🏡 Home Buying 101

Hey y’all—Maggie and Christian here! If you're thinking about buying your first home (or maybe you're already knee-deep in Zillow screenshots), we’re so glad you found this post.

Buying a home is exciting—but let’s be real, it can also be a lot. Between contracts, timelines, inspections, and all the real estate lingo, it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we put together this quick guide to walk you through what to expect when buying a home in Texas—from “just browsing” to getting the keys.

🔍 Step 1: Get Pre-Approved

Before we start touring homes, we always recommend chatting with a local lender and getting pre-approved. This gives you a clear idea of what you can comfortably afford and makes your offer stronger when you’re ready to submit one.

💡 Tip: A pre-approval (not just pre-qualification) means the lender has actually reviewed your credit and finances—not just taken your word for it.

We’ve got great local lenders we can connect you with if you need a starting point!

📲 Step 2: Partner With the Right Realtor® (That’s Us!)

In August 2024, a major rule change went into effect following the NAR settlement: buyer agent compensation is no longer advertised in the MLS and is now a fully separate and negotiable agreement.

To be clear—buyer agent compensation has always been negotiable, but that wasn’t always clearly explained to sellers (or buyers) by the industry as a whole. This rule change is forcing more transparency—which we’re 100% in favor of.

So, what does this mean for you?

Before we can show you homes, we’ll walk you through and sign a Buyer Representation Agreement. This lays out how we work together and how our compensation is handled—so you know exactly what to expect from the start.

In many transactions, even since the rule change, the seller still covers the buyer agent commission. But not always. Some sellers are offering less or nothing at all.

👉 That’s where we get creative. In nearly every deal, we’re able to negotiate seller concessions at closing to cover our fee—which means our buyers don’t come out of pocket for our services. And we intend to keep it that way.

When you work with us, you’re not just getting agents—you’re getting strategic partners who know how to navigate the new landscape and protect your bottom line.

🏘️ Step 3: Shop Smart

Once you’re pre-approved and under representation, it’s time to go house hunting! Whether you want a yard for your dog, space for a home office, or a fixer-upper you can make your own—we’ll help you sort through what’s a need vs. a nice-to-have.

We’ll create a custom search (yep, beyond Zillow), schedule showings, and give you the lowdown on each property and neighborhood.

✍️ Step 4: Make an Offer

When you find the one, we’ll help you write a TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale)—which is the standard purchase contract in Texas. We’ll walk you through each section, explain your options, and tailor it to your offer strategy.

You’ll also include earnest money (typically 1% of the price) and an option fee (usually $100–$300) to give you a period of time to back out for any reason during inspections. More on that below 👇

🧰 Step 5: The Option Period (AKA Inspection Time)

If your offer is accepted, congrats—you’re under contract! 🎉
Next comes the option period (usually 5–10 days), where you’ll get a licensed Texas inspector to check out the property’s condition.

We’ll help you schedule it, review the report together, and negotiate any needed repairs or credits with the seller. This is one of the most important steps in protecting your investment.

💵 Step 6: Appraisal, Final Loan Approval & Title Work

Your lender will order an appraisal to confirm the home’s value. Meanwhile, the title company will research the property’s ownership history and issue title insurance (required in TX for most transactions).

We’ll keep tabs on your loan approval progress, make sure documents are moving, and coordinate with the title company every step of the way.

🖊️ Step 7: Closing Day!

Usually about 30 days after going under contract, you’ll head to the title company to sign all final documents (or sometimes sign remotely if allowed). You’ll wire in your down payment and closing costs just before closing—don’t worry, we’ll guide you through it all.

Once everything is signed and the sale is officially funded, we’ll hand over the keys and celebrate 🎉🎉🎉

🧠 A Few Quick Extras to Know:

• Texas is a non-disclosure state, which means final sale prices aren’t public record. But as your agents, we have access to that info through our MLS.

• You can apply for a Homestead Exemption after closing (we’ll send you reminders!).

• It’s smart to budget for moving costs, utility setup, and a few minor repairs when you move in—every home, even new builds, has quirks.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Buying your first home is a big deal—and we’re here to make it feel less scary and way more exciting. With the right prep (and the right people in your corner), it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Have questions about starting the process? Want to grab coffee and talk it through? We’re always happy to help.

📩 Reach out any time—no pressure, just real talk.

Chat soon,
Maggie & Christian
ThatRealtyDuo Group | Brokered by eXp Realty
📞 512-402-3645 | 💌 hello@ThatRealtyDuo.com
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