The ATX Project

🔑 FOR LEASE in South Austin! 🔑

📍 4505 Teri Rd # B – Franklin Park, 78744

Looking for an affordable South Austin home base while you explore your long-term homeownership plans? This updated 2 bed / 1 bath duplex in Franklin Park puts you close to everything.

Highlights include:
🏠 Bright, open living area with vaulted ceilings & recessed lighting
🧱 Concrete floors + modern finishes for easy maintenance
🍳 Kitchen with granite counters & stainless steel appliances
🌳 Private fenced yard with low-maintenance xeriscape landscaping
🧺 Indoor laundry room with washer/dryer hookups
🚗 Easy access to I-35, Hwy 71, the airport, Downtown Austin & Lady Bird Lake

Whether you’re new to Austin or just need a comfortable place to land while you plan your next move, this spot makes day-to-day life (and commuting) a lot easier.

👇 See photos, and full details here:
https://www.jbgoodwin.com/listing/9590312-4505-teri-road-b-austin-tx-78744/

🌟 JUST LISTED in Dripping Springs! 🌟

📍 249 Crimson Sky Ct – Headwaters Community

Dreaming about more space, Hill Country vibes, and an easier commute to Austin? This could be your spot.

This beautiful home in the Headwaters community offers:
🏡 Bright, open-concept living spaces
🧑‍🍳 Modern kitchen that’s perfect for hosting friends & family
🌳 Private backyard with room to create your ideal outdoor retreat
🏞️ Community perks: pool, fitness center, trails, parks, and more

If you’ve been renting and wondering whether it’s time to own in the Austin area, this is a great example of how your monthly payment can start working for you instead of your landlord.

👇 Full details, photos, and tour info here:
https://www.jbgoodwin.com/listing/1586159-249-crimson-sky-court-dripping-springs-tx-78620

✨ Why I Built The ATX Project

A few years ago, I was renting in Austin, watching costs climb, and wondering if homeownership was even realistic. I got obsessed with tiny homes—freedom, affordability, simple living—but the zoning and land hurdles were tough.

Then I noticed something interesting: some homeowners were earning income from unused space (spare rooms, driveways, backyards). Around the same time, I met with a group of investors who introduced me to house hacking—using your primary home to generate rental income. That was my “aha” moment.

💡 What clicked for me (and why it matters)

Homeownership isn’t just a place to live—done right, it can be a wealth-building tool. Part of your payment builds equity every month, potential rental income can offset expenses, and over time you can trade up or turn your first home into an investment.

That realization changed my path. I became a REALTOR® so I could help other Austinites break out of the rent trap and build a plan that fits real life—no hype, just clear steps.

🧰 What you’ll find here:

• Plain-English tips for Austin first-time buyers
• Neighborhood insights, tools, and simple numbers that make buying feel doable
• Creative strategies to help the payment work—and your net worth grow

👉 Curious how this could work for you?

📘 Grab my free ebook — The House Hacking Blueprint: https://info.theatxproject.co/ebook

(Or just hit Follow for simple, no-pressure tips made for Austin first-timers.)

🏢🆚🏠 Should You Rent or Buy in Austin? Here’s the Easy Breakdown

If you’re paying about $2,000/month in rent, that’s roughly $24,000 this year that builds your landlord’s wealth, not yours.

🔑 What changes when you buy?

✅ Part of your payment becomes equity. Think of it like a built-in savings plan.

✅ Your payment stays steady with a fixed-rate loan—no surprise rent hikes.

✅ You can house hack. Rent a room or part of your place to help cover the mortgage.

🧭 When renting still makes sense:

• You’ll move in the next 2–3 years
• You’re building credit or saving up
• You need max flexibility for work or travel

🚀 A simple starter plan:

1. Choose a solid starter home (or duplex).
2. House hack to cut your costs—maybe even live close to free.
3. Let time, equity, and appreciation do their thing.

Bottom line: Renting is an expense. Buying (done right) builds wealth.

👉 Want to see your rent dollars work for you instead?

📘 Download my FREE House Hacking Blueprint and discover a surprisingly simple strategy to cut costs and build equity fast. https://info.theatxproject.co/ebook

📊 🏠 This Week’s Austin Housing & Community News

Here’s your weekly roundup for the Austin housing market—what’s new and why it matters for first‑time buyers, house‑hackers, and entry‑level investors.

🔔 TOP 3 UPDATES:

• Redfin says Austin is now the #1 buyer’s market in the U.S. — In September 2025 the Austin metro had roughly 130% more sellers than buyers, meaning buyers have more choice, fewer bidding wars and stronger negotiation power.

• Renting just got more affordable in Austin. — According to Realtor.com data Austin renters spend about 16.5% of their income on rent, the lowest among major U.S. metros — this signals a shift in market dynamics.

• Growth continues outside central Austin – new retail & jobs in the suburbs. — For example, H‑E‑B opened a major 101,000 sq ft store in Manor off Hwy 290/­FM 973, adding 400+ jobs and supporting the housing demand in that region.

