We recently connected with Meghan Elizabeth and have shared our conversation below.

Meghan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result?

As a realtor who specializes in working with first-time home buyers in Austin, Texas, I’ve had the privilege of guiding many clients through the exciting journey of purchasing their first home. Here’s my best advice for anyone stepping into the Austin real estate market for the first time:

1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Knowing your budget upfront helps streamline the search and makes your offer more attractive to sellers.
My Tip: Shop around for the best rates and understand your loan options. A good mortgage broker can make a world of difference.

2. Understand the Local Market
Why It Matters: Austin’s real estate market is vibrant and can be quite competitive.
My Tip: I provide my clients with detailed market analysis and trends, so they have a clear picture of what to expect in different neighborhoods.

3. Prioritize Needs vs. Wants
This helps focus your search and keeps you from getting overwhelmed.
My Tip: Make a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Think about factors like commute times, school districts, and future resale value.

4. Be Ready to Act Quickly
Great homes can get snapped up quickly in Austin.
My Tip: I encourage my clients to be prepared to make quick decisions. Have all your documents ready to submit an offer as soon as you find the right home.

5. Work with a Knowledgeable Realtor
Local expertise can be a game-changer.
My Tip: Leveraging my extensive network and deep knowledge of the Austin market, I provide insights and guidance to make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

6. Attend Open Houses and Viewings
Seeing homes in person helps you better understand what you want.
My Tip: I schedule efficient viewings and encourage my clients to take notes and photos to keep track of their thoughts on different properties.

7. Consider Future Growth and Development
Areas with planned development can be great investments, especially for those looking to airbnb or STR.
My Tip: I discuss future city plans with my clients and how they might impact property values and quality of life.

8. Budget for Additional Costs
There’s more to buying a home than the purchase price.
My Tip: I help my clients understand all the additional costs, like closing fees, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

9. Get a Home Inspection
You want to ensure you’re making a sound investment.
My Tip: I recommend trusted home inspectors and explain the importance of a thorough inspection to uncover any potential issues.

10. Stay Informed and Ask Questions
Feeling confident and informed makes the process much smoother.
My Tip: I encourage my clients to ask questions and keep them updated regularly, providing resources for further reading and education.

11. Plan for the Long-Term
A home is a significant long-term investment. I discuss my clients’ long-term goals and how their home purchase fits into their broader financial plans.

By providing this guidance, I aim to make the home buying experience in Austin as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Watching first-time buyers find their dream home and helping them navigate the process is incredibly rewarding for me as a realtor.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a third-generation realtor, carrying on my family’s legacy in real estate that began long before the era of Zillow and smartphones. Growing up in Austin, I developed a deep passion for this city and its unique homes.

In my practice, I blend a creative, tech-savvy approach with the core values of client focus and genuine care. I strive to empower and educate my clients, treating them as friends rather than sales prospects, and providing support throughout the entire transaction process and beyond.

What sets me apart is my commitment to personalized service and collaboration. Our team is small enough to act quickly yet big enough to leverage powerful resources and connections, ensuring the best outcomes for our clients.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built, turning clients into friends, and my ability to adapt and innovate in a constantly evolving market. If you or someone you know is looking for a home in Austin, I’d love to help more people explore this wonderful city and find their dream home.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Instagram has been one of the most effective platforms for me to connect with potential clients. It allows me to answer questions and provide educational content without being intrusive. This approach helps build trust and rapport, making it easier for clients to reach out when they’re ready to make a move.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to teach myself to take emotion out of transactions. People often forget that realtors are human too, and we can sometimes be turned into the middleman or even a punching bag. This industry can be incredibly tough, so having thick skin and understanding that not everything is personal—or even about you—is crucial. I have had one client who was incredibly rude to me the whole transaction as they were going through a time but I knew it wasn’t actually about me. Clients aren’t the only ones, sometimes I have to work with an agent who doesn’t conduct themselves professionally, swearing on the phone and yelling.. You encounter a lot of different personalities, so you really learn how to navigate that as you stay in this career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.msrealtoratx.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msrealtoratx/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msrealtoratx/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-elizabeth-b54395106/

Image Credits

Lesson Medrano Photography