Why Buy a Home in Austin, and Why Now
Moving from a bigger city? Get more space and a lower cost of living without giving up city life. No state income tax, a growing tech and medical job market, and a music and food scene that punches well above its size. See the Moving to Austin relocation guide.
Renting in Austin? This is your window. Buyers have more homes to choose from and more negotiating power than they’ve had in years: price cuts, seller-paid closing costs, and no bidding wars. When demand comes back, that leverage goes back to sellers.
The thing I hear most from homeowners? “I wish I’d bought sooner.”
Work in Southwest Austin? Live in one side of a duplex, rent the other, and pay less than rent. See the Southwest Austin Buyer Guide.
Ready? Here’s the step-by-step process, from first showing to keys in hand. ↓
The Home Buying Process
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make, and I’m here to make it feel manageable at every step. Here’s what the process typically looks like when we work together.
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Your lender is one of the most important pieces of this process. Once they run your credit, they’ll tell you what purchase price range you qualify for, with or without conditions. If there are conditions, that usually means paying down some debt or bringing more money to the table for your down payment.
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Once we know your budget, we’ll work together to find a home you’re excited about and put it under contract.
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As soon as you’re under contract, you’ll pay two things: option money (typically $300-$1,000, depending on how competitive your offer needs to be) and earnest money (typically about 1% of the sale price), both held by a title company to keep everyone compliant with the contract. The option money ties to an option period, your due diligence window, usually 5-10 days (commonly 7, including the weekend). During this time you’ll hire an inspector to check the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, and cosmetic condition. If you move forward, both amounts roll into your down payment. If you terminate during the option period over a concern the seller won’t address (say, a foundation issue), you’ll lose the option money but get your earnest money back. You can also negotiate a repair or credit, or pay to extend the option period for more time.
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Your lender orders an appraisal, and the process differs by loan type: FHA tends to be stricter on condition and may require repairs before closing, while conventional is typically more lenient. Once the appraisal comes back at or above your purchase price, you can move forward with confidence.
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While the appraisal is finalized, you’ll provide updated bank statements and pay stubs to keep underwriting on track, and this is a good time to shop for homeowner’s insurance so it’s ready before closing.
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Once you’re cleared to close, we’ll schedule your closing date. You’ll sign around 100 pages of paperwork, including disclosures, the deed of trust, survey, and loan documents, then get your keys. And if you buy your home with me, you’ll walk away with a brand new TV.
First-Time Buyer Resources & Loan Options
If this is your first home purchase, Texas offers several down payment assistance programs, including options through the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC), the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), and City of Austin assistance programs. Program terms and available funds change often, so I’m happy to walk you through what you currently qualify for. Here’s a quick primer on the two most common loan types buyers use.
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FHA loans are popular with first-time buyers because of their lower down payment requirements. With a credit score of 580 or higher, you can put down as little as 3.5%. With a credit score below 580, a 10% down payment is required. One tradeoff to know about: mortgage insurance (MIP) works differently depending on your down payment. With 3.5% down, MIP stays for the life of the loan. With 10% down, MIP is removed after 11 years.
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Conventional loans typically require a credit score of 620 or higher, with down payment options usually starting around 5%, or 20% if you’d rather avoid mortgage insurance altogether. The advantage: private mortgage insurance (PMI) can be removed once you’ve built enough equity, often by ordering a new appraisal after a couple of years of on-time payments to show your home has appreciated enough to reach the required equity threshold.
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The best option depends on your credit profile, savings, and long-term plans. I work with trusted local lenders who can walk you through pre-approval and help you compare scenarios side by side, so you can move forward with confidence.
Why Buy With Kien
Buying a home in Austin means navigating a fast-moving, competitive market, and having someone in your corner who knows it well makes all the difference. I bring deep local market knowledge, strong negotiation on your behalf, and access to listings the moment they hit the market. From your first conversation to closing day, I’m focused on one thing: helping you make a confident, informed decision on one of the biggest purchases of your life.
Ready to Start Your Home Search?
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or ready to make your next move, I’m here to help you find the right home in Austin, on your terms and timeline.