Open House Austin Blog
Our 2022 First-Time Home Buyer Stats (Want to Buy a House in 2023? Read This!)
We help people buy houses every day. As a first-time buyer, navigating the home-buying process can be pretty intimidating - sometimes, it feels downright impossible! But through these facts, we’ll shed light on who bought a house in 2022. It’s our hope that you’ll see yourself represented in these stats and confidently push forward with your home-buying journey!
7 Steps For a Legal Airbnb Property in Austin, TX!
Hi, it’s Kristina! Co-Founder of OHA. Many of us are aware of the crackdown of illegal Airbnb activity in Austin. But, you can still have a lucrative and, most importantly, legal Airbnb in the city. Here’s an account of legalizing an Airbnb and the steps you can take!
4 Unique Things to Consider When Buying a House in Austin, TX
They say we keep it weird in Austin, TX. That applies to some quirky factors you will quickly discover during the home-buying process here, too. 😉 Check out these unique attributes that first-time buyers and investors should keep top of mind while house hunting in town…
5 Questions You Should Ask Your Mortgage Lender In This Real Estate Market
Read through this brief list (created by our team of experienced Realtors!) to guide the next conversation that you have with your lender.
8 Tips to Airbnb Out Your Space & Generate Passive Income
If you have extended travel plans, why not rent out your whole home? Or, transform just a guest suite - ideal for busy Austin City Limit visitors in October. Here’s how…
This $89K Pre-Built Tiny Home Covers My Entire Mortgage
Steph, here! I’m excited to share one of my latest investment adventures: purchasing and rolling a pre-built tiny home onto my property.
What’s a Sneaky Duplex? How to Generate Income From a Private Room in Your Home
A Sneaky Duplex is a House Hacking strategy, specifically the act of adding an exterior door to a bedroom in your home to make it a separate space for short- or long-term rental…
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.
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.
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.
7 Easy DIY Improvements to Increase Home Value
We’ve compiled a list of 7 home improvements you can do yourself that will increase your home’s value and curb appeal. Although some of these may take a little money and a lot of work, you’ll be happy down the road.
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.
How I Renovated My East Austin Home In 20 Days
These steps are a good starting place to get your wheels turning. You can research real estate investing for years and not learn as much as you will by actually pulling the trigger and getting into your first project. I wish you all the best!
The Life of an Austin Tiny Home Dweller
Amanda had built her entire home from scratch, we were amazed and had many questions. She shared her story with us and spent almost two hours answering our questions. She’s allowed me to share her story and the answers to our questions with you all as well.
House Hacking: 3 Strategies Every Homebuyer Should Consider
House hacking is a term coined by Brandon Turner of Bigger Pockets, my favorite Real Estate investing website. Simply put, house hacking is getting other people to pay the mortgage payments of a house you occupy. This is done by renting out the other units or rooms.