08/12/2026
Honest talk about buying a home in Austin. 🏡
Yes, prices have come down. But we're still one of the most expensive cities in Texas, and I'd rather be upfront with you than tell you what you want to hear.
Here's what I tell every buyer I work with:
Stay within your means. We use the 27% rule: no more than 27% of your monthly income going toward housing. Looking at a $400k home? Your household should be bringing in at least $150k a year.
Have a cushion beyond your down payment. An emergency fund of $5-10k isn't optional, it's the difference between homeownership feeling stable and feeling stressful.
And if someone told you affordable housing programs in Austin don't exist? That's not the full story. They take effort to qualify for, which is why some agents skip them. But the majority of our buyers have used some kind of program, whether that's down payment assistance or a rate buydown. The city of Austin genuinely wants more people to own here.
This is just a piece of the puzzle. Comment HOMEOWNER for an invite to our next workshop where we break all of this down and help you figure out what's actually possible for you. 👇
