The Hidden Advantage of Living in Texas (That Most People Overlook)
When people compare different states, the conversation usually starts—and ends—with income. Which state pays more? Where can I earn the highest salary? Where are the biggest opportunities? Those are important questions. But they don’t always capture what day-to-day life actually feels like once you’
What Wage Trends Tell Us About Home Prices in Texas
When people try to make sense of home prices—why they rise, where they’re headed, and whether now is the right time to buy—they usually focus on things like interest rates or inventory. Those matter, of course. But there’s another factor quietly shaping the market in the background: Wages. At a basi
Texas vs. High-Income States: Where Does Your Money Actually Go Further?
It’s easy to assume that higher income automatically means a better financial situation. If you’re earning more per hour, things should feel easier, right? On paper, that logic checks out. States like California, Washington, and Massachusetts consistently report higher average wages than Texas .
Why So Many People Are Moving to Texas (And What They’re Seeing)
If you’ve lived in Texas for a while, you’ve probably noticed it without needing to look at the data. More out-of-state plates. More new neighbors. More conversations about people relocating from places like California, New York, or Washington. It’s not just a feeling—it’s a real trend. And while
Thinking About Leaving Texas? Here’s What Other States Might Cost You
At some point, almost every homeowner thinks about it…What would life look like somewhere else? Maybe it’s a higher-paying job in another state, a change of scenery, or just the feeling that there might be something better out there. On the surface, it’s easy to be drawn to places where wages are hi
Is Texas Actually More Affordable? Here’s What the Numbers Really Say
When people talk about moving to Texas—especially places like Austin—“affordable” is almost always part of the conversation. It’s become one of those things everyone just assumes is true. But when you actually look at the numbers, it’s a little more nuanced than that. Based on national wage data, T
A Few of the Reasons I Know Austin Is the Right Place for Me
When I moved to Austin, people kept telling me that this city had an energy unlike anywhere else. I nodded politely at the time—how many cities say that about themselves? But after spending 2025 here, I finally get it. This was the year Austin really showed me what it means to live in a place where
Why the Future of Home-Buying Just Got a Big Boost: 3‑D Printed Homes in Texas
If you’ve been keeping an eye on housing trends, there’s a story unfolding in Texas that’s worth your attention. In Wolf Ranch, just outside Austin, a collaboration between ICON and Lennar has created the world’s largest 3‑D printed neighborhood. And for anyone in real estate—buyers, investors, or a
Battling the Chill: What Austin Learned from the Recent Winter Storms
Austin isn’t exactly known for harsh winter weather. But earlier this year, the city found itself grappling with a series of unusually cold, icy, and snowy days that tested not just its roads and infrastructure, but also the resilience of its residents. It all started in mid-January 2025, when an Ar
Unlocking More Homes: Why Minimum Lot Size Matters for Affordability in Austin
Austin’s housing market is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Median home prices have surged, mortgage rates are still high, and homes affordable to the average resident are increasingly hard to find. In 2023, the median sales price in Austin was $540,000, yet only 5.5% of homes sold for un
Austin’s Tech Renaissance: How “Silicon Hills” Became a Global Innovation Powerhouse
Austin, Texas — once celebrated mostly for its live music, creative soul, and unmistakably quirky charm — has spent the last decade quietly transforming into something much bigger. Today, “Silicon Hills” isn’t just a catchy nickname; it’s a reflection of Austin’s position as one of the world’s faste
Why 2026 Could Be a “Little Bit Better” for Housing — Especially Here in Texas
If you’ve been wondering whether the housing market might finally feel a bit more manageable, there’s some encouraging news on the horizon — especially for those of us in the San Antonio and Schertz area. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is predicting that 2026 won’t be a dramatic turnarou
Are Realtor Stereotypes Accurate?
In a previous blog post, the question “are realtors, lenders, title agents, etc. worth the money they’re being paid?” was posed in relation to the recent changes happening. How much value you feel they add is, of course, a factor in how you may answer this question. But, here’s another factor to con
Changes to How Contracts and Representation Work
Hi everyone, maybe some of you have heard about some of the changes to how contracts and representation work across the nation. Here’s a brief catchup if you’re out of the loop: I won’t have all the answers because it’s still so new, but I did actually sit in on a seminar last week listening to expe
Reversal in Travis County Population Trends
Travis County has been a consistent hot spot for people moving to the Austin area, but for the first time in two decades, the number of people leaving the county is greater than the number moving in. It’s a prime example of how, sometimes, what goes up, must come down. Nevertheless, while this pheno
Is Austin America’s Boomtown?
Although it may seem like Austin is THE boomtown, it’s actually something that’s going around all over Texas. It’s true, we do dominate in the regional IT industry, and create more white collar high-paying jobs than our Texas rivals, but in aggregate the DFW area definitely gets more total migration
Can Austin Compare to Silicon Valley?
Perhaps we sound only like Austin cheerleaders sometimes, but I do like to always include the other side of the story. I often say “second to Silicon Valley, Austin is THE place to be for IT…” The reality, though, is that we’re probably still a pretty distant number two. We do offer lots of advantag
Austin Price and Inventory Trends
There’s a lot of economic uncertainty in the air, what with souring inflation, the fed about to raise rates, stock and crypto market turmoil, etc. I’m frequently asked the question as to whether their investment (their home purchase) will be safe. I know I’m biased, but I have to be honest and say “
5 Year Trend Analysis
Below, you can find a comprehensive analysis of the market trends from 2017 to 2021. Also included in this analysis, is the historical average months of inventory.
Are Austin Homes Overvalued?
According to this article, the answer is yes. It’s suggested that the Austin housing market is overvalued and that, instead of buying a new home, potential buyers should invest or rent for the time being. Let’s look at what they’re actually saying, though. They didn’t tell us anything we didn’t know
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