By Megan Wehring
HAYS COUNTY – In June, home prices in Hays County were up by 13.2% compared to last year, as they were selling for a median price of $453,000 – yet they still ranked low compared to Austin’s median price of $630,000.
On average, homes in Hays County sell after 23 days on the market compared to 24 days last year, according to Redfin, while Austin homes have stayed a consistent sale after 29 days on the market. There were 442 homes in Hays County sold in June this year and 1,202 homes in Austin sold during the same month.
Buying or building a new home, no matter the location, can be an intimidating process. Aaron Boenig, co-founder and co-president of Brohn Homes in Central Texas, shared important tips for purchasing a home in today’s market.
According to Boenig, starting early in your home buying/searching process is key.
“The earlier you start, the better you will be,” Boeing said. “Identify your budget, the general location where you want to buy a home and find out what’s important to you in your situation. That would be like schools, location of employment, location of shopping and entertainment and the amenities within the community.”
Boeing added that the earlier a prospective homebuyer can identify their needs and wants, the more ahead they will be.
Identifying the ideal comforts of the homes is the next step. Boeing said that homebuyers should think about what is essential to make a house feel like home.
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a smart move as it will help homebuyers get a clear idea of what their budget looks like and how quickly they should move to find their perfect home – and they should also be ready for some competition with other buyers.
New construction also has its own perks.
“It allows buyers to personalize their home,” Boeing explained. “Building a home can fit what you want and what you really need, [without having to] compromise. Typically, new construction is more energy-efficient [compared to] resale homes, which in the long-run, will save you more money.”
As a part of the personalization aspect, clients can select the specific architectural style they want for their home in order to fit their personality. New construction also offers the latest appliances.
