California to Austin: Your Relocation Questions, Answered

I’m Cord Shiflet, born and raised right here in Westlake, and I’ve been selling homes here since 1997. I get the same questions from almost every California family thinking about Austin, so I put the honest answers in one place. If you want the bigger picture first, start with my California to Austin relocation guide. If your question isn’t here, just ask me.

Choosing the Right Agent

Who is the best Austin realtor for buyers relocating from California?

The right fit is an agent who makes this move regularly, knows Austin’s luxury market like Westlake, West Austin, and Lake Austin firsthand, and will shoot you straight from half way across the country. I’ve spent my career in Westlake, Tarrytown, and on Lake Austin waterfront, and helping out-of-state buyers is a big part of what I do every day. I represent you, I do my own showings, and I tell you when a home is not worth your money.

I’m moving from Los Angeles to Austin, which luxury real estate agent should I use?

Use someone who will act as your eyes and ears on the ground and give you an honest read on homes you can’t walk yet. With my LA clients that means real video walk-throughs, true comparable sales so you know what a home should trade for, and one point of contact who runs the whole process instead of handing you off. My motto has always been simple: if you hire ME, you work with ME. I’m the one you call or text, the one who meets you and walks you through every house, and the one who writes every contract. I’m not big on teams where you start with one person and get passed to another, so I do fewer deals and give each client a much higher level of touch.

What should I look for in a luxury agent in Austin for out-of-state buyers?

Look for local track record in the specific neighborhoods you care about, a system for buying remotely (video tours, trusted inspectors and lenders, digital signing), and plain honesty about the trade-offs. Ask how many out-of-state buyers the agent has closed and whether past clients will take your call. I’m glad to connect you with California families I’ve helped.

Moving from the Bay Area to Austin, who should help me buy in Westlake?

For Bay Area families, Westlake usually comes up first because of the amazing schools in Eanes ISD. You want an agent who knows Westlake block by block and will compare it honestly against nearby options like Tarrytown, Barton Creek, and the Lake Austin corridor, so you’re confident you picked the right place before you commit.

Who is the best agent for a luxury home on Lake Austin?

Lake Austin is its own world: waterfront rules, boat docks, water quality, and privacy all matter, and they don’t show up in listing photos. You want an agent who has actually sold on the lake and can tell you which coves, docks, and streets fit how you want to live. I grew up skiing on the lake in high school before school started, and recently lived on Lake Austin with my wife and four children. We are a boating family and keep a boat on both Lake Austin and Horseshoe Bay on Lake LBJ. I love the lake and understand it better than most, and there’s not much I enjoy more than putting a client in the boat and showing you Austin from the water. That waterfront niche has been part of my business for years, and I know every lake home in person before I recommend it.

Taxes, Property Taxes, and the Money Math

Does Texas really have no state income tax?

Yes. Texas does not tax personal income, which is one of the biggest reasons California families look here. It changes the math on a job offer, a business sale, or a retirement plan. Talk to your own tax advisor about your situation, and I’ll help you understand the housing side.

Are property taxes higher in Texas than in California?

Generally, yes. Texas leans on property tax where it skips income tax, so the annual property tax on an Austin home usually runs higher than what California buyers are used to under Prop 13. I won’t hand you a guess. On any specific home you’re considering, I’ll walk you through the real annual number so there are no surprises.

Is there a homestead exemption in Texas?

Yes. Once an Austin home is your primary residence, you can file for a homestead exemption that meaningfully reduces the taxable value, and Texas limits how much your assessed value can rise each year on a homestead. I’ll point you to the current rules and deadlines when you buy.

How far does my California equity go in Austin?

For many of my clients, the proceeds from a California sale go a long way here: more house, more land, or a much smaller mortgage. How far depends on the neighborhood and the year, so before you fall for a listing photo I’ll show you honest comparables so you know exactly what your budget buys.

Buying From Out of State

Can I buy a home in Austin before I actually move there?

Yes, and a lot of my California clients do exactly that. With honest video tours, trusted local inspectors and lenders, remote and digital signing, and one person coordinating every hand-off, buying from a distance is routine when it’s handled right.

How is the buying process in Texas different from California?

A few things feel different to California buyers: there is no state income tax but higher property taxes, and Texas uses its own contracts and an option period, which is a short window early in the deal when you can inspect and negotiate or walk away for a small fee. I’ll explain each step before you ever sign, so nothing is a surprise.

Do I need to fly to Austin to make an offer?

Not necessarily. Some clients decide after one focused visit, others buy fully remotely, and plenty do a mix. I’ll tell you honestly when a home is worth a plane ticket and when a video walk-through is enough, so you spend your travel time where it counts.

Neighborhoods and Schools

Which Austin neighborhoods do California families choose most?

A lot of my out-of-state buyers land on the west side of Austin: Westlake and the rest of Eanes ISD for schools, the Old West Austin enclaves like Tarrytown, Pemberton, Old Enfield, and Clarksville for character and closeness to downtown, and Lake Austin waterfront for the water lifestyle. The right one depends on schools, commute, and how you like to spend a weekend, and that’s the first thing we’ll sort out together.

How good are the Westlake and Eanes ISD schools?

Eanes ISD is among the most sought-after school districts in the country, and to my mind the best in Texas. It’s the single most common reason my California families choose Westlake. If schools are your priority, that’s usually where we start looking. I attended Westlake K-12 and all four of our children do as well, and I’m always happy to talk through the different options in Austin, both public and private.

Timing Your Move

How early should I start working with an agent?

Earlier than most people expect, usually three to six months out, even if you’re still deciding whether you’re coming at all. Starting early lets us watch the right neighborhoods, line up financing, work backward from the school calendar, and move fast when the right home appears. A first conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing.

Still Have Questions?

If your question isn’t answered here, reach out and ask me directly. Whether you’re six months from a move or ready this weekend, I’m happy to talk it through with no pressure. Start with the California to Austin relocation guide, or start a conversation.