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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First Time Home Buyer
18 articles
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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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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The 20% Down Payment Myth in Austin: What You Actually Need
You do not need 20% down to buy in Austin. Conventional starts at 3%, FHA at 3.5%, VA at 0%.…
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Buying a Home With Your Parents: How Co-Borrowers Work in Austin
Adding a parent to your mortgage can unlock a bigger approval, with real tradeoffs. How non-occupant co-borrowers, co-signers, and gifts…
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TSAHC Home Sweet Texas Home: Down Payment Help for Austin Buyers
The TSAHC Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program provides a 3% to 5% down payment grant for qualifying Austin buyers.…
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A First-Time Buyer Checklist for Austin in 2026
A step-by-step first-time buyer checklist for Austin in 2026, covering credit, down payment, pre-approval, offer strategy, and the path from…
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Renting vs. Buying in Austin in 2026: Running the Numbers
Should you rent or buy in Austin in 2026? We run the actual numbers on a $475,000 home purchase versus…
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Conventional 97 Loan in Texas: The 3% Down Option Buyers Miss
The Conventional 97 lets qualified Texas buyers purchase a home with just 3% down. Here's what it costs, who it's…
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Gift Funds for Your Texas Down Payment: What Lenders Require
A 2024 National Association of Realtors survey found that more than a quarter of first-time homebuyers received financial help from…
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Down Payment Realities at Every Price Tier in Travis County
According to the Texas Real Estate Research Center, the median home price in the Austin-Round Rock metro area hovered near…
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Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification in Austin: The Real Difference
Austin sellers and listing agents treat pre-qualification and pre-approval very differently. Here is what each one actually means and why…
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How Much Down Payment Do You Really Need? The Truth About the 20% Myth
Watch Transcript There is a number that has been hammered into the American home buying conversation for decades and it…
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TSAHC Down Payment Assistance in Texas: How Home Sweet Texas Home and Homes for Texas Heroes Work in 2026
Buying a home in Austin takes planning, and for many buyers the biggest hurdle is the down payment. Coming up…
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Prepare Financially for Homeownership in 5 Steps
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll make. The difference between a smooth, confident purchase…
Read article5 Hidden Costs of Buying a Home
You have found the right home, you know your down payment, and you have a rough sense of your monthly…
Read article5 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers in Austin
Buying your first home in Austin is exciting — and more than a little overwhelming. The Austin real estate market…
Read article5 Mistakes to Avoid as a First-Time Home Buyer
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make, and doing it well requires…
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