For first time home buyers, the process can be quite overwhelming. One thing which you will have to think about is home inspections and home appraisals. These are often confused, but are not the same thing and yes, you do have to worry about both.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a thorough, objective examination of the home's physical structure and systems. The home inspection is primarily for you. The inspector will check everything from the roof to the plumbing to the electrics and provide you with a report that lists what problems they find with the home.

You can then use this list to decide whether to go ahead with the purchase, as leverage against the Seller for a price reduction, have Seller pay closing costs, and/or

Austin is a fantastic place to achieve higher learning. From our outstanding academic institutions to terrific weather for outdoor entertainment, it's no surprise that students flock here and the graduates stay. Austin has it all!

Let’s explore some top Austin colleges and show you all the features that make Austin an amazing place to live. With a booming job market, a relatively low cost of living, and endless choices in off-campus housing, it's no surprise that Austin area students often make their homes and begin their families here too. 

As always, if you've got questions about a specific neighborhood or an Austin real estate listing feel free to reach out to the real estate experts at Pauly Presley Realty right now. 

The Top Austin

The tiny house trend is sweeping the nation and making its mark in Austin. With land at a premium, some neighborhoods are making space for these smaller dwellings. While a tiny house's sticker price may be lower than some conventional homes, there are other issues to consider, including the resale value, lending options, and environmental impact. Many of the environmental benefits are real, but traditional homes can be updated with impactful green initiatives too.

That's why it's important to consult an expert like Pauly Presley Realty, before hopping on the bandwagon. A tiny house may not be a huge investment up front, but the return on investment might be lower than you think.

Here are 5 FAQs to consider before you buy a tiny house in Austin:

Austin has beautiful weather most of the year, which makes it a great city for those who enjoy a day relaxing at the park or a fun hike with their dog. There are a lot of parks across Austin, both free and paid. Here, we present nine of the most popular parks in the city.

Commons Ford Ranch

The prairies at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park have been recently restored. The process involved a controlled burn of the non-native and invasive species that had begun growing there. With the land ready for new planting, over 70 types of native grasses and wildflowers were planted to ensure that the park is full of vibrant plant life year-long.

Commons Ford Ranch, like most metropolitan parks, is open to the public from 5 AM to 10 PM. The park is

Whether you’re a parent of school-aged children or a real estate investor in Austin, school districts matter. An exceptional school district is often a requirement for business owners who want to expand into new areas. Here are some of Austin’s top schools by district based upon academic performance, standardized test scores, and completion of advanced placement courses.

Best Elementary Schools in Austin Texas by District

Bridge Point Elementary School (Eanes ISD)

Bridge Point Elementary School is located on Cedar Street in north Eanes Independent School District (ISD). The school is the largest elementary school in Eanes ISD and serves over 700 students.

Lake Pointe Elementary School (Lake Travis ISD)

Lake Pointe Elementary School is

Before moving to Austin from another city, you've probably been told of some of the downsides. Our traffic has gotten pretty bad, summers are hot, and allergies can be tough. A lesser-known concern to be aware of is Austin flooding. Central Texas is such a flash flood-prone region that the National Weather Service sometimes refers to our area as “Flash Flood Alley.”

However, you needn't be too worried. Flash floods are generally most dangerous when driving, not at home. In fact, 75 percent of Texas flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Make sure to stay off the road when flash floods are predicted. 

As far as real estate is concerned with Austin flooding, the majority of localized flooding doesn't exceed a few road closures in your neighborhood.

With its extraordinary BBQ, classic Tex-Mex, and innovative food trucks, Austin has long been one of the country’s best cities for foodies. Recently, restaurants have been stepping up their brunch game to new heights. 

Largely due to the rise in popularity of “Sunday Funday”, Austin restaurants are seeing more business for brunch than ever. Which restaurants can say they boast the best brunch even amid such fierce competition?

Top Ten Best Brunches in Austin

South Congress Café

South Congress Café might be our number one pick for a classic Austin brunch. Unfortunately, we aren’t alone in thinking this, as the wait time for brunch is almost always at least an hour. Thankfully, they offer a call ahead wait list for Sunday brunch. It may seem

Austin has long been known as a remarkably safe city. Dating back to when it was a wee town of under 500,000 in the 1990s, it was considered one of the safest cities in the country. What about today, though?

How do Austin crime rates compare to the rest of the state, the country, and the world? We’ll answer these questions and then break down which Austin neighborhoods are the safest.

One of the Safest Big Cities in the Country?

Austin, Texas crime rates are considerably lower than the national average. Compared to similarly-sized metro areas, Austin is actually one of the safest big cities in the country.

According to a 2019 safety report compiled using FBI crime statistics, Austin is the eighth safest city in the country.[1] This report

Choosing the best apartment is complicated. If you have the luxury of choosing which time of year to begin your apartment lease, there’s even more than usual you need to consider. When are Texas rental rates the lowest? When do other renters want to buy most? And when will the most options be available?

The most significant differences are apparent when we compare summer to winter.

Let’s begin with what the renting climate is like during the summer season.

The Case for Renting During Summer in Texas

To answer one of our questions right off the bat: most Texans move during the summer. This is largely due to the fact that college students aplenty are moving into new apartments before summer ends. On top of that, the weather is generally

You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for Memorial Day weekend ideas in Austin, Texas. We’ve curated a list of the top events all Memorial Day weekend long, ranging from expensive to totally free. In case you get hungry, we also added our picks for the best Memorial Day brunches. Read on, and enjoy your 2019 Memorial Day Weekend in Austin.

Austin Memorial Day Weekend 2019 Events

Most Notable Memorial Day Events

Hot Luck ($125+)
Multiple Locations

Hot Luck was created by James Beard Award-winner Aaron Franklin (yes, that ‘Franklin’) and is an annual festival celebrating food and music. (Especially food though, so let's just music.) You may not recognize the names of the chefs from the 2019 lineup, but you’ll probably recognize