
Home Buyer Resources
Step-by-step guides, current market data, and expert advice from Austin's #1 real estate team - everything you need before making an offer.
Your Home Buying Journey
A proven 7-step process refined over hundreds of successful transactions.
Discovery Call
We start with a detailed conversation about your needs, timeline, neighborhoods of interest, and budget. This helps us create a focused search strategy.
Get Pre-Approved
Connect with our preferred lenders to get pre-approved. This strengthens your offer and clarifies your true budget including closing costs.
Curated Search
We set up custom searches and share off-market opportunities. You'll receive listings matching your criteria before they hit public sites.
Private Tours
Tour homes at your convenience. We provide market context, point out concerns, and help you evaluate each property objectively.
Strategic Offer
We craft competitive offers using current market data. Our negotiation expertise helps you win without overpaying.
Due Diligence
We coordinate inspections, review disclosures, and negotiate repairs. Our vendor network ensures thorough evaluation.
Close & Celebrate
We guide you through closing, ensure all documents are in order, and hand you the keys to your new Austin home.
Essential Resources
Guides and tools to make your home search easier.
Neighborhood Guides
Explore 40+ Austin neighborhoods with market stats, school info, and lifestyle insights.
Active Listings
Search luxury homes across Austin with advanced filters and map view.
Capital Gains Tax Guide
Understand tax implications of home purchases and how to maximize your investment.
Texas Homestead Exemption
Save on property taxes with Texas homestead exemption. Complete guide to filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions from Austin home buyers.
How much do I need for a down payment in Austin?
Down payment requirements vary by loan type. Conventional loans typically require 3-20%, FHA loans 3.5%, and VA loans 0% for eligible veterans. For Austin luxury homes ($1M+), expect 20-25% down for the best rates. Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate connects you with preferred lenders offering competitive rates.
How long does it take to buy a home in Austin?
The typical Austin home buying timeline is 30-60 days from accepted offer to closing. However, preparation (pre-approval, needs assessment) may take 1-2 weeks, and finding the right home varies. Hot neighborhoods like Westlake and Tarrytown move faster. Off-market opportunities through Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate can accelerate your search.
What's the Austin real estate market like right now?
Austin's luxury market remains strong with continued demand for quality homes in top school districts. Inventory has normalized from 2021-2022 peaks, creating more balanced negotiations. Price per square foot varies significantly by neighborhood - contact us for current micro-market data.
Should I get pre-approved before looking at homes?
Absolutely. Pre-approval strengthens your offer and shows sellers you're serious. In competitive Austin neighborhoods, offers without pre-approval are often rejected. Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate works with top lenders who can pre-approve qualified buyers within 24-48 hours.
Which Austin neighborhoods have the strongest schools and parks?
Top neighborhoods for schools and amenities include Westlake Hills (Eanes ISD), Northwest Hills (great schools + central location), Tarrytown (walkability + community), Steiner Ranch (amenities + value), and Circle C (south Austin suburban feel). Each offers different lifestyle benefits - we help match your priorities.
How do I compete in multiple offer situations?
Winning strategies include strong pre-approval, flexible closing dates, limiting contingencies when appropriate, and escalation clauses. Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate's market intelligence helps price your offer competitively. Our relationships with listing agents often provide insight into seller priorities.
What do first-time luxury home buyers need to know about Austin?
Start with mortgage pre-approval - in competitive Austin neighborhoods like Westlake and Tarrytown, offers without pre-approval are often rejected outright. Austin's luxury market ($1M+) typically requires 20-25% down for the best rates. Neighborhood selection matters: school districts, commute times, and lifestyle amenities vary dramatically across Austin's 40+ distinct neighborhoods. Always budget for a thorough inspection - older homes in established areas like Northwest Hills and Tarrytown may have foundation or plumbing concerns. The Keenan Group provides dedicated buyer representation with access to off-market listings, current micro-market data, and negotiation expertise refined over 1,000+ transactions.
- #1 Austin Board of Realtors Team (2024)
- 1,000+ career transactions
- 25+ years of Austin market expertise across 40+ neighborhoods
Source: Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate
Related Resources
Austin Neighborhoods
59 guides with pricing, schools, and lifestyle for every area
Home Valuation
Get a comp-backed home value range before buying or selling
Our Results
1,000+ transactions, 13-day median DOM, #1 ABOR Team 2024
Austin Schools
District guides, ratings, and school-zone pricing impact
Reviews
What clients say about working with the Keenan Group
Pocket Listings & Off-Market Access
Access Austin homes before they hit the MLS through private and pre-market channels
What Austin Buyers Say
Search and negotiation experiences from recent Keenan Group buyer clients.

