Buy Your Austin Home — We Handle the Mortgage
Austin TX mortgage expert — tech sector professionals, first-time buyers & investors. Jumbo for luxury, VA zero-down, FHA for entry-level communities. 21-day avg close. Patrick Glaros — no credit check to get started.
Get pre-approved in minutes, not days. Local Travis County expertise with personalized service from application to closing.
Live Music Capital of the World
Why Austin Appeals to Homebuyers
Austin has emerged as one of America's premier technology hubs, attracting major corporate campuses from Dell, Apple, Tesla, Oracle, and Samsung. The city's tech-driven economy generates consistent job growth and competitive salaries, making it a magnet for professionals seeking career advancement alongside exceptional quality of life. Austin's unemployment rate consistently runs below state and national averages.
Beyond the tech sector, Austin's cultural identity sets it apart from any other Texas city. The live music scene—anchored by 6th Street, South Congress, and venues like the Continental Club and Mohawk—earned Austin its official designation as the Live Music Capital of the World. The annual South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits festivals draw global attention, while the local food scene rivals cities twice its size.
Austin's outdoor lifestyle is unmatched in Texas, with Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool, and the Greenbelt providing year-round recreation within city limits. The surrounding Hill Country offers hiking, cycling, and lake activities that attract active homebuyers. This combination of career opportunities, cultural richness, and outdoor access drives sustained housing demand across all price ranges.
- Major tech employers: Dell, Apple, Tesla Gigafactory, Oracle HQ, Samsung semiconductor campus
- Live Music Capital of the World with 250+ live music venues
- Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park, and Barton Springs outdoor lifestyle
- University of Texas flagship campus with 50,000+ students
- State capital with diverse government and private-sector employment
Frequently Asked Questions About Austin Home Loans
What is the median home price in Austin?
The median home price in Austin is currently $550,000, with prices changing -4.0% year-over-year. Austin offers diverse neighborhoods from entry-level homes around $250K in East Austin to luxury estates over $1.5M in Westlake Hills. Our Austin mortgage calculator factors in Travis County tax rates so you can see your true monthly cost before you start shopping.
How long do homes stay on the market in Austin?
Austin homes currently average 60 days on market. Well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods like Mueller, Travis Heights, and Cedar Park often sell within 3-4 weeks. Getting pre-approved before you start looking gives you a competitive edge — our average closing time is just 21 days.
What are the best neighborhoods in Austin for families?
Round Rock and Cedar Park offer top-rated schools in Round Rock and Leander ISDs. Mueller provides urban family living with Austin ISD access. Westlake Hills delivers Eanes ISD—one of Texas's premier districts.
What school districts serve Austin?
Austin is served by multiple ISDs: Austin ISD (majority of city), Eanes ISD (Westlake Hills - ranked among Texas's best), Round Rock ISD (north Austin/Round Rock), Leander ISD (Cedar Park/Leander), and Pflugerville ISD (east/northeast).
What are property taxes like in Austin?
Austin property taxes range from 1.8% to 2.3% depending on the school district. Austin ISD areas average around 2.0%, while Eanes ISD runs approximately 1.9% due to higher property values offsetting rates. Use our free calculator to see how Travis County taxes affect your monthly payment across different Austin neighborhoods.
How do I get pre-approved for a home loan in Austin?
Austin homebuyers can get pre-approved in about 15 minutes online — no hard credit pull for the initial consultation. Pre-approval shows sellers you're a serious buyer and can help you close in as little as 21 days. You'll know exactly which loan programs fit your situation, whether that's conventional, FHA, VA, or jumbo financing in Travis County. Start your free pre-approval today to shop Austin neighborhoods with confidence.
Austin Housing Market Overview
The Austin, TX real estate market offers diverse opportunities for homebuyers in Travis County.
- Median Home Price in Austin: $550,000
- Year-over-Year Price Change: -4.0%
- Average Days on Market: 60 days
- County: Travis County, Texas
Austin Neighborhoods by Price Range
Explore Austin neighborhoods organized by home price to find the perfect fit for your budget.
Entry-Level Homes ($250,000 - $400,000)
- East Austin / Del Valle - Homes from $250,000 to $400,000
- Pflugerville Area - Homes from $275,000 to $400,000
- Manor Area - Homes from $250,000 to $375,000
Mid-Market Homes ($400,000 - $700,000)
- South Congress / Travis Heights - Homes from $450,000 to $700,000
- Mueller / North Loop - Homes from $400,000 to $650,000
- Cedar Park / Leander Area - Homes from $400,000 to $650,000
- Round Rock - Homes from $400,000 to $700,000
Luxury Market Homes ($700,000 - $1,500,000+)
- Tarrytown / West Austin - Homes from $700,000 to $1,500,000
- Westlake Hills / Eanes - Homes from $900,000 to $2,500,000
- Lake Austin / Lakeway Area - Homes from $800,000 to $2,000,000
School Districts in Austin
Austin is served by highly-rated school districts, making it ideal for families.
