# The Austin Local Group: Mike Vilece, Compass Real Estate > Austin, TX real estate agent with 20+ years in Austin, 11 years licensed, $150M+ in > closed volume, and 200+ transactions. Buyer representation, seller strategy, > relocation, and investment property across central Austin. - **Agent:** Mike Vilece, licensed Texas real estate agent - **Brokerage:** Compass Real Estate, Austin, TX - **Email:** mike.vilece@compass.com - **Website:** https://theaustinlocalgroup.com - **Serves:** Austin, Texas and surrounding central-Austin neighborhoods --- ## About Mike I'm Mike Vilece, a licensed Texas real estate agent with Compass and founder of The Austin Local Group. I work with buyers, sellers, investors, and relocators who want straight answers, not a sales pitch. I know which schools are actually good, which neighborhoods are quietly on the move, an abundance of off-market opportunities at all times, and who to call to get into them. Perhaps most importantly, where you're eating your next meal. Specializing in Downtown, East Austin, South Austin, Deep South Austin, Westlake, Hyde Park, and beyond. I cover Austin from the street level. You tell me what you're looking for and I'll find it. | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | Years in Austin | 20+ | | Years licensed | 11 | | Closed volume | $150M+ | | Transactions | 200+ | --- ## Services ### 01 · Buyer Representation From first look to close: pre-approval strategy, neighborhood matching, competitive offers, inspections, and negotiation. I help you move fast in a competitive market without overpaying or missing red flags. ### 02 · Seller Strategy Strategic pricing based on real comps, professional staging, targeted marketing across MLS, social, and my buyer network. We get you to the table with serious buyers, not tire-kickers. ### 03 · Relocation Moving to Austin from out of state? I'll give you an honest lay of the land, schools, commutes, lifestyle fit, property taxes, and which neighborhoods match your budget and priorities. ### 04 · Investment Properties Rental yields, appreciation potential, and market timing for Austin residential investors. I analyze the numbers and find opportunities, including off-market deals most agents don't see. --- ## Neighborhoods & service areas Every part of Austin has its own feel, its own price dynamics, its own quirks. Full detail: [/service-areas.md](/service-areas.md) | Neighborhood | ZIP | | --- | --- | | Downtown Austin | 78701 | | East Austin | 78702 | | SoCo & Bouldin Creek | 78704 | | South Lamar | 78745 | | Westlake | 78746 | | Hyde Park | 78751 | | Crestview & Brentwood | 78756 | | Northwest Hills | 78731 | | UT Area & Bryker Woods | 78705 | --- ## Frequently asked questions ### Is now a good time to buy a house in Austin? Austin's market shifts constantly by neighborhood and price point. In 2025–2026, inventory has stabilized in many areas, giving buyers more negotiating room than the peak years of 2021–2022. Homes under $600K in popular areas like South Lamar and East Austin still move fast, while luxury properties above $1M give buyers more time. The best time to buy depends on your situation: I help clients evaluate current conditions against their timeline and goals. ### What should I know before relocating to Austin? Property taxes are higher than most states (but there's no state income tax). Neighborhoods vary dramatically in feel and price within just a few miles. School districts matter enormously for home values. I help relocators understand the real trade-offs between areas like Westlake (top schools, luxury), East Austin (creative energy, walkable), and South Lamar (value, great access), plus commute patterns, lifestyle fit, and budget matching. ### How do I choose the right real estate agent in Austin? Look for three things: local expertise with recent sales in your target neighborhoods, a clear communication style, and proven results. Ask about their average days on market and transaction count. I've been a licensed agent for 11 years and an Austin resident for 20+ years, with 200+ transactions and $150M+ in volume. I specialize in knowing Austin at the street level, which blocks are quiet, which are about to move, and where the off-market deals are. ### What are the best neighborhoods in Austin to buy a home? It depends on your priorities. For top-rated schools and luxury: Westlake (78746) and Northwest Hills (78731). For walkability and culture: East Austin (78702) and Hyde Park (78751). For strong value and great access: South Lamar (78745) and Crestview (78756). For urban living: Downtown (78701) and SoCo (78704). Every neighborhood has trade-offs. I help match the right area to your actual priorities. ### How long does it take to sell a house in Austin? The average Austin home sells in 30–50 days from listing to closing. Properly priced homes in areas like Travis Heights, Mueller, and Crestview can go under contract within 1–2 weeks. Luxury properties above $1.5M typically take 60–90 days. My listings average faster than the Austin median because I focus on strategic pricing and targeted marketing from day one. ### What does a real estate agent charge in Austin? Commission typically ranges from 5–6% of the sale price, split between buyer's and seller's agents. Since August 2024, buyers sign representation agreements upfront and compensation is negotiable. I'm transparent about costs from the start. For buyers, my representation often costs nothing additional out of pocket because seller-offered compensation typically covers it. --- ## What clients say > "Mike was straight with us from day one. Didn't sugarcoat anything. We knew > exactly what to expect and got exactly what we wanted." >Sarah T., Buyer > "We had offers in four days. Mike priced it right, got us ready fast, and the > whole thing was as smooth as it could possibly be." >James & Claire R., Sellers > "Moving from out of state, I needed someone who actually knew Austin. Mike > knew every neighborhood, every trade-off. Huge difference." >David K., Relocation Buyer --- ## Get in touch Whether you're ready to move now or just starting to think about it, reach out. No pressure, no pitch. Just a real conversation. - **Email:** mike.vilece@compass.com - **Brokerage:** Compass Real Estate · Austin, TX - **Contact form:** https://theaustinlocalgroup.com/#contact Full contact detail, including the form fields: [/contact.md](/contact.md) --- *The Austin Local Group · Mike Vilece · Compass Real Estate · Austin, TX. Equal Housing Opportunity. Machine-readable index: [/llms.txt](/llms.txt) · Agent guide: [/AGENTS.md](/AGENTS.md)*