Navigating the National Association of Realtors’ Changes Together: How This Impacts Your Home-Buying Journey
The buzz revolves around a slight yet significant tweak in how commissions are presented and the handling of closing costs. Despite the flurry of opinions and headlines, it's essential to note that these changes are still in the pipeline, with nothing set in stone until July 2024.
Legally Convert a Window Into an Exterior Door to Create an In-Home Airbnb Rental Unit - in Austin, TX
I'm Holly, the Marketing Director here at Open House Austin. Today, I'm excited to share my journey of converting a room in my home into a separate rental space for Airbnb. It's a clever strategy we like to call the "sneaky duplex."
Our 2023 First-Time Home Buyer Stats (Want to Buy a House in 2024? Read This!)
At Open House Austin, we help people buy houses every day - especially first-time buyers who might find the process intimidating. We’ve each been in your shoes! And that’s why we’re so focused on education and creative home-buying strategy. With that in mind…
Buying Homes With Friends Part 1: What Makes a Great Partnership?
Let's start with a simple truth - there's no one-size-fits-all guide to buying a house. We're encouraging you to approach this journey with an open mind…
HOME: A City and Council Initiative Responding to The Housing Emergency in Austin, TX
HOME stands for "Home Options for Middle-income Empowerment." Its mission? To create more housing options for middle-income households…
Open House Austin Community Space & Office Launch Party September 2023
Thanks so much for coming out to our Community Space & Office Launch Party on Thursday, September 21st. We were blown away by your support and can’t wait to connect with you again soon at a future happy hour or Women Investor Group Meetup…
Open House Austin Pickleball Community Meetup March 2023
Thanks so much for coming out to The Pitch on Thursday, March 23rd. Y’all surprised us and seriously dominated the pickleball courts the entire time we were there! Check out these action shots…
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!
Build a Tiny House: Permits & Process Resource List For Austin, TX
It’s Steph, Co-Founder of OHA, and I’ve DIY-ed/rolled on a few tiny homes in my day! 🙂 Y’all asked - we’re answering: How do I get my tiny house project permitted? What does the legal side of the additional-dwelling unit (ADU) process look like? Check out these resources!
How to Find Quality Roommates or Tenants & Remotely Manage Your Property
Kristina, here! At OHA, we’re big believers in “house hacking.” Simply put, house hacking is getting other people to pay the mortgage payments on a house you own. This is done by renting out the other units or rooms. Here are the best ways to find roommates or tenants for your home…
Open House Austin Holiday Party 2022
Y’all showed UP for our holiday party this year! Thanks so much for coming out to High Noon on Thursday, December 8th. We had an amazing time catching up with old friends and making some new ones, too. Looking forward to the next one!
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!
Buy a House with a Friend: Real Estate Partnerships Explained
People partner to buy their homes all the time - it's just been, traditionally, with a significant other. But there’s no rule stating that you have to be married to someone to buy a house with them. Your friend may be a better real estate partner than a spouse! Read on to find out how partnerships work, what makes a great partner and how to protect yourself with an operating agreement.
How a Home Warranty Can Save You Time and Money as a Homeowner
A home warranty is a policy that helps cover the cost of maintaining and repairing household systems and appliances. It differs from a home insurance policy, which is required by your mortgage lender, and covers the loss of your home and property in the event of a fire, flood or other natural disaster. Read how Celeste picked the right warranty for her primary residence, and it saved her big time!