Buying a home in Austin

How does buying a home in Austin work?

Buying a home in Austin takes seven steps: a conversation about what you want, a loan pre-approval, tours, an offer, the option period and inspection, the appraisal and final loan approval, and closing at a title company. With Leah, one person handles all seven.

1. A conversation. What you need, where, when, and what you want to spend. Leah will tell you what that buys in each area right now, and whether an area you have in mind is the right fit.
2. Pre-approval. A lender confirms what you can borrow before you tour. Sellers here expect a pre-approval letter with an offer. Leah can introduce local lenders who close on time.
3. Tours. Leah sets up showings around your schedule, including video walk-throughs if you are out of state, and tells you what a home is really worth against the ones that sold nearby.
4. The offer. Price, earnest money, the option fee and period, financing terms and the closing date, on the Texas promulgated contract. Leah writes it and negotiates it.
5. Option period and inspection. A short window, agreed in the contract, to inspect the home and either renegotiate repairs, renegotiate price, or walk away with your earnest money.
6. Appraisal and loan approval. The lender orders the appraisal and issues final approval. Leah manages the deadlines so nothing lapses.
7. Closing. You sign at the title company, the loan funds, and you get the keys. Leah is there.

What does a buyer's agent do?

A buyer's agent represents you, not the seller. Leah finds and shows homes, tells you what a home is worth against recent sales, writes and negotiates the offer, manages the option period, inspection, appraisal and lender deadlines, and gets you to closing. She stays in every step herself rather than handing you to an assistant.

How much does a buyer's agent cost in Austin?

There is no set fee. Commissions in Texas are negotiated, and a common range in Austin is 2.5 to 3 percent of the sale price for the buyer's agent, agreed separately from the listing agent's side. How Leah is paid is agreed with you in writing before you tour homes; that has been the rule for REALTORS® since 2024. The fee is often paid by the seller as part of the negotiation, and can be paid by you at closing. On new construction the builder usually pays it. Leah goes over the numbers plainly before anything is signed, so there are no surprises later.

How do I choose a buyer's agent in Austin?

• Check the license on the Texas Real Estate Commission website. Leah's is #636066.
• Read the reviews on Zillow and Google, and notice whether they describe the agent or a team.
• Interview two or three agents about the specific neighborhoods and price range you are in.
• Ask how they price a home against recent sales, and how they handle the option period and repairs.
• Ask who you will actually deal with day to day. With Leah, it is Leah.
• Get the agreement in writing before you tour.

What should I have ready before I tour?

• A pre-approval letter from a lender, or proof of funds if you are paying cash.
• Your must-haves and your nice-to-haves, kept separate. Every home is a trade-off.
• Your timeline: a lease ending, a job start, a school year.
• The areas you are drawn to, and the reasons, so Leah can show you the ones you have not heard of yet.

Relocating to Austin?

Relocations are a large part of Leah's work. She will walk you through the areas by phone or video before you visit, line up tours for the days you are in town, and handle the option period, inspection and closing while you are still out of state. She grew up here, so the questions relocating families ask, about schools, commutes and which side of town, get a straight answer.

Which areas does Leah cover?

Northwest Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, and the neighborhoods between them. See every area.