Home Buying 101 Texas -

Get a pre-approval letter from a lender. This shows sellers you are a serious buyer in competitive markets like San Antonio or Fort Worth.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs provides "My First Texas Home" loans with competitive interest rates. 5. Appraisal and Closing

You pay a small fee (e.g., $100–$500) for the right to terminate the contract for any reason within a set window (usually 7–10 days). home buying 101 texas

Your lender will require an appraisal to ensure the home is worth the loan amount. If the appraisal comes in low, you may need to negotiate the price or cover the "appraisal gap" in cash.

Before looking at houses, you need to know what you can afford. Texas has no state income tax, but it does have some of the highest property tax rates in the country. Get a pre-approval letter from a lender

Typically range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price. 2. Find a Texas-Licensed Realtor

In most cases, the seller pays the commission for both agents, meaning professional representation often costs the buyer nothing out of pocket. 3. The "Option Period" & Inspections If the appraisal comes in low, you may

Use this time to hire a licensed inspector. In Texas, checking the foundation and HVAC system is critical due to shifting clay soils and extreme summer heat. 4. Texas Homebuyer Programs