Moving From California to Austin? Let's Make It the Easy Part.

Every week I hear some version of the same thing: “We’re leaving California, Austin is the place, but we have no idea where to start.” I get it. You’re not just buying a house. You’re moving your family, your work, and your whole life half way across the country before you’ve had a chance to spend any real time here.

That’s exactly the move I’ve helped people make for years. I’m Cord Shiflet. I’ve been selling Austin homes since 1997, and for the last several years a big part of my week is walking California families through this move: the neighborhoods, the numbers, and the parts nobody warns you about. My job is simple: make this the easy part.

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Why So Many California Families Are Landing in Austin

You already know the headlines: no state income tax, a strong job market, room to breathe. What surprises most of my California clients is how much of their lifestyle actually transfers, and how far their equity goes once it gets here.

The people I work with tend to want three things: great schools, a real sense of community, and a home that feels like an upgrade, not a compromise. In West Austin, whether that’s Westlake, Tarrytown, or Lake Austin waterfront, that’s exactly what’s on the table. It’s the part of town I’ve built my career in, and it’s where most of my out-of-state buyers end up putting down their Texas roots.

How I Help You Buy a Home Before You Even Move

A lot of California clients buy their Austin home before they live here full-time. That only works when someone on the ground is genuinely looking out for you. Here’s how I run it:

I’m your eyes on the ground

I walk homes for you on video, honestly: the good, the bad, and the “you do not want to hear the highway from the backyard.” You get my real read, not a sales pitch.

We move at the speed of your life, not the market’s

Some clients want to fly in for one focused weekend and decide. Others take months. Both are fine. I’ll tell you when a home is worth a plane ticket and when it isn’t.

I handle the hand-offs

Inspectors, lenders, title, movers, the school district paperwork. I’ve got trusted people for all of it, and I quarterback the whole thing so you’re not managing a dozen strangers from another time zone.

Trust is the whole job here. You’re making a big decision on a lot of my word, so I don’t waste it.

What Your California Equity Actually Buys in Austin

This is the conversation California buyers most want to have, so let’s be straight about it.

No Texas state income tax. Texas doesn’t tax personal income, which changes the math on everything from a job offer to a retirement plan. What you’ll want to plan for instead is property tax, which runs higher here than in most of California. I’ll walk you through the real annual number on any home you’re considering, not a guess.

Your equity travels well. Many of my clients sell their California home and find that the proceeds go remarkably far in Austin: more house, more land, or simply a lot less mortgage. Where you land depends on the neighborhood and the year, so I’ll show you honest comparables before you fall for a listing photo.

Timing the two sales. Selling there and buying here at the same time is the part that stresses people out, but it doesn’t have to. We’ll map the timeline together, including bridge options and rent-back arrangements, so you’re never forced to make a bad decision because of a calendar.

The West Austin Neighborhoods California Buyers Love

Westlake & Eanes ISD

If schools are driving your move, this is usually where the conversation starts. Eanes ISD is among the most sought-after districts in the country, and to my mind the best in Texas. Westlake gives you that combination of top schools, privacy, and quick access into the city.

Lake Austin Waterfront

For clients who want the water, boat-dock lifestyle, and true resort-at-home living, Lake Austin is one of the most special addresses you can aspire towards.

Pemberton / Old Enfield / Tarrytown / Clarksville & West Austin

Close to downtown, tree-lined, and full of character. These Old West Austin enclaves, Pemberton, Old Enfield, Tarrytown, and Clarksville, suit buyers who want walkability and city access without giving up space.

Not sure which fits? That’s the first thing we’ll figure out together.

When Should You Actually Start?

Earlier than you think. The California families who have the smoothest moves usually reach out three to six months before they want to be in a home, even if they’re still deciding whether they’re coming at all.

Starting early means we can watch the right neighborhoods, line up your financing, work backward from the school calendar if you have kids, and be ready to move fast when the right home shows up. There’s no cost and no pressure to a first conversation. A lot of my clients spend a season just getting educated before they ever make an offer.

California-to-Austin Questions I Hear the Most

Who’s the best Austin realtor for buyers relocating from California?

You want someone who does this move regularly, knows Westlake and West Austin cold, and will be honest with you from a distance. I’ve spent my career in Westlake, Tarrytown, and on Lake Austin waterfront, and guiding out-of-state buyers is a big part of what I do every week.

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

Look for an agent who’ll be your eyes on the ground and tell you the truth about a home you can’t stand in yet. That’s exactly how I work with my LA clients: honest video walk-throughs, real comparables, and one point of contact who runs the whole process. My motto has always been: if you hire ME, you work with ME. I appreciate a close 1:1 relationship with my clients, and I pride myself on being the one you personally call or text with questions. I’m 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 talking to someone and get handed off to someone else. I try to do fewer deals and focus on a much higher level of touch than what you’ll experience with a lot of agents. I’m a bit of an old-dog when it comes to high end personal service.

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

Yes. Most of my California clients do. With honest video tours, trusted local inspectors and lenders, and someone coordinating every hand-off, buying remotely is routine when it’s done right.

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

Westlake and Eanes ISD are where many of my Bay Area families land, usually for the schools. I’ll help you compare Westlake honestly against nearby options so you’re confident before you commit.

How is buying in Texas different from California?

The two biggest differences California buyers feel are no state income tax and higher property taxes (I’ll give you the real annual numbers), plus a faster, more relationship-driven transaction. I’ll walk you through all of it before you ever sign anything.

Why Clients Trust Me With This Move

I’m born and raised right here in Westlake. My dad is an architect who built homes here, my mom sold real estate here, and I learned these streets by driving them, so when I say I know this place like the back of my hand, I mean it. I’ve been selling Austin homes since 1997, and I’ve been the #1 individual real estate agent in Austin for 15 years running, according to the Austin Business Journal. But the number that matters most for you is smaller than that: the count of California families who now call Austin home because we did this together, and who would take your call to tell you about it.

Let’s Start With a Conversation

No pressure, no commitment, just a real conversation about where you are, what you’re looking for, and whether Austin is the right move. Whether you’re six months out or ready this weekend, the best time to reach out is now.

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