Austin is the well-known state capital of Texas. Home to the University of Texas, Austin is known for it's live music scene, many parks, lakes and being an attractive place for young and old alike. Austin has been one of the fastest growing and most competitive real estate markets, accelerated by the impacts of COVID-19 and many companies shifting to remote work. That coupled with Austin's relative affordability has resulted in a boom for the city of Austin.
Buying a home is a big investment, and in hot markets like Austin, Texas, it can be stressful. When you get to the home inspection part of the transaction, your Realtor may give you a recommendation but if you're here you're probably doing your own research so here are a few tips.
Look for experience and Google reviews. Also check for sample home inspection reports to make sure they are easy-to-understand.
Home inspectors in Texas are required by the state to be licensed inspectors, so it is important that you find inspectors who are qualified and certified by the state to be inspecting homes.
Austin home inspectors may also follow a specific Standard of Practice set forth by associations like InterNACHI when inspecting homes in Texas.
Home inspectors in Texas have state mandated requirements on what they will inspect. In general, TREC guidelines require them to inspect:
Over the course of 2019, the Austin market was a hot market for sellers, meaning that there were more buyers than homes available. Redfin's Compete Score for Austin is one of the highest in the country at a whopping 89. Home values rose by 5.4% over the course 2019, but are predicted to fall by 0.7% over 2020. However, this is a common trend for markets all over the United States, and is likely a direct result of COVD-19’s impact on the economy.
When looking at a home for sale in Austin, you should still get a home inspection, because it is one of the most important tools in determining the condition of a home.
However, if the inspection doesn’t find any major defects that deter you from the home, you may not be able to get the seller to pay for many minor fixes. It never hurts to ask for more fixes than you think you can get after the home inspection, so defer to your real estate agent for guidance!
