Let's be direct: you're already here, which means you likely already have a sense of who you want in your corner. Good instinct. We believe we're the best team to guide an Austin home purchase — and the rest of this guide is where we show you why.

You can search on your own, but the right REALTOR® guides you through every step — and shares off-market options you'd never find otherwise. A great agent is an advisor in your corner, preparing you for every move in a competitive and often unpredictable market. You're not legally required to work with a professional to buy a home, but the buyers who win consistently do.

From choosing the right mortgage to navigating a purchase with less-than-perfect credit, the right team helps you buy with confidence. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, buyers — especially those 30 and younger — consistently report better understanding of the process when working with an agent.

Pro tip: Choose a team that specializes in Austin and in helping first-time buyers, so your needs are met from day one. That's exactly what we do.

Start by assessing your budget and finances — checking your credit and savings to determine your purchasing power. This phase establishes your buying power and gives your agent and seller agents confidence that you're ready to move. It also keeps expectations realistic, so you don't fall for the perfect home only to find it's out of range.

We recommend meeting with a local lender early in your search. A pre-approval is essential in this market. While you can work with anyone you like, a local lender brings hyper-focused knowledge of Austin's unique market, with the tools and connections to close quickly on winning offers. It's made a real difference for our clients.

See our recommended local lenders in the Austin Vendor & Services Guide.

Prepare a wish list with must-, should-, and nice-to-haves outlined. There's no such thing as a perfect home — but there is a perfect home for you.

• Must-haves. Keep this to 3–4 critical requirements. Your agent uses them to filter properties, so be careful not to be so conservative that you miss a great home.
• Should-haves. Think of these as tie-breakers — keep it to a half-dozen or so. When 20 properties meet your must-haves, these help you and your agent narrow the field. We often discover factors buyers didn't realize were so important.
• Nice-to-haves. Here's where you have fun. Be open and honest about what tickles your fancy — this list can be as long as you like. It's what turns a great home into your home.

As you view homes, share your honest reactions with your agent so they truly learn your style. This is not the time to be shy. Your agent represents you, not the seller — you're not hurting anyone's feelings by being clear about a home you dislike. On the contrary, you're saving you both a lot of time.

Give immediate feedback, explaining what specifically doesn't work. Clearly communicate must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal-breakers. The more detail you provide, the better your agent can tailor the search.

When touring, bring a notebook, a camera or phone for photos, and a checklist of your key criteria to rate each property. Research neighborhoods for safety, amenities, schools, and commute times. Pay attention to structural elements, test fixtures, and evaluate storage. Think about your future plans and resale value. Keep documents, listings, and notes organized so you can compare and decide with confidence.

Browse our current featured Austin properties.

Work with your agent to craft an offer that works. A winning offer is far more than the right price — we provide every client with an offer-writing guide and discuss each element during the process.

• Earnest money. 1% of the sales price is customary, though it's negotiable. During the pandemic boom we saw 3%+. Earnest money is credited to the buyer at closing, and is refundable if you back out during the option period or for agreed contract reasons.
• Option money. Negotiable, generally $500–$1,000 in a typical market. The option period gives you time to inspect, negotiate repairs, and terminate for any reason. It's not refundable if you close — instead it's treated like earnest money.
• Inspection. Recommended during the option period. A home under 2,000 sq ft typically runs around $350; larger homes cost more. Add a pest/termite inspection (roughly $100, and included with some of our partners).
• Appraisal. Usually $450–$550, part of your loan costs. It gives you and the lender comfort that the home is worth your offer. If it appraises low, you may need to cover the gap in cash or walk.
• Survey. If the seller lacks a usable survey, the buyer typically purchases one — around $500–$700. This is rare.
• Closing costs. Mostly loan items, title fees, and sometimes taxes — generally 2–3% of the purchase price, paid at closing with your down payment. A strong agent will look for opportunities to have the seller cover some of these.

With no delays, the average close takes under 30 days. For first-time buyers — especially when using loans or grants toward your down payment — expect 35 to 45 days.

Finalizing your mortgage, completing inspections, negotiating repairs, and working with title all demand attention. You'll get a lot of email, and response time matters. This is when attention is truly critical. Key activities include:

• Underwriting & appraisal. The underwriter reviews your file for loan approval; the appraiser establishes the property's value.
• Title commitment. The title company prepares and presents the document responding to your application for title insurance.
• Negotiate repairs. If disclosures or inspections surface critical issues, your agent may negotiate repairs or closing credits as the contract permits.
• Insurance. Confirm your provider and coverage.
• Funding. Confirm funding and turn your pre-approval into a full "clear to close."

And more — your agent will guide you, and the Adam Timothy Group's experienced Transaction Coordinator supports you every step of the way.

You'll do a final walk-through — typically the day before — and sign the paperwork to close. Once the transaction funds, you get your keys.

• Sign documents. Loan and escrow paperwork, usually at the title company's nearest office or via mobile notary. You'll bring a cashier's check or confirm the wire for your down payment.
• Record & transfer deeds. Largely handled by the title company; deeds are recorded at the County Recorder's office.