Open House Austin Blog
Teacher Turned Real Estate Investor Via House Hacking (Sneaky Duplex Reveal)!
House hacking is supplementing your mortgage, taxes & insurance (henceforth referred to simply as “mortgage”) with monthly income. While I was paying only half of my mortgage, my house was appreciating in value because I bought in a rapidly appreciating area. Learn how I did it!
How to Build a Tiny House: From Costs to Construction
Our founder Steph decided to build a tiny house in the back of one of her investment properties. Learn how she planned, stayed on budget, and made back her investment with our Tiny House Guide.
7 Tips for Buying a Home with Multiple Offers in a Hot Market
Bidding on a multiple offer home in a hot market can be super discouraging - especially when it happens over and over again. So we’ve compiled a list of 7 tips that will help you beat the competition!
Should I Buy a House Now or Wait?
Rent is something you consider on a monthly basis. But have you ever done the math and realized how much you’ve actually spent on rent? Here we break down 11 years of rent spent by one person in Austin, and what would have happened if she bought a home instead.
How I Made $84,000 Refinancing My Home in Austin
One of our founders, Kristina, used the process of cash-out refinancing to pull $84,000 from her home. So what exactly is cash-out refinancing? How did she get that much money? What will she use it for? Click to read her entire story, step by step!
How I Bought a 1 Acre House in Central Austin in my 20s
Jenn Carey, a Open House Austin agent and investor, walks us through her process of buying a north/central Austin home that was on an entire acre of land! From the search to the cost - read all about it here!
Transforming A Home into a $40k Yearly Airbnb Money Maker
How did one of our founders, Steph Douglass, turn an ugly house into one of the hottest Airbnb’s in Austin’s east side that now earns her over $40k a year? Read to see her entire process, from start to finish.
Should You House Hack a Condo or House?
When it comes to house hacking - is there a type of home that is best? By comparing a similar size/price house and condo, we can see if there really is a better choice, and which one is right for you!
A Year Airbnb-ing My Room in Austin TX
Since moving to Austin after college in 2012, I always saw the benefit of buying a house and having roommates help pay my mortgage payment. I finally had the opportunity to do so in 2017. I renovated the home, and now make an income through Air bnb.
The Story of Open House Austin
When I started my search to find an office space in Austin, I was a bit overwhelmed at the costs associated with it. I was beginning to give up on finding an affordable commercial space. Right before I lost hope, I stumbled upon a yellow building for sale. Read to see how we turned it into our beautiful office/event space!
15 Things You Should Know Before Buying a House in Austin
If you’re planning to buy a house in Austin, there are some things you should know before making that huge step. Read through to learn the 15 things you NEED to know before buying.