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💋Steph Douglass | Austin Real Estate

@stephinvests

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CEO & Broker | @openhouse_austin
Real Estate Investing Since 2013
@abor_realtors Policy Ambassador
Unprofessional Athlete + Big Sister Energy

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Some nights I’m sitting at a dinner table full of people I love, listening to the laughter bounce off the walls of someone’s home, and I think... this is it. This is why.

I started Open House Austin in 2019 because I believed that real estate could feel different. That it could feel like people actually care about you. That the service you receive shouldn’t depend on your price point, your zip code, or how many times you’ve done this before.

It hasn’t always been easy. There were years that tested me in ways I didn’t see coming. Moments I wasn’t sure we’d make it to the other side. But we did. And I am so, so proud of how we got here.

Because what we’ve built isn’t just a brokerage. It’s a community. It’s the couple firing up the grill in a backyard they never thought they could afford. It’s the first-time buyer who finally understands what they’re signing. It’s the family turning a house into a home, string lights and all, making memories that will outlast the mortgage.

That’s what real estate actually is. Not transactions. Not commissions. The BBQs and the dinner parties and the backyard projects and the neighbors who become your people.

Open House Austin exists to help you have the life you deserve.

We are here to do this differently. And honestly, we’re just getting started. The growth that’s coming, the people we’re going to serve, the homes that are going to come alive because of this community... I am fired up in a way I haven’t been able to put into words until right now.

Thank you for being part of this. From the bottom of my heart. Here’s to what’s next.

Photos: @kayceephotography_
Styling: @lucibingo @rachelleinhell
Venue: @carypaulstudios @magicarchitecture
Branding: @workwithpicnic taken in Austin, Texas by @stephinvests

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6 months ago

Can you afford to buy a house if you are drinking $8 coffees multiple times a week? ☕ We are back at it for Coffee and Keys episode two.

Last week we covered the bare minimum you need to qualify. This week we are talking about what you can actually afford, because those two things are not always the same.

Your lender will approve you for the maximum amount you qualify for. That does not mean you should spend it. We break down the 27% rule, why inflation has made that conversation more personal than ever, and what questions to ask yourself before you decide on a number that actually works for your life.

Follow along for episode three next week and drop your questions in the comments. 🔑 taken in Austin, Texas by @stephinvests

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2 days ago

Can I just say one thing? CURTAIN TRACKS!

The only real way to hang curtains imo. They attach to your ceiling and they add so much dimension to the room. If the ceiling isn’t an option, they can also attach to the wall. The last step of steaming the curtains though….. it will just never happen. taken in Austin, Texas by @stephinvests

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4 days ago

Looking for a cute day trip in Central Texas? The @texrenfest is a 2.5hr drive from Austin and totally worth the trip. You MUST dress up and you MUST eat a turkey leg. Otherwise, it’s choose your own adventure. Highly recommend Premium parking. No to the escape room, maybe to the pub crawl, meh to the jousting and YES to the kettle corn. taken in Texas Renaissance Festival by @stephinvests

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5 days ago

Craving a soak? @ottine_mineral_springs is 100% worth the drive. Pools of different temps, cold plunge, sauna + food and bev. A perfect country drive from Austin. If you’ve been meaning to make the trip, this is your sign 💦 taken in Ottine Mineral Springs by @stephinvests

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7 days ago

Episode one of Coffee and Keys is here and we are kicking it off at Civil Goat. ☕🔑

We are starting this series with the four things you need before you can even begin the home buying process.

If you watched and checked all four boxes, you might be closer to buying than you think. And if one gave you pause, now you know exactly what to work on first.

Drop your questions in the comments and follow along so you do not miss episode two next week. 🏡 taken in Austin, Texas by @stephinvests

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8 days ago

This is a joke, I actually judge people by 2/3 of these things 😅😇 but really, preservation > bulldozing - I know it’s not alwaaaays possible, but let’s give it a whirl. Make Austin Charming Again 😜 taken in Austin, Texas by @stephinvests

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9 days ago

@awakeyreiki blew me away - will be going back regularly and be prepared to receive a reiki session as a gift from me because you can’t know how good it feels until you go. Thank you Sam ❤️ taken in Austin, Texas by @stephinvests

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10 days ago

Always with the dirty camera lens!

A quick Austin home renovation transformation for ya. I bought this house in 2018 when the real estate market was very similar to what it is now. As each year of homeownership passes, it makes more and more sense. Equity is building, tax write-offs abound and the flexibility of owning makes life more exciting. I can rent it out if I leave or for all the festivals Austin has to offer. Financial flexibility is what im after and owning makes that possible for me. taken in Austin, Texas by @stephinvests

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11 days ago

This is what $379k gets you INSIDE Austin city limits right now. 👀

4703 Candletree. 3 beds, 2 baths, and incredible access to Austin - Not Kyle. Not Hutto. Austin.

Here’s what nobody’s saying loudly enough: prices in the city are lower than they’ve been in years. Sellers are negotiating. Rates have people sitting on the sidelines. And that’s exactly when the scrappy ones make their move.

If you’ve been waiting for “the right time” to buy in Austin, this is what the right time looks like. It doesn’t feel exciting. It feels quiet. That’s the point.

Whether you want to live here or rent it out, a price point like this in city limits doesn’t stick around once the crowd comes back.

DM me “CANDLETREE” for the details or a showing. 🔑

Follow @stephinvests for real Austin market talk, no fluff.

Steph Douglass, Broker | Open House Austin

#austinrealestate #austinhomes #austintx #firsttimehomebuyer #realestateinvesting womeninrealestate austinrealtor buyersmarket atx taken in Austin, Texas by @stephinvests

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12 days ago

I wanted a warm olive color for the main living space, but with the black wood floors, I was a little worried about it being too dark. If I’ve learned anything on my journey toward actually using paint, it’s to always go darker than you think. I used @sherwinwilliams Umber to color drench the whole space and I couldn’t love it more ☺️ taken in Austin, Texas by @stephinvests

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15 days ago

LYNN Renovation Update, Finally! This house has held so much of my story.

I bought Lynn St in 2018 and rebuilt it from the ground up, pouring everything I had into it. It was one of those projects that changed me, and I’ve watched it carry so many seasons of life since.

But somewhere along the way it lost a little of its warmth. White walls, tired decor, a house that was beautiful but quiet.

So we gave it its heartbeat back. Moody color, rich textures, pieces that feel like a hug when you walk in. Standing in these rooms again, I got a little emotional. It feels like coming home to an old friend who’s finally herself again.

Thank you, Lynn St. For everything you’ve been and everything you’re about to be. 🤎 taken in Austin, Texas by @stephinvests

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16 days ago