I am Anthony Ferrando, a mortgage loan originator based in Austin, and one of the questions I hear most often from buyers relocating to Texas from other states is some version of: “I heard Texas has high property taxes. How high are we talking?” The answer depends entirely on which county you are buying in,…
The average Texas home purchase generates 100 to 150 pages of documents at the closing table. Here’s what to bring, what you’ll sign, exactly how money moves, and when you walk out with keys.
Texas handles title insurance differently than most states, with the seller typically paying the owner’s policy. Here’s who pays what, what each policy covers, and why skipping the owner’s policy is a risk most Texas buyers shouldn’t take.
Key Takeaways Earnest money in Texas is typically 1 percent of the purchase price, deposited with the title company within 3 business days of contract execution. The option fee and earnest money are two separate deposits with different rules; the option fee is non-refundable, earnest money is protected by contract contingencies. The Texas option period…
Key Takeaways Lenders qualify self-employed borrowers on net income from federal tax returns, not gross revenue or bank deposits. Sole proprietors: net profit from Schedule C averaged over 24 months, plus allowable addbacks. S-corp and partnership owners: W-2 income plus K-1 share of business income, plus depreciation addbacks. Declining year-over-year income triggers additional scrutiny and…
Texas conventional loans offer four main down payment tiers, from 3% to 20%, and each one carries different costs, PMI obligations, and qualification requirements. Here’s the breakdown.
Flood zones in Harris County affect your mortgage costs and insurance requirements. Here is what Houston buyers need to know before making an offer in 2026.
The Loan Estimate is one of the most important mortgage documents you will receive. Here is what every line means for Texas buyers in plain language.
Texas buyers often confuse property surveys with home inspections. Here is what each one examines, who orders it, and how much each typically costs across Texas.
Fort Worth is a different mortgage market than Dallas. Tarrant County property taxes, builder activity, and loan specifics deserve their own breakdown before you make an offer.