Back HomeWhat to Know About Buying a Home in College Station, TX
Known for its prime location, small-town vibe, and for being the home of the highly- ranked Texas A&M University, College Station is a growing community with plenty to offer. Thus, it’s worthy of being in the shortlist of homebuyers who are looking for a nice place to live.
To prepare for the home buying process, here’s everything you need to know about purchasing a College Station home.
- The College Station housing market is still hot
Most housing markets across the nation boomed during the pandemic and they continue to show no signs of slowing down. College Station’s real estate market is one of them. According to local news site KBTX, mortgage lending for residential real estate in College Station increased despite rising mortgage and interest rates.
If you plan on buying a home in College Station, expect higher home prices. Redfin reports that home prices here increased by 16.3%. The median home price now is at $325,000. However, this amount is still less than the national average of $428,700.
As a buyer, the key to navigating a hot real estate market like College Town is to have a strategy. Knowing how to stand out can put you ahead of other offers. Getting pre-approved before shopping for homes is one helpful strategy. A pre-approval letter shows the seller that you are financially capable and serious about buying their home.
- College Station has a wide selection of housing options
From spacious single-family homes to conveniently located townhouses, there’s a housing option for everyone in this thriving town. The single-family homes in College Station range from affordable bungalows to luxury abodes. Townhomes, condos, and apartments are on the market as well.
College Station also offers residential land to those who prefer to build their home from the ground up. These prime lots are just a short distance away from restaurants, shopping areas, and of course, Texas A&M University.
With the kinds of properties available in College Station, it can get pretty overwhelming. That’s why it helps to create a home buying checklist.
When making your home buying checklist, list down what you want or need in terms of location, price, property features, and community amenities. Keep in mind that you won’t find a home that checks out everything on your list. Just take note of the deal breakers and the features that you are willing to compromise on.
- A budget keeps you on track
A common mistake that buyers make is to look at homes they can’t afford. And in College Station, it’s easy to get carried away by the selection of amazing properties for sale, with price tags anywhere from$200,000 to $3 million.
Setting a home buying budget ensures that you are realistic about your spending power. Since College Station is currently a seller’s market, be prepared to add a little extra to your budget.
Assuming you have a firm idea of how much you can spend because you’ve been pre-approved by a lender, research the neighborhoods of your chosen location. College Station is made up of three districts and around 15 neighborhoods. Browse the College Station, Texas real estate listings across neighborhoods and note how much they typically go for. Factor in other costs like monthly mortgage payments, HOA fees, utilities, and home maintenance expenses.
- Working with a real estate agent is crucial
There’s no better way to navigate College Station’s strong housing market than with a real estate agent by your side. A College Station real estate expert can provide inside information on local market trends, home prices, and neighborhoods. They also have a network of contacts that they can tap into.
The best way to find the right real estate agent to work with is to interview several candidates. Ask them about their experience, skills, and neighborhood expertise.
Some of the questions you can ask prospective agents are:
- How well do you know the College Station area?
- What kind of properties do you specialize in?
- How long have you been working as a real estate agent?
- What is your plan for helping buyers find the right home?
- How can I get my offer accepted in a seller’s market?
- Can you provide the contact details of your last three clients?
Talking to previous clients gives you an idea of what it’s like working with the agent.
Let’s get started on your College Station, TX home buying journey today! Talk to an experienced agent from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Caliber Realty by calling 979.694.8844. You can also send us an email here.