🤔 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU:

• If you’re buying: You’re in a strong buyer’s market, so you might get better terms and more time to shop without the pressure of bidding wars.

• If you’re investing: Lower rent pressure means you’ll have more control over pricing and tenant sourcing, plus more potential supply to choose from.

👉 SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS:

📘 New to the process? Grab the first-time Homebuyer’s Guide for a step-by-step plan: https://info.theatxproject.co/guide

📘 Interested in investing? Grab my FREE ebook: The House Hacking Blueprint — learn the strategy, numbers, and setups that work in Austin: https://info.theatxproject.co/ebook

📍 Want local stats by ZIP? Subscribe to Neighborhood News for monthly, personalized market updates: https://info.theatxproject.co/news

🏠💳 Turn Your Rent Into a Credit-Building, Point-Earning Machine (with Bilt)

If you’re renting today but planning to buy in the next 6–24 months, the Bilt Mastercard is a legit game-changer:

🤔 Why it’s a no-brainer for first-time buyers:

• Build credit from rent: Opt in to Bilt’s Rent Reporting and your on-time rent payments get reported to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—helping you build credit history just by paying your landlord.

• $0 annual fee + points on rent: Earn 1 point per $1 on rent with no rent transaction fee when paying through Bilt.

• Redeem toward goals: Use points for student loans or even a home down payment—Bilt points are valued at 1.5¢ each when redeemed toward closing (e.g., 100k points = $1,500).

• Backed by Wells Fargo: The Bilt Mastercard is issued by Wells Fargo, with popular bonus categories (dining, travel, etc.)

🏆 Why I recommend it:

Strong credit history + responsible card use = better odds of qualifying and potentially better mortgage terms when you’re ready. Bilt helps you use the rent you’re already paying to build credit and bank points—that’s smart pre-approval prep.

👉 Learn more about the Bilt Card here: https://info.theatxproject.co/bilt-card





*(The ATX Project may earn a small referral commission if you apply through this link. This is not a paid promotion—just an honest personal review.)*

The Bilt Mastercard | Earn Up to 100k Points on Rent in a Calendar Year - Bilt Rewards Terms apply. $0 Annual Fee. Earn points on rent, dining, Lyft and travel. Redeem points on leading airlines, hotels, fitness classes and more. Apply today.

🏗️ New Build vs. Resale: Which fits you best?

Both can be great for first-time buyers—here’s a simple way to think about it.

🆕 New Build (brand-new home)

Why people love it:

• Modern layout, energy-efficient, builder warranty
• Pick finishes (in many cases)
• Builders sometimes offer incentives/rate buydowns

Things to consider:

• Often farther out (longer commute)
• Extra costs add up (lot premiums, upgrades, blinds/landscaping)
• Timeline can shift if still under construction

🏡 Resale (existing home)

Why people love it:

• Established neighborhoods, mature trees, closer to amenities
• Usually faster move-in timeline
• More room to negotiate price or seller credits

Things to consider:

• Older systems/roofs/HVAC may need attention
• Higher utilities in some older homes
• Fewer customization options on day one

🧭 Quick chooser

• Pick New Build if you want low maintenance, warranty coverage, and builder incentives—including, in some Austin communities, special mortgage rates below what you might see publicly. The tradeoff is often a farther-out location and a longer/variable timeline if it’s still under construction.

•Pick Resale if you want closer-in location and character, faster move-in, and the ability to negotiate price, repairs, or closing-cost credits to make the numbers work.

👉 New to the process?

📘 Download my First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide — step-by-step tips, checklists, and scripts you can use with lenders and sellers: https://info.theatxproject.co/guide

🏠 House Hacking in Austin: a simple way to offset your mortgage

If you’re renting but dreaming of owning, house hacking is a practical first step. The idea: buy a home you love, and use part of it to generate income so your monthly payment feels lighter (sometimes much lighter).

🤔 How it can look in Austin

• Roommate plan (most common): Buy a 2–3 bedroom place, live in one room, rent the other(s) to trusted roommates.

• ADU / garage apartment: Homes with a back unit or over-garage studio can bring in steady rent while you keep privacy.

• Duplex (live in one, rent the other): Start with a small multi-unit; your neighbor’s rent helps cover the note.

• Short-term room rental: Host a spare room part-time (weekends or events) if your area/HOA allows.

📈 Why it’s powerful

• You’re no longer paying 100% of housing alone—income offsets your payment.

• Part of each month’s payment builds equity

• Over time, rents can rise while your fixed payment stays similar—cash flow improves.

• Later, convert the property to a full rental or use the equity to step up to your next home.

👉 Want a simple, step-by-step guide?

📘 Grab my FREE ebook: The House Hacking Blueprint — learn the strategy, numbers, and setups that work in Austin: https://info.theatxproject.co/ebook