Home Buyer Guide for DFW and Johnson County

Buying a home in Texas has a lot of moving parts: lenders, option periods, inspections, surveys, title work and closing. This guide walks you through the process step by step, the same way I walk my buyers through it. Bookmark it, and call me whenever a question comes up.

Step 1: Get Pre-Approved

Before you start touring, talk with a lender. A pre-approval tells you what you can comfortably afford and shows sellers you're a serious buyer. Plan to share pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, bank statements and your ID. I'm happy to connect you with trusted local lenders.

Tip: look at the full monthly payment, not just the price. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues and any MUD or PID assessment can change your payment a lot from one neighborhood to the next.

Step 2: Set Your Search Strategy

We'll talk through your must-haves, nice-to-haves, timeline and the areas that fit your commute and budget. Before we tour together, we'll sign a written buyer representation agreement that explains what I do for you and how I'm paid. Then I'll set up a search that alerts you the moment a matching home hits the market.

Start browsing now: search all homes for sale or explore my communities.

Step 3: Tour Homes, Including New Construction

I'll go with you to showings and help you look past the staging: the roof, foundation, drainage, lot, and how the home compares with recent sales nearby. If you're considering a new build, bring me on your very first visit to the model home. Most builders require your agent to be there or registered from the start. See my New Construction page for more.

Step 4: Make a Strong Offer

When you find the one, I'll pull what comparable homes have actually sold for and help you decide on price and terms. In Texas, most resale offers use the TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract. Your offer typically includes:

• Earnest money, held by the title company and credited to you at closing
• An option fee and option period, which gives you the unrestricted right to cancel for a set number of days
• Financing terms, closing date, and any seller contributions toward your closing costs

Step 5: Option Period and Inspections

This is your chance to learn everything about the home. I recommend a general home inspection, and depending on the property, a foundation, roof, pool, septic or well inspection. If the inspection turns up issues, I'll negotiate repairs, a credit or a price adjustment on your behalf before the option period ends.

Step 6: Appraisal, Title and Survey

Your lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home's value. The title company checks for liens and issues a title commitment, and we'll review the survey and any HOA documents. I'll keep track of every deadline and keep you, your lender and the title company in sync.

Step 7: Final Walkthrough and Closing

Before closing, we'll do a final walkthrough to make sure agreed repairs are done and the home is in the expected condition. At closing you'll sign at the title company and get your keys.

Protect yourself from wire fraud: always call the title company at a phone number you know is real before wiring any money. Never trust wiring instructions that arrive only by email.

Step 8: After You Move In

If the home is your primary residence, apply for your homestead exemption with your county appraisal district. It lowers the taxable value of your home. Keep your closing documents, survey and warranty information in a safe place.