How Austin Appraisers Choose Comps in a Buyer’s Market
Comp selection decides your appraised value. A walk through how Austin appraisers pick three closed sales, adjust for concessions, and…
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Mortgage Tips
142 articles
The FHA Self-Sufficiency Test: Why Austin Fourplexes Fail
FHA applies a self-sufficiency test to three and four unit homes, and most Austin fourplexes fail it. Here is the…
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How Austin Lenders Verify Your Liquid Assets Before Closing
Three ways Austin lenders verify the cash for your down payment, what a validated asset report changes, and the five…
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Waiving Escrow on an Austin Conventional Loan: What It Costs
Waiving escrow on a conventional loan sounds like free flexibility. Here is what Austin lenders charge for it, and the…
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Converting Your Austin Home to a Rental: The 2026 Rules
Fannie Mae changed its departing-residence rules on September 2, 2026. Here is how much rent a lender will actually count…
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The T-47 Affidavit: How Austin Buyers Avoid a New Survey
Most Austin buyers assume a new survey is mandatory. Paragraph 6C of the Texas contract and the T-47 affidavit often…
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Year One in an Austin Home: What First-Time Buyers Spend
The first year owning a home in Austin runs on a calendar nobody explains: the October tax bill, the escrow…
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Austin Affordability Improved: Should You Requalify in 2026?
Austin's starter-home income requirement fell 6.1 percent this year, the biggest drop of 50 metros. Here is the payment math…
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Down Payment Sourcing in Austin: How Lenders Trace Your Money
Having the cash is one thing. Proving where it came from is a separate underwriting step. Here is how Austin…
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Single-Premium vs. Monthly PMI in Austin: Which Costs Less
Three ways to pay for PMI on a conventional loan, compared on real Austin numbers: monthly, single premium at closing,…
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Offer Letter Mortgage in Austin: Buying Before You Start Work
Austin added 23,800 jobs last year. If you are moving here with a signed offer and no start date yet,…
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Buying a Home in Austin on Retirement Income in 2026
Retired and buying in Austin? Lenders qualify you on documented, continuing income. Here is how Social Security, pensions, and 401(k)…
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Buying a Home in Leander in 2026: Taxes, Escrow, and Commute
Leander ISD called a Nov. 3 tax election and the city held its rate flat. Here is what the 2026…
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Is It Worth Refinancing an Austin Mortgage From 2023 or 2024?
Freddie Mac put the 30-year average at 6.71% in September 2026. Whether refinancing your Austin mortgage pays off depends on…
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Your Austin Home Insurance Renewal Spiked: What to Do Next
Your rate never moved, but your payment did. How an Austin home insurance renewal hits your escrow account, and the…
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Seller Concessions in a Buyer’s Austin Market: What to Ask For
Austin sellers are conceding in 2026. Here are the caps by loan type, and what $10,000 buys as a price…
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Mistakes That Can Break Your Austin Mortgage Rate Lock
A rate lock can still be re-priced. Here is what breaks a mortgage rate lock between contract and closing in…
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VA Entitlement in Austin: Sell, Restore, or Buy With What’s Left
Already used your VA loan? Here is how entitlement restoration, bonus entitlement, and the subsequent-use funding fee work for Austin…
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What FHA Mortgage Insurance Really Costs in Austin (2026 Math)
FHA mortgage insurance in 2026 adds 1.75% upfront and about $184 a month on a median Austin home. Here is…
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