on Austin buyers' radar. Here is a plain-language framework for deciding whether an ARM or a…
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Flood Insurance in Austin: What It Adds to Your Payment
A buyer falls for a house near Onion Creek, then learns it sits in Zone AE. What flood insurance costs…
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Austin Mortgage Pre-Approval Checklist: What to Have Ready
A practical mortgage pre-approval checklist for Austin buyers: the documents lenders want, credit prep, budget math at current rates, and…
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Selling an Inherited House in Austin: What Probate Actually Requires
When a homeowner dies in Texas, the house does not quietly pass to the family. It enters a legal process…
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Refinancing in Austin: 7 Questions Homeowners Ask First
Seven questions Austin homeowners ask before refinancing: what it costs, when the math works, Texas cash-out rules, PMI removal, and…
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House Hacking Myths Austin Buyers Should Stop Believing
You do not need an investor loan or 25 percent down to buy a duplex in Austin. Six house hacking…
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VA Loan Funding Fee in Austin: The Math Veterans Should See
The VA funding fee is the one big upfront cost on a VA loan. Here is the 2026 fee table,…
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TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes: DPA for Austin Teachers and Nurses
TSAHC's Homes for Texas Heroes program covers up to 5% of your loan amount for down payment and closing costs.…
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How to Get Rid of PMI in Austin: Every Removal Path in 2026
PMI does not have to last the life of your loan. Here are the four removal paths Austin homeowners can…
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Sold Your Old House? A Recast Can Shrink Your New Austin Payment
Sold your old house after buying the new one? A mortgage recast applies that lump sum to your loan and…
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What First-Time Austin Buyers Get Wrong Before the First Tour
The most expensive first-time buyer mistakes in Austin happen before the first tour. The pre-approval, debt, and budget missteps that…
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Assumable Mortgages in Austin: Taking Over a Seller’s Lower Rate
FHA and VA loans in Austin can be assumed by qualified buyers, rate and all. How assumptions work, the equity…
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Doctor Loans for Austin Medical Residents: The Fine Print
What doctor loans offer Austin medical residents, where the fine print costs you each month, and when a Conventional 97…
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Mortgage Broker vs. Bank in Austin: Which Gets You a Lower Rate?
A broker shops many wholesale lenders while a bank prices from one rate sheet. How that difference plays out in…
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How Much House Can You Afford in Austin in 2026?
Your Austin buying power depends on debt-to-income, not just salary. See what income affords a median home, price ranges by…
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FHA Loans in Austin: Who They’re Actually For in 2026
FHA lets you buy with 3.5% down and a 580 score, but the insurance can last the life of the…
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