Joe Keenan made my first time home buying experience easy and comfortable. I contacted Joe Keenan, told him what I was looking for, and he set me up an online account [at Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate] complete with pictures, maps, and prices of available homes. I selected the ones I liked and we were physically viewing within days. Joe Keenan pointed out things that I didn't even think of (Example: the master bedroom being separate from the other bedrooms provides more privacy) and was very helpful in every aspect of the search. I could instantly tell if I liked a house or not and Joe Keenan would be right there with me - ready to leave at a moment's notice or ready to call the seller if I was very interested. Never trying to talk me into something I didn't want or making excuses for a lackluster home. A few of the houses I picked were near railroad tracks and he told me up front that not only will the train whistle wake me up at night, but reselling would be very difficult. I was just looking for a place to store my junk, but Joe Keenan came at it from all sides, informed me of the various aspects of home ownership, and guided me to make a wise thoughtful decision that I'm very proud of. I would recommend Joe Keenan to anyone that is seriously interested in buying a house. Weekends were the only time I could view homes and Joe Keenan understood completely. Every weekend Joe Keenan and I would go looking at available houses until I found the right one. His flexibility was impeccable. I also appreciated his willingness to help on all levels even though I wasn't buying a very expensive home. Joe Keenan answered every question I had, helped me get a fantastic deal, and made me feel more like family than just another customer. Joe Keenan rules and you should buy a house right now just to have Joe Keenan as your Realtor. (Note: Added bracketed text for clarity on the online account)
onetimesignup (Citysearch Review)
First-Time Buyer in Austin, TX
We were introduced to Joe Keenan and Cara Keenan by two sets of friends who'd worked with them on multiple home purchases and sales, so they came with strong recommendations. We were impressed by...Read more
We were introduced to Joe Keenan and Cara Keenan by two sets of friends who'd worked with them on multiple home purchases and sales, so they came with strong recommendations. We were impressed by their knowledge and professionalism when we first spoke and also by their engaging and friendly personalities—knowing our friends - who have very high standards! - were pleased with their work gave us a lot of confidence in working with them. With Austin being such a hot market, it's a challenging time to be a buyer, but we were really happy to have Joe Keenan shepherding us through the process. We looked at a lot of places because we started off not really knowing what we wanted, and Joe Keenan was incredibly patient, well-informed, positive, and thoughtful. He's optimistic while also being realistic and truly wants to help you to find the right home. Beyond his professional knowledge, he's just a great guy to be around, and that made shopping more enjoyable. When we got under contract, Joe Keenan recommended really high-quality professionals to help check things we wanted looked at in the home - home inspectors, pool inspectors, electricians, roofers, stucco experts, etc. Each person he recommended was knowledgeable and had strong credentials. I will continue to use Joe Keenan as a resource for home-related professionals in the area because he really knows who's good. He coordinated getting a lot done in our option period to help us feel comfortable moving forward with the purchase. His team is super responsive and kept the process moving to meet quick closing timelines.
Jennifer Rygler
Buyer in Northwest Hills, Austin, TX
The pandemic made it difficult for us (from Iowa) to personally visit sites of possible homes in Austin and its vicinity. Add to that the prevailing crazy housing market — it made finding and buying...Read more
The pandemic made it difficult for us (from Iowa) to personally visit sites of possible homes in Austin and its vicinity. Add to that the prevailing crazy housing market — it made finding and buying your perfect home in another state so daunting, if not next to impossible! But Cara Keenan and the whole of Joe Keenan and Cara Keenan's team made it all feasible for us as if we were just close by! She made it easier for us to look at possibilities, was very responsive, gave much clearer pictures of properties that interested us, and was so patient with us as we go from one property to the next. No pressure. Her words of encouragement helped ease our disappointment each time we found out the house was already sold or our offer was not accepted. Since we could not be there to see the property (which we eventually purchased), she brought the details to us through videos, some of which she made under some bad weather! Now, that's dedication! She has a well-organized team that helped us and anticipated our needs, and made the whole finding-to-closing process so much smoother. Even after closing, the team still communicates with us, trying their best to help us, especially as we are still in the process of moving a few weeks after closing! They're all very caring, very gracious, and highly professional. It truly was a pleasure working with them, and we would highly recommend Cara Keenan and the Keenan Group in a heartbeat!
Lita Rule
Relocation Buyer from Iowa
Cara Keenan and Joe Keenan are the most exceptional Realtors you can find-anywhere. Finding a trustworthy Realtor in Austin from PA could've been a disaster, but we found the gem of all gems! Not...Read more
Cara Keenan and Joe Keenan are the most exceptional Realtors you can find-anywhere. Finding a trustworthy Realtor in Austin from PA could've been a disaster, but we found the gem of all gems! Not only is their knowledge about the market and the process unmatched, but their impeccable service and reliability was what we appreciated the most during the purchase of our home. We told Cara Keenan and Joe Keenan over and over that we were sure that we weren't her only clients, but we always felt as if we were! Never a question went unanswered or a moment passed that we couldn't contact Cara Keenan or Joe Keenan; our needs were consistently fulfilled, and our expectations were surpassed. They would even tell you that we had unforeseen obstacles; but, even when we didn't know there were questions, Cara Keenan and Joe Keenan provided the answers. We also found the Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate site far superior to others in its ability to provide detailed, current information. It allowed us to search and save homes, which also made the long-distance relocation extraordinarily easier. We are happy to say that Cara Keenan and Joe Keenan have become our friends-they are truly in a class of their own! We will definitely refer them to others and look forward to opportunities to work with them again.
Sean and Lori Rill
Long-Distance Relocation Buyers
Ready to Find Your Austin Home?
Schedule a discovery call with Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate. We'll discuss your needs, timeline, and create a personalized search strategy.