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Mortgage rates have moved higher again, with the average 30 year fixed mortgage recently moving above 7%. So what happened, and where could rates go over the next year? The answer involves the Federal Reserve, inflation, the economy and, most importantly, the 10 year U.S. Treasury yield. The Fed Does Not Directly Control Mortgage Rates One of the biggest misconceptions is that mortgage rates move directly with the Federal Reserve. They don’t. Mortgage rates tend to follow the 10 year Treasury yield much more closely. When Treasury yields rise, mortgage rates typically rise. When Treasury yields fall, mortgage rates generally have room to move lower. Recently, the 10 year Treasury moved above 5%, putting additional pressure on mortgage rates. What Do We Expect Over the...

When someone asks, “How is the real estate market doing?” the answer depends on where you look. National and Austin area statistics provide a broad overview, but they may not accurately reflect what is happening in your neighborhood or even on your street.   One of the best ways to measure current market conditions is the absorption rate.   The absorption rate measures how quickly available homes are selling. It is calculated by dividing the number of homes sold during a specific period by the number of homes currently available for sale.   For example, if 10 homes sold and 50 homes are currently for sale, the absorption rate is 20%. At the current pace, that represents approximately five months of available inventory.   What...

Perfect for football season and feeds about 8–10 people. Ingredients 2 cups cooked shredded chicken—rotisserie works great 8 ounces cream cheese, softened ½ cup ranch dressing ½ cup buffalo wing sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese Optional: sliced green onions or blue-cheese crumbles Directions Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix the cream cheese, ranch and buffalo sauce until smooth. Stir in the chicken, ½ cup cheddar and mozzarella. Spread into an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbling. Garnish with green onions or blue-cheese crumbles.   Serve warm with tortilla chips, celery, carrots, crackers or toasted bread. Tip: For a bigger football crowd, double the recipe and bake...

The need for skilled tradespeople in this country is real, and the numbers are pretty eye-opening. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, our economy is projected to have around 81,000 electrician openings, 44,000 plumbing and pipefitting openings, 45,600 welding openings, and 40,100 HVAC openings every year over the next decade. That’s more than 210,000 opportunities annually in just four trades. The American Welding Society also estimates that the U.S. will need approximately 320,500 new welding professionals by 2029. This topic is personal to me because my son is currently attending trade school in Waco, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. He is learning a valuable skill, building a career path, and working toward his goal of eventually owning and growing his own...

Ingredients 1½ pounds rockfish fillets (if you can’t find Rock Fish, Cod is a good substitute) 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper Juice of 1 lime 1 tablespoon olive oil 8 small corn or flour tortillas For the slaw: 3 cups shredded cabbage ¼ cup chopped cilantro Juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons mayonnaise Pinch of salt Optional toppings: Sliced avocado Pico de gallo Cotija cheese Jalapeños Lime wedges Directions Pat the fish dry and cut it into taco-sized pieces. Mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Coat the fish with olive oil, lime juice and seasoning. Heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the fish for about...

Warrantable condos meet Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines — think enough owner-occupancy (typically 50%+), no single entity owning more than 10% of units, adequate HOA reserves, no pending litigation, and limited commercial space. These qualify buyers for conventional loans with lower down payments (as little as 3-5%) and better interest rates. Non-warrantable condos fall outside those guidelines — maybe it’s a building with too many investor-owned units, a new development still in its first year, an HOA involved in a lawsuit, or a project with mixed-use commercial space. These don’t disqualify a buyer from financing, but they do mean a portfolio loan or non-QM lender instead of conventional — usually with a larger down payment (10-25%), a somewhat higher rate, and sometimes cash-only in tougher cases....

1. Austin Is More Than Just Austin When people say they’re moving to Austin, they often end up living in surrounding communities such as: Cedar Park Leander Georgetown Round Rock Pflugerville Lakeway Dripping Springs These areas can offer more house for the money, highly rated schools, and different lifestyles while still providing access to Austin’s job market and entertainment. 2. Traffic Is Real Austin’s growth has outpaced its road infrastructure in many areas. A home that appears close on a map may have a much longer commute during rush hour. Before buying, test-drive your commute during peak traffic times. 3. Property Taxes Are Higher Than Many States Texas has no state income tax, but homeowners often pay higher property taxes than they’re accustomed to. New...

Easy Bruschetta Chicken Servings: 4Prep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 20 minutes Ingredients Chicken 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp Italian seasoning Salt and pepper to taste Bruschetta Topping 4 Roma tomatoes, diced ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Optional Fresh mozzarella slices Balsamic glaze for drizzling Instructions 1. Make the Bruschetta In a bowl, combine: Tomatoes Basil Garlic Balsamic vinegar Olive oil Salt and pepper Mix and let sit while you cook the chicken. 2. Season the Chicken Pat chicken dry and season both sides with: Garlic powder Italian seasoning Salt Pepper 3. Cook the Chicken Heat 2 tbsp olive...

  Professional PhotographyYour photos are the first showing. Bright, clean, high-resolution images with proper angles and lighting make a massive difference. Twilight shots, drone photos, and lifestyle images can elevate a listing instantly. Correct Pricing StrategyThe best marketing in the world can’t overcome bad pricing. A great listing hits the market at a price that creates urgency and activity, not one that “tests the market.” Strong First ImpressionCurb appeal matters. Landscaping, pressure washing, fresh mulch, clean windows, and a welcoming entry set the tone before buyers even walk inside. A Compelling MLS DescriptionThe description should sell a lifestyle, not just list features. Buyers want to feel something. Great descriptions highlight upgrades, flow, views, location benefits, and what makes the home unique. Staging and PresentationDecluttered, neutral,...

Ingredients 4 thick slices of bread(Texas toast, brioche, challah, or French bread work best) 2 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp sugar Pinch of salt Butter for the pan   -In a bowl, whisk together: eggs milk vanilla cinnamon sugar salt  -Heat skillet or griddle over medium heat.  -Add a little butter to coat the pan.  -Dip bread into mixture for a few seconds per side. -Don’t soak too long or it gets soggy.  – Cook about 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.