How to Buy a House in East Austin With Real Estate Expert Ed Hughey

Words by Sam Lauron Photos by Eric Morales

The Austin real estate market isn’t showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. If you’re on the hunt for a home in East Austin, architect and real estate agent, Ed Hughey, has a few tips.

How does your design and architecture background inform your role as a real estate agent?

As an architect, I feel that I can better discern house A from B from C. There are many aspects involved that buyers do not know about until it’s too late. On the Eastside, especially, there’s a long, unknown history with some of the properties. For example, clients may or may not be able to remodel a home because of the way the lot was subdivided, because of how it slopes, because of protected trees, or because of utility easements. For home buyers, having this kind of knowledge before purchasing their next home is invaluable. I often walk a property with clients, assess it in real-time, compare it to other lots they’re considering, and know pretty quickly what my buyers can or cannot do to make it their own.

Before starting the search, what is the first thing home buyers should do to prepare?

Before a home buyer jumps into their home search, it’s really important to familiarize themselves with all of the different East Austin areas and what they have to offer. East Austin is broad and diverse, and there are a lot of neighborhoods and special pockets to explore. They’re all great, with their own unique qualities, but they’re all quite different as well.

What’s your best advice for finding the right agent for a home search?

If a buyer is looking for a home in East Austin, work with an agent who knows it and lives it. East Austin is one of the fastest changing areas within Austin. Finding an agent who lives there, works there, and has an intimate knowledge of the area – as in they eat, sleep, and breathe East Austin – is very important.

What are some things to consider when looking at houses?

First, buyers should determine what type of house they’re looking for: a new construction, a classic bungalow to preserve, a lot to build custom, or something in between. Once these goals are set, then it’s time to start looking and assessing. Even though it can be difficult in this market, with properties moving very quickly, taking the time to assess a house and the area properly is essential. What condition is an older house in? If it’s a new house, or a remodel, what is the quality of work that was done? My job isn’t just to sell a house; it’s to help my clients assess if it’s the right home for them.

In Austin’s current real estate market, finding a house can prove to be a long, stressful challenge. What is your advice for staying motivated throughout the search?

The key is to stay positive. Every day, more houses come on the market. It can feel like the end of the world when the one slips away, but I’m a firm believer that it always works out the way it’s supposed to work out. Sometimes all that’s needed are time and patience, and then the perfect one pops up on the market! Become educated about the market, stay focused, and don’t be afraid to go for it when the time comes.

Contact:
(512) 940-0950
edhughey.com
ed@moreland.com
@edhugheyatx