PMI Explained: What It Really Costs and When It Goes Away in Texas
PMI protects the lender when you put down less than 20 percent. Here is what it actually costs on a typical Austin home, and three ways to get rid of it sooner.
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Moving to Austin in 2026: What Out-of-State Buyers Are Surprised to Learn About Texas Real Estate
The data keeps showing it: people are still moving to Texas, and Austin remains one of the top destinations. A study published by SmartAsset in late April 2026 ranked Austin among the metros that have seen the fourth-largest home price decline in the country since 2025, with first-quarter 2026 metro median prices at approximately $415,300,…
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Title Insurance in Texas: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
When you are buying a home in Texas, you will see a line item on your Closing Disclosure called title insurance. For most buyers, it is one of those costs that gets accepted without much thought. You pay it, you move on. But understanding what title insurance actually does, and what happens if you do…
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Austin Real Estate Spring 2026: What the Numbers Actually Tell Buyers Right Now
If you have been watching the Austin market and trying to figure out whether this spring is a good time to buy, the data released this week gives you a clearer picture than the headlines often provide. Prices are not crashing. But the market has shifted, and buyers who understand what that shift means are…
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How HOA Fees Affect Your Mortgage Qualification in Texas
When buyers start calculating what they can afford, most think about the down payment, the loan amount, and the monthly mortgage payment. What often gets overlooked until it shows up in underwriting is the homeowners association fee. If you are buying in a planned community, a condo building, or a master-planned neighborhood in Texas, HOA…
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New Credit Score Models Are Changing Who Can Qualify for a Mortgage in Texas
If you have been told in the past that your credit score was not quite there for a mortgage, this week’s news is worth paying attention to. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) jointly announced that Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration are…
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What Happens Between Contract and Closing: A Step-by-Step Guide for Texas Buyers
You found the home, made the offer, and the seller said yes. Congratulations. Now comes the part that trips up a lot of first-time buyers: the stretch between signing the contract and sitting at the closing table. For most Texas buyers, that window runs 30 to 45 days, and a lot happens inside it. Knowing…
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Builder Confidence Falls to Seven-Month Low in April: What Texas Buyers Need to Know
If you have been watching the new construction market and wondering whether builders are feeling more or less confident heading into summer, the latest national data gives a clear answer: less. The National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for April 2026, released this week, showed builder confidence falling to its…
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Why the 740 Credit Score Threshold Changes Your Mortgage in Texas
If you have been working on your credit score and you are sitting at 738 or 739, there is one number worth understanding before you apply for a mortgage: 740. That single point difference is not just psychological. It represents a real pricing threshold in how lenders and investors price home loans, and it can…
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Texas Homebuilders Are Pivoting to Affordable Homes: What It Means for Buyers in 2026
If you have been watching the Texas new construction market and wondering whether the inventory of entry-level homes is finally improving, the answer is: yes, it is moving in that direction. A new report from the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University, released this spring, offers a detailed look at exactly how…
