How to Buy a Home in Texas
Buying a home is exciting, but it can also feel like a lot of moving parts, especially if you are new to the process or new to the state. From figuring out your budget to understanding what happens between contract and closing day, the best way to feel confident is to follow a clear plan.
This guide breaks down the steps to buying a house in Texas in a simple, practical order, with tips that apply for buying a new home in thriving Texas communities across the Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio metros.
Step 1: Get clear on your “why” and your timeline
Before you open a home search site, take 20 minutes to define what you are really shopping for.
Start with these questions:
• How long do you plan to stay in the home?
• What monthly payment range feels comfortable, not just possible?
• What matters most: commute time, schools, outdoor space, a home office, or room to grow?
• Are you looking for something move-in ready now, or are you open to building?
In Texas, there are many choices of communities including master-planned communities with amenities, trails, and gathering spaces. With new construction, your timeline may include selecting finishes and waiting for construction, or you may choose a quick move-in home that is already underway.
Step 2: Build a realistic budget that goes beyond the down payment
One of the biggest mistakes first-time buyers make when buying a house in Texas is focusing only on the home price. What you truly need to budget for is the full monthly cost of ownership.
A strong Texas homebuying budget should consider:
• Down payment
• Closing costs
• Homeowners insurance
• Property taxes (which can be a significant part of the monthly payment in many areas)
• HOA dues, if applicable
• Utilities and maintenance
• Moving costs and immediate purchases (appliances, blinds, lawn equipment, furniture)
A helpful rule of thumb is to choose a monthly payment that still leaves room for savings and life. If your payment stretches you too thin, the home can quickly feel stressful instead of rewarding.
Step 3: Check your credit and organize your documents early
When you are thinking about how to buy Texas real estate efficiently, preparation saves time and reduces surprises.
Before you talk with a lender, pull your credit reports and look for:
• Errors you can dispute
• Credit card balances that could be paid down
• Recent late payments that need explanation
Then gather documents most lenders request:
• Recent pay stubs and W-2s (or tax returns if self-employed)
• Bank statements
• ID and proof of residency
• Documentation for any large deposits
This step is not glamorous, but it is one of the most important parts of buying property in Texas smoothly.
Step 4: Get pre-approved, not just pre-qualified
Pre-approval gives you real buying power. It typically includes a lender review of your credit, income, and assets, and results in a letter that helps you shop with confidence.
When comparing lenders, ask about:
• Interest rate options and rate locks
• Estimated closing costs
• Loan programs you may qualify for (conventional, FHA, VA, and others)
• Expected timeline from application to closing
If you are exploring new construction, it can be especially helpful to discuss how the financing timeline works for a home that may be completed in the future versus a quick move-in home.
Step 5: Choose the right professionals for your purchase
Even if you are an experienced shopper, homebuying goes better with the right team. Depending on what you are buying, your team may include:
• A real estate agent
• A lender or mortgage broker
• A home inspector
• A title company
• Your insurance agent
When buying new construction, you will also work closely with the builder’s sales team. Many buyers still choose to have their own agent to help them compare communities, review paperwork, and advocate for their priorities.
Step 6: Decide what type of home fits your life right now
This is where the process gets personal. In Texas, buyers often weigh two paths: resale homes or new construction.
Resale homes can offer mature landscaping and established areas. New construction can offer modern layouts, energy-efficient features, and the chance to choose design details that reflect your style.
If you are exploring new construction in the Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, or San Antonio areas, you may also notice that many communities are designed for the way people live today, with open-concept gathering spaces, flexible rooms, and options for multigenerational living.
Step 7: Tour homes and communities with a plan
Tours go best when you know what you are evaluating. Bring a checklist and track the details that matter.
Pay attention to:
• Layout flow and storage
• Natural light and window placement
• Kitchen functionality (counter space, pantry, island size)
• Bedroom placement (especially if you work from home or have young children)
• Outdoor living space
• Commute routes and daily conveniences
When touring new home communities, also ask about:
• Included features versus upgrades
• Lot availability and homesite size
• HOA guidelines
• Estimated completion timelines for homes under construction
Step 8: Make an offer, or sign a new construction contract
Your agent will typically help you submit an offer that includes price, financing type, and key timelines. In fast-moving markets, you may be competing with other buyers, so strong pre-approval and clear terms matter.
For new construction, the process often involves a purchase agreement with the builder, along with your selections and any options you choose. If the home is not yet complete, there may be milestone updates and a final walkthrough closer to closing.
Do not rush this step. Read what you are signing and ask questions until you understand the timeline and responsibilities.
Step 9: Complete inspections and negotiate, when appropriate
Home inspections are a major checkpoint. A home inspector will evaluate the property’s major systems and identify issues that may need repair or further evaluation.
For new construction, inspections can still be valuable. Many buyers choose:
• A pre-drywall inspection (before the walls are closed)
• A final inspection before closing
The goal is not to “find something wrong.” The goal is to understand the home you are buying and make sure it meets expectations before you close.
Step 10: Appraisal and underwriting: the behind-the-scenes phase
Once you are under contract, your lender moves into underwriting. This is where they verify the details of your financial profile and the property value.
You can help this step move faster by:
• Responding quickly to document requests
• Avoiding new credit inquiries (no new furniture financing yet)
• Not making large unexplained deposits or moving money between accounts without documentation
• Keeping your employment stable, if possible
The lender will also order an appraisal for most mortgage types. The appraisal confirms whether the home value supports the loan amount.
Step 11: Prepare for closing costs and final details
Closing costs in Texas commonly include lender fees, title services, escrow funding, and prepaid items like insurance and taxes. Your lender will provide a Closing Disclosure before closing that outlines the final numbers.
Use this time to:
• Review your Closing Disclosure carefully
• Confirm how much cash you need to bring to closing and the acceptable method
• Finalize homeowners insurance
• Set up utilities and plan your move based on your closing date
Step 12: Final walkthrough and closing day
The final walkthrough is your chance to verify the home’s condition before you sign. For resale homes, you will confirm repairs (if negotiated) and that the home is in the agreed-upon condition. For new construction, you will verify that the home is complete, clean, and ready, and you will note any final items that need attention.
Closing day typically involves signing the final documents at the title company. Once everything is complete and the transaction is funded, you will receive your keys and officially become a Texas homeowner.
A few Texas-specific tips to keep in mind
As you move through the steps to buying a house in Texas, here are a few practical reminders that can make the process easier:
• Property taxes matter. Ask for estimates early so your monthly payment does not surprise you later.
• Insurance varies by region. Shop around and confirm coverage requirements.
• Keep your budget flexible. Even a well-planned purchase can come with moving expenses or early home needs.
• Stay responsive during underwriting. Fast answers keep your closing timeline on track.
Bringing it all together
If you have been wondering about buying a house in Texas, the process becomes much more manageable once you break it into clear steps: budget, pre-approval, home search, contract, inspections, financing, and closing.
And if you are exploring new construction in Texas, it helps to choose a builder known for thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, and a strong customer experience. Coventry Homes builds new homes across the Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio areas, with communities in many of the places buyers are most excited about calling home, from growing suburbs to master-planned neighborhoods designed for modern living.
No matter where you are in your journey, the most important step is the next one. With a plan, the right partners, and a budget you feel good about, buying property in Texas can be a confident, rewarding move.
Categories: Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Texas