Frequently Asked Questions
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What items come with the property?
The general rule is, “If it has to be removed with a tool, it stays.” However, some items are specifically included in the contract. The drapes, window treatments, & any pool equipment automatically stay. The refrigerator & washer/dryer do not come with the house unless written in the contract. The stove, dishwasher, & any attached microwave or vent hood will stay, along with all light fixtures. If you have a question about a specific item, please don’t hesitate to ask!
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How do we determine what to offer on a property?
To determine Fair Market Value, we will run a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) on the property. This shows you what comparable properties in the same or similar neighborhoods have sold for recently, so tells you what the property is worth. After we have that information, we will determine what to offer based on the time the property has been on the market, if they’ve made recent price reductions, whether it’s vacant or occupied, & whether or not there are other offers on the property.
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What is an appraisal & how does it affect me?
Your lender will require that an appraisal is performed to verify that your purchase price is the Fair Market Value of the property. The appraisal is usually performed after we’ve had the property inspected, costs roughly $500, and is paid for at closing. The appraiser will use the same process we did when we ran a Comparative Market Analysis, so we very rarely have appraisal issues. If, however, the property doesn’t appraise for value, you have the option to terminate the contract. In many instances, we will try to renegotiate the price of the property to the appraised value. Sometimes, we get a bad appraiser (we’ve had an appraiser sent from Waco to Austin before) and we contest the value in that case.
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When is the best time to buy?
In general, there is more inventory to choose from in the spring & summer, but there is more competition. During the fall & winter, prices are generally lower, but there is less inventory to choose from.
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What happens if there is more than one offer on a home?
There are no laws governing multiple offer situations, but there is an industry-standard: Typically, the listing agent will notify all parties that there are multiple offers on the property and will ask for each buyer's "highest & best offer" by a certain time & date. We won't know what others are offering and they won't know what we're offering. You will want to put together your highest offer price & we will tighten up the offer terms to make the offer as attractive as possible, without compromising your protection. We have negotiated hundreds of multiple offers and have a strong track record of winning contracts for buyers.
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Should I get pre-approved for a mortgage?
While it’s not necessary to begin casually looking online, it’s definitely a good idea to get pre-approved before you begin physically looking at properties. Read more about pre-approval here.
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How long does it take to buy a property?
The searching process varies from buyer to buyer, but it takes 30-45 days to close on your property after you’ve gone under contract. Read more about the buying process here.
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How much are closing costs?
Most of your closing costs will be connected with your loan & pre-paid escrow charges (property taxes, insurance, & interest.) In general, closing costs are in the 1% to 2% range, but they do vary based on the type of loan you choose. This is one of the many reasons we recommend getting pre-approved early in the process. If you’re a cash buyer, closing costs are minimal; Generally less than $1000.
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Are schools important for resale?
It depends on the market. In the suburbs, where buyers value schools highly, school ratings are very important for resale. In central Austin neighborhoods, where schools have been poorly rated for years, school ratings don’t affect resale because the buyers for these homes don’t typically care about school ratings. If you do care about schools, GreatSchools.org is an excellent resource.
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Should I get a home inspection?
Absolutely! Your home inspector will go through the property with a fine tooth comb and tell you exactly what condition it’s in. You will find out if there are any repairs that need to be made immediately & what repairs you can expect in the future. Your inspector will check all major & minor systems: Foundation, plumbing, electrical, roof, HVAC, water heater, appliances, windows, structural integrity, & more. While not required by a lender, we do recommend getting a termite inspection at this time. While the price will vary based on the size of your home, the inspection is in the $500 range (and is paid at the time of inspection.) After we’ve reviewed the inspection, we will typically ask for the seller to make reasonable repairs or for a repair credit.
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Are the sellers required to make repairs?
Sellers aren’t required to make any repairs, but reasonable sellers will agree to a reasonable repairs request or a credit for repairs. It’s important to view repairs in context. If you’re purchasing a newer home, you would expect it to be in near new condition. If you’re purchasing a 50-year-old home, you would expect it to be safe & functional, but not to be new.
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When and how much money do I need in order to make an offer & purchase a property?
It doesn’t cost anything to make an offer on a property, but you need to be prepared to write a check for the earnest money & option fee. The earnest money deposit is usually 1% of the purchase price and the option fee will be dependent upon the sales price (usually $200-$500.)
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What condition will the sellers leave the home in?
Unfortunately, the standard contract is pretty fuzzy on this topic. Generally, sellers will have the property “broom clean” at closing. If it’s important to you that the property be professionally cleaned prior to closing, we can add that to special provisions.
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What is a Home Warranty? Do I need one?
In most transactions, a seller will credit you $400-$500 for a residential service contract (a home warranty.) If the property has a pool, they will credit you $700-$800, so that you get the additional pool coverage. A home warranty picks up what your homeowner's insurance policy doesn't cover. An insurance policy typically has a 1% deductible, so won't cover small items like a stove, dishwasher, or air conditioner. A home warranty does cover these items, and typically with a deductible in the $50-$75 range. Home warranties are great to have, but they're a hassle to deal with, should you call in a claim. They typically send a repairman out within 2 days, which can be a long time if your A/C goes out in the middle of August. Like any insurance or warranty company, they tend to try and cover as little as possible. So, when you Google different companies, you usually find bad reviews on all of them. If, after researching the home warranty, you prefer not to ask for one, we can always ask for a seller credit to your closing costs in the same amount a warranty would have cost ($400-$500.)
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What is a Buyer's Representation Agreement? Do I have to sign one?
A “Buyer’s Rep Agreement” is the agreement between you and your agent that you’re working together in a certain area, for a certain period of time. These are required, due to the NAR Settlement of 2024, but they’ve been a good idea that many agents and buyers use for a long time. The Texas Asociation of REALTORs provides a promulgated form and we have our own form that we use that we’re happy to provide you at any time.
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Buyer Resources
First Time Home Buyers
Click HereRelocating To Austin?
Click Here- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contract to Close
- The Buying Process
- The Mortgage Process
- The Seasonality of the Market
- Why Bramlett Residential?
- Is Austin Real Estate Overpriced?
- Why did the Austin Real Estate Market Boom?
- What Happens to Austin Real Estate in a Downturn?
- Contract Considerations When in Multiple Offers
- Texas Escalation Clauses & Austin Real Estate
- Common Repairs Found During Inspections
- Moving to Austin: Housing Guide
- New Home Warranties: Potential Problems
