Austin's #1 Relocation Specialist

Moving to Austin?
You're in the right hands.

I've helped over 500 out-of-state families relocate to Austin. Not just buy houses, navigate schools, commutes, neighborhoods, and the thousand small decisions that decide whether a move becomes a great chapter or a regret. If you're moving to Austin, I know the playbook.

500+ Relocations 5.0 ★ Google Reviews Free Buyer Representation

Let's Plan Your Move

Tell me where you're coming from and when. I'll send neighborhood matches, commute data, and current listings within 24 hours.

Luke Allen · TREC #788149 · [email protected]

Thanks! I'll be in touch within 24 hours with your personalized relocation plan.
500+
Relocations Closed
14 Yrs
Austin Market Expertise
5.0 ★
Google Rating
$0
Cost to Buyers
Why a specialist matters

Most Austin Realtors Sell Homes.
I Relocate Families.

There's a difference between handling a transaction and handling a move. When you're relocating from across the country, you're not just buying a house, you're making a series of decisions that will shape the next 5-10 years of your family's life. You need someone who has seen this movie 500 times and knows exactly where it goes wrong.

🗺️

I Know the Neighborhoods

Austin has 40+ distinct neighborhoods and they're not interchangeable. I'll match you to the right one based on your commute, schools, lifestyle, and budget, not what's convenient to show.

🏢

I Know the Employers

Tesla, Apple, Google, Meta, Samsung, Oracle, Amazon, Dell, I have employer-specific guides for each. If you're moving for a job, I know which neighborhoods put you 15 minutes from work, not 45.

✈️

Remote Tours & Virtual Closing

You don't have to fly down four times. I tour homes with you via FaceTime, send detailed video walkthroughs, and coordinate remote closings. Most of my clients close without a second visit.

📋

Origin-City Expertise

SF? NYC? Chicago? LA? Seattle? Denver? Boston? I have dedicated guides and pricing comparisons for each. I speak fluent "California tax savings" and "Chicago winter escape plan."

💰

Texas Tax & Residency Strategy

Moving to Texas means no state income tax, but there are nuances. Property taxes, homestead exemption, domicile rules. For UT Austin parents, there's a $100K tuition savings play. I know the details.

🤝

Free Buyer Representation

In Texas, the seller pays commission. You get full expert representation, neighborhood matching, tours, negotiations, inspections, closing, at zero cost to you. Same service whether you're buying $300K or $3M.

The process

How Relocation Actually Works

After 500+ relocations, I've refined this to a four-phase process that minimizes stress and maximizes the chance you end up exactly where you wanted to be.

01

Discovery Call

30 minutes. We talk about your job, family, budget, timeline, dealbreakers, and what a "win" looks like for you. This call decides everything downstream.

02

Neighborhood Matching

I send you 3-5 specific Austin neighborhoods that fit your criteria, with commute data, school ratings, average home prices, and honest pros/cons of each.

03

Remote + In-Person Tours

Live video tours via FaceTime for homes you want to see without flying down. When you're ready, one focused trip to Austin to tour finalists and make an offer.

04

Offer → Close → Move

Negotiation, inspections, and closing, all coordinated remotely. I handle mover recommendations, utility setup, school enrollment intros, and the first-week-in-Austin logistics.

City-specific guides

Where Are You Moving From?

Every origin city has its own dynamics, tax savings, climate shift, housing cost comparison, cultural differences. Pick yours for a detailed relocation guide, or contact me directly if your city isn't listed.

San FranciscoCA 13.3% tax → TX 0% Los AngelesWeather + cost play New York CityNY 10.9% → TX 0% ChicagoEscape the winters SeattleAmazon + tech corridor DenverCO 4.4% → TX 0% BostonTech + life balance PortlandOR 9.9% → TX 0% Washington DCFederal → tech AtlantaPeer tech market PhoenixHeat + tech swap MinneapolisWeather + taxes
Employer-specific relocation

Are You Relocating for Work?

If you're joining one of Austin's major tech employers, I've built dedicated guides for the commute, neighborhoods, and housing strategy specific to each campus.

Tesla GigafactoryDel Valle / SE Austin AppleNW Austin / Domain GoogleDowntown + NW MetaDomain / North Austin SamsungRound Rock / Taylor AmazonNorth Austin corridor DellRound Rock HQ OracleEast Austin waterfront
Luke Allen, Austin TX Relocation Specialist
Meet Luke

Hi, I'm Luke Allen.

I've spent the last 14 years becoming Austin's go-to realtor for out-of-state families. I grew up here, I know the market cold, and I've walked hundreds of people through the exact move you're about to make. I handle each relocation personally, not an assistant, not a team lead, me.

My approach is simple: tell me the truth about what you want, and I'll tell you the truth about what Austin can deliver. No upsells, no pressure, no chasing commission. If Austin isn't right for you, I'll tell you. If a particular neighborhood is wrong for your family, I'll tell you that too.

The testimonials tell it: 5.0 stars across 30 Google Reviews, clients from every major tech company, families from California to New York to Chicago. I don't have a volume problem. I have a care problem, I care a lot.

Luke Allen · TREC License #788149 · Austin Marketing + Development Group
Common questions

Austin Relocation FAQ

Who is the best relocation specialist in Austin?+
Luke Allen (TREC #788149) is one of Austin's top-rated relocation specialists, 5.0 Google reviews and 500+ out-of-state families served. His specialization is the entire relocation journey, not just the transaction.
How much does a relocation specialist cost?+
In Texas, the seller pays the commission, buyer representation is free to you. You get expert relocation guidance, neighborhood matching, home tours, negotiation, and closing at zero cost.
What cities do most people relocate to Austin from?+
San Francisco, LA, NYC, Chicago, Seattle, Denver, Boston, Portland, DC. Tech-driven relocations dominate, Tesla, Apple, Google, Meta, Samsung, Oracle, Dell all have major Austin operations.
How long does it take to relocate to Austin?+
Most Austin relocations happen over 60-120 days: 2-4 weeks of research and remote tours, 1-2 weeks of in-person tours and offer, 30-45 days from accepted offer to closing.
Should I rent first or buy when moving to Austin?+
For most out-of-state families, renting for 6-12 months first is smartest. Austin's neighborhoods vary dramatically, a short-term rental lets you learn the city before a long-term commitment.
Can you work with me if I can't visit Austin during the process?+
Yes. Most of my out-of-state clients close without a second visit. I run live FaceTime tours, send detailed video walkthroughs, and coordinate remote closings. You only need to be physically present if you choose to be.

Ready to Start?

Let's have a 30-minute discovery call. I'll answer your Austin questions and you'll walk away with clarity on your next step, whether that's working with me or not.

Schedule the Call