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…
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.
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Pre-qualification and pre-approval say different things to a Texas seller’s agent. Here is what each letter communicates and why the difference matters when you are making offers.
Texas closing costs run 2% to 5% of the purchase price, but not every line item is fixed. I walk through what’s standard, what’s negotiable, and how buyers can reduce what they pay at closing.
More than two-thirds of Texas homes sold below list price in 2026. I break down the concessions buyers are winning and how to negotiate them in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
Texas’s 2026 homestead exemption removes $140,000 from your appraised value for school district taxes. Here is who qualifies, how to file at any Texas county appraisal district, and what most new owners miss.