- Austin ISD - B+
- Eanes ISD - A+
- Round Rock ISD - A
- Leander ISD - A
- Pflugerville ISD - B+
Major Employers Near Austin
Convenient commutes to major employment centers make Austin an attractive location for professionals.
- Downtown / 2nd Street District
- Domain / North Austin Tech Corridor
- Tesla Gigafactory
- Apple Campus
- University of Texas
Why Buy a Home in Austin?
- Tech Economy: Dell, Apple, Tesla, Oracle, Samsung, and hundreds of startups powering one of America's fastest-growing tech hubs.
- Live Music Culture: Official Live Music Capital of the World with 250+ venues, SXSW, and Austin City Limits.
- Outdoor Lifestyle: Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park, Barton Springs, Greenbelt trails, and Hill Country recreation year-round.
- State Capital: Texas state government employment plus University of Texas flagship campus with 50,000+ students.
- Education Options: Five school districts including Eanes ISD (A+) and Round Rock ISD (A) among Texas's best.
- Growth & Energy: One of America's fastest-growing cities with sustained population growth and economic expansion.
Mortgage Options for Austin Homebuyers
Find the right financing for your Austin home purchase in Travis County with these mortgage programs:
- FHA Loans: Government-backed loans with 3.5% down and flexible credit requirements starting at 550 FICO. Most Austin homes fall within the $563,500 DFW FHA loan limit.
- VA Loans: Zero down payment for eligible veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses. No PMI and competitive rates — no loan limit with full entitlement.
- Conventional Loans: Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages with as little as 3% down. Austin homes up to $832,750 qualify for conforming loan rates.
- Jumbo Loans: Financing for properties exceeding the $832,750 conforming limit. Competitive rates for qualified borrowers with 700+ credit scores and 10-20% down.
- DSCR Loans: Investment property financing qualifying on rental income, not personal income. 20-25% down payment.
- Construction Loans: Interim construction financing for custom home builds with two-time close and construction-to-permanent takeout options.
- Texas VLB Loans: Texas Veterans Land Board home loans for veterans and active-duty military with below-market rates.
- Non-QM Loans: Bank statement, asset-based, and alternative income documentation for self-employed borrowers.
- Home Refinancing: Rate-and-term, cash-out, and streamline refinance options for current Austin homeowners.
The 2026 conforming loan limit for Travis County is $832,750. VA-eligible buyers have no loan limit with full entitlement. Use our mortgage calculator to see current rates and payment estimates for Austin.
Try our interactive Austin calculators: Payment Calculator, Affordability Calculator, and Buydown Calculator — all pre-loaded with Travis County tax rates and live PMMS interest rates.
What You Need to Afford a Austin Home
Based on Austin's median home price of $550,000:
- 3% down (Conventional first-time): $16,500 down payment
- 3.5% down (FHA): $19,250 down payment
- 5% down (Conventional): $27,500 down payment
- 10% down: $55,000 down payment
- 20% down (no PMI): $110,000 down payment
- VA Loan: $0 down payment for eligible veterans
- Estimated monthly P&I (20% down, 30yr): ~$2,781/month (plus taxes, insurance, HOA)
Seller-paid temporary buydowns (2-1 or 3-2-1) can reduce your Austin mortgage payment by $400–$900/month in the early years. Try our Buydown Calculator to compare options with your specific home price.
Travis County Property Tax Data
Our Austin calculators use verified property tax rates from the Travis County Appraisal District — not generic estimates or national averages. Texas has no state income tax, making accurate property tax calculations essential for budgeting.
- Data Source: Travis County Appraisal District official rates
- Coverage: Tax rates broken down by city, school district, and special districts
- MUD/PID: Municipal Utility Districts and Public Improvement Districts included where applicable
- Exemptions: Homestead exemption ($100,000 school district exemption), over-65, disability, and veteran exemptions supported
- Updates: Rates verified and updated annually from County Appraisal District sources
Property taxes in Travis County vary significantly by school district and location. Our calculators let you select your specific school district for accurate monthly payment estimates in Austin.
Contact Your Austin Mortgage Expert
Patrick Glaros
Producing Branch Manager
Directions Home Loan
NMLS #308804
Phone: (469) 399-2411
Email: pglaros@directionshomeloan.com
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FHA, VA, and conventional loans available for Austin — find the best fit for your budget. Free pre-approval in 15 minutes.
Ready to buy in Austin? Contact Patrick Glaros for personalized mortgage guidance and competitive rates.