The Best Time to Buy a House on the Austin Market: A Detailed Guide

Our team of tax certificates specialists knows that buying a home is probably the biggest financial decision you will make in your life. And it is natural to ask: is it a good time to buy a home with the 2023 prices being so high? Will we be hit by another real estate crisis?

These are valid questions for anyone about to enter into a 30-year mortgage loan agreement. 

This is why we decided to prepare this comprehensive guide answering your number one question: is 2023 a good year to buy a house or for selling a home in Austin? First-time buyers, keep reading and find out what you need to know as we assist by explaining the housing market conditions in simple terms you can understand!

Is It a Good/Bad Time to Buy a House?

Knowing the right time to buy a house is essential. As you know, market conditions determine both the price to buy a home and the conditions set by mortgage lenders. And one of the best sources of information in this respect is the Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI).

At present, there is a slight increase in the number of people who believe that 2023 is good for buying a home in Texas, from 20% to 33%. Likewise, the number of people who feel that this is a bad time to purchase a house dropped from 79% to 77%.

The numbers may not appear very encouraging, but they show a positive sentiment after a long period of turmoil in the housing market, fuelled by an unusually low housing availability and a spike in home prices.

Thus, while the conditions are not ideal, they are significantly improved compared to the last year in the Texas housing market.

What Is Happening with Mortgage Rates in 2023?

If you consider any real estate transaction for buying a home in 2023 in Texas, your first thought is whether you will qualify for a mortgage loan. Here is a short overview of the recent developments in 2023:

• In January, mortgage rates dropped to the lower 6% range – but were still higher compared to the previous year
• In February, the rates remained within the 6% range but started increasing towards the end of the month
• In March, there was a slight decrease in the rates, but they remained above the 6% mark
• In April, mortgage rates continued to increase, reaching the mid-6% level
• In May we experienced a slight decrease, but then a bounce back to the mid-6% level.

As far as making a mortgage rates 2023 prediction for the rest of the year, we can expect the same trend, with slight decreases and increases from month to month.

Don’t forget that, before you secure a loan, you should obtain a lien release tracking for any property you wish to buy. It is your best protection against entering into a long-term loan for a property with serious problems, such as:

• Unrecorded liens
• Unpaid taxes
• Permit violations.

Our team of experienced tax certificate specialists will help you obtain this important document quickly and for an affordable fee.

What Are the Best Mortgage Lenders for First-Time Buyers in Texas?

If you contemplate the best time to buy a house as a first-time property buyer, you are probably a young professional, still building their credit score. In the current market conditions, you will get the best rates with a credit score of at least 740. You can still get a fair deal if your credit score is in the 600s. However, if your score is within the 500 range, you will find yourself with few options and very high mortgage rates.

Talking about the best mortgage lenders for first-time buyers in Texas, other buyers managed to secure loans from:

• NBKC – for a minimum credit score of 620 and a 3% down payment
• New American Funding – for a minimum credit score of 580 and a 5% down payment
• Rocket Mortgage – for a minimum credit score of 620 and a 3% down payment.

Texas Housing Market Overview for Home Buyers

Texas is the second most populated state in the United States. The big cities became huge business hubs for tech companies, and this led to a sharp increase in house pricing. It also generates a sharp discrepancy in prices between big cities and smaller ones. 

For instance, the average house price in Austin is $540,000, while in Amarillo it is a mere $207.500.

However, the Texas housing market is still more buyer friendly compared to other states. For instance, the national median sale price for a house in Q3 2022 was $370,700. During the same period, the median sale price in Texas was $345,000.

Still, with a rather reduced housing inventory available, the housing market in the Lone Star state is still a sellers’ territory. In the end, your due diligence will help you decide: is it a bad time to buy a house or not?

We also recommend you to read our guide to Austin Real Estate Market, which offers useful details on buying a home in Texas, including:

• Real estate trends in the best counties
• Median home prices in Austin
• Reasons to buy a home in Austin
• Predictions for the future of the housing market.

What Is the Best Month to Buy a House in Austin?

Each season brings a change in the home buying-selling dynamic. So, when is the right time to buy a house? Our guide explains what you need to know:

Spring

This is the season when most property owners are selling a home in Austin, but also the period when most buyers are active. It is understandable, as most families prefer to buy a new house after the end of their children’s school year.

The good weather will make house tours more pleasant and allow you to observe all indoor and outdoor details more closely. However, you need to move fast, as you are facing a lot of competition.

Summer

If you wait until the end of the summer, you will notice Austin home prices flattening – a great moment for shopping for a house. The offer is not as varied as during the spring, but you will be able to find your dream home.

Fall

If you are on a tight budget, fall is the right time to buy a home in Austin. This is the moment when property owners are keen on making the sale and moving on with their plans. You will also face less competition from other potential buyers. Families with children will usually secure a new home before the start of the school year. 

With a good real estate agent, who is experienced in negotiating, you can get a really good price, less than what you were expecting to pay. From our point of view, this is the best moment for first-time buyers.

Winter

Winter is not the best time to buy a house. The cold season may prevent you from doing a complete walkthrough of the property. Also, sellers will hold back, waiting for the spring. Thus, this is the time of the year with the lowest house inventory on the market.

Tips for Buying a Home in Texas

For Austin home buyers, picking the right moment and the right lender are essential steps toward securing their dream of living in their own homes. But there are several factors at play, which will influence the outcome of your pursuit.

First of all, the golden rule is to save as much money as you can. With a significant down payment available, you will increase your chances of getting a good mortgage rate.

Secondly, do your due diligence and investigate the property you wish to purchase. Lien certificates and tax certificates are the best tools to do that. Our specialists know countless situations when the dream home turned into a nightmare for first-time buyers, for various reasons, such as:

• Title litigations
• Undisclosed liens
• Undisclosed building code violations
• Clerical errors in a document
• Fraud.

For an affordable fee, you can get the complete picture concerning the history of the property. Thus, you can continue the process of buying a home in Texas with peace of mind that, once the transaction is completed, you are the true, undisputed owner of a house free of debts and various legal problems.

Did You Find the Best Time to Buy a House in Texas? We Will Find Its Tax Certificates!

CertSimple USA is a family-owned company, specializing in finding tax certificates and other relevant certificates needed in real estate transactions. We know that the right time to buy a house depends on your financial position and also on the eligibility of a property to be sold.

You should not rely solely on your real estate agents. They will do their diligenc but do not have the expertise and access to resources that we do. Our sole job is locating these tax and lien documents, and we dedicate our entire time and effort to this purpose.

For more information visit our offices in Dallas, TX, Austin, TX, and Houston, TX.  We have partners and resources to help you along your journey.   

Do not make the most important financial decision in your life without knowing that you are getting exactly what you pay for. Call us now to start inquiring about  property tax and municipal lien certificates: 800-806-3639!