Austin Real Estate Guru

Is the housing market really cooling—or is it simply returning to a healthier, more balanced pace? In this Summer 2026 Housing Market Update, Lisa Marie Contaldi breaks down what the latest national and Central Texas data actually tells us. From mortgage rates and home prices to inventory levels and buyer opportunities, she separates the headlines from reality and explains what today's market...

In this episode, Lisa Marie Contaldi begins the series Homebuyer’s Seven Greatest Fears with Part One: the fear of losing the house . When buyers find the home that feels like the perfect fit, excitement can quickly turn into fear. What if someone else gets it? What if the deal falls apart? Lisa explains how serious buyers can move from uncertainty to confidence by showing clear intent, financial...

What are the 10 buyer archetypes (Beginning with the letter M) currently existing what is the level of confidence in relation to the housing market?  I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers create memorable housing exper...

This is a discussion about mortgage rates and their Volatility - and it’s basic effects on the current housing market.  Everybody’s talking about Rates today as they cool or /fuel the market. Let me say this is going to be a good year! It just depends upon what kind of buyer you are. I can reassure you that down the road we will see interest rates and homes overall be more affordable when we hit t...

Waiting well -  - ARE YOU A PATIENT WAITER? HOW can you Gain vs Lose from The power of watching and waiting versus reacting.   I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers create memorable housing experiences while reaching t...

Here’s a Quick recap I’m not focusing any numbers or stats in this podcast you hear enough of them from a variety of news and social sources.  Let’s understand that a supply driven market, with adverse reactions from inflation estimates and interest concerns may fixate you on the exact timing of your move. Why not get out of the gate early and approach positive matters with a focus on attaining th...

Is the REAL ESTATE MARKET a TSUNAMI? We are in a market now where there are more People who NEED to buy or sell than those who WANT to buy or sell.  Learn the 10 things Sellers can do to WIN ! I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers...

Lets focus on the facts vs bubbles and crashes.  Inventory is rising but housing is becoming more affordable and if you’re smart you can find opportunities where others experience  chaos.  I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and...

We are starting to see a little shift in the housing market As The old saying  goes... When Rates Rise they take the elevator.. and When they come down they take the steps! I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers create...

   When the market looks sleepy (or paranoid) this is when you should be out pounding the pavement.    Here are 6 quick methods of finding good inventory including off market   I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers cre...

  Beginning of a 5 part series for Buyers. We'll discuss how to be a savvy buyer when the odds or number of participant bidders might be stacked against you ! I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers create memorable...

10 SIMPLE WAYS TO change a house from ordinary to extradordinary.   When comparing homes on the market, What makes a house extraordinary?  I’ll name a few  FRONT EXTERIOR OR FRONT ELEVATION LIGHTING PACKAGE FLOORING AND BASE MOULDING  FRONT ELEVATION 1- Front Door and HARDWARE. Go all the way to welcome a buyer with shiny new door hardware. It screams deferred maintenance when a realtor or buyer h...

A solid look at fundamentals today compared to the Great Recession of 2008, 2009, and 2010 under the counsel of brilliant economists and the Economic Forecasts of Fannie Mae a leading source of mortgage financing in the United States.  I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrat...

DECELERATED APPRECIATION IS NOT DEPRECIATION.  MOST PEOPLE WILL MISUNDERSTAND THIS and think prices are going down.  WRONG.  Listen to this Austin Housing update for October.   I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers cre...

I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers create memorable housing experiences while reaching their financial goals. 
We've all witnessed the incredible transformation of a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin. W...

I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers create memorable housing experiences while reaching their financial goals. 
We've all witnessed the incredible transformation of a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin. W...

I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers create memorable housing experiences while reaching their financial goals. 
We've all witnessed the incredible transformation of a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin. W...

I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers create memorable housing experiences while reaching their financial goals. 
We've all witnessed the incredible transformation of a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin. W...

I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers create memorable housing experiences while reaching their financial goals. 
We've all witnessed the incredible transformation of a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin. W...

Top 10 characteristics Characteristics of Todays Homebuyers  Today I will bring you up to speed on real estate trends The 2020 consumer profile of home buyers and sellers is an annual survey produced by NAR = a trade association called the National Assn of Relators (NAR) .   Here are the highlights t- What does today’s buyer look like  They’re first time buyer = 31%  The buyer is 47 years old They...

IN our last episode WE TALKED ABOUT PRICE PER SQFT.  I consider this a rudimentary approach to snagging the best price for your most valuable investment. Here’s a better way… I call it the WHAT YOU CAN GET THEORY and combine it with the price per square foot approach The top 4 elements of value that a buyer will use to determine value are PRICE  - can I afford it LOCATION - is it close to work, sc...

Let me tell you a story about pricing a unique home in Austin In November 2020 I listed a rare property in a neighborhood (off of Bee Caves Road & Cuernavaca Drive near Austin Lake Estates.  This small affordable section Called Lake Ridge Estates is located blocks from Lake Austin where hippies and lake enthusiasts hung out in their mobile homes in the 60’s.  The important point is that  the c...

Earlier, WE EXPLORED A COMMON QUESTION: Is 2021 the right time to sell?  A constrained housing supply, historically low rates @ 3% or less; and housing prices boasting new highs in and around the Austin area ~ we can assume THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME to sell.  We also explored briefly, your reasons for moving and assume you have worked out an organized a plan of action within your budget to...

To sell or not to sell? Reviewing your true reasons for moving. I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of success stories, helping buyers and sellers create memorable housing experiences while reaching their financial goals. 
We've all witnessed the incredible...

Explaining the fundamentals of housing data keep you up to date on market trends so you can become financially self reliant by making sound investment decisions with your greatest asset - and the American Dream - A Home~    I'm Lisa Marie Contaldi, and my family has proudly called Austin home since the late 80s. Over the course of my career. I've had the privilege of celebrating 100s of...