4 steps to your new home
Buying feels overwhelming when you don't know what happens next. Here's the order it goes in, and what I do at each step.
Before we tour homes together, we'll sign a short agreement that spells out how I work for you and how I get paid, so there are no surprises later.
BUYERS · 4 steps to your new home
Start with your monthly budget.
Tell it what you're comfortable paying each month. It works backward through Houston-area property taxes, MUD or PID fees, HOA dues and insurance to estimate a home price that could fit.
Enter your monthly budget and interest rate to see your price range.
That budget doesn't cover the HOA dues and insurance yet. Try a higher monthly amount.
Not sure about taxes, MUD or HOA? Leave them. I'll look up the real numbers for any home you like.
With less than 20% down, most loans also add mortgage insurance (PMI), which isn't included here, so the real price range would be lower.
Estimate only, not a loan offer or a loan approval. Your lender decides what you qualify for, and each home's real tax, MUD and HOA numbers change the payment.
Opens your email app with your numbers filled in. Nothing is sent until you press send.
Check the flood risk before you fall in love with a house.
In Houston, flooding is part of buying a home. Homes outside the high-risk zones can still flood, as many did during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Here's what to look at, and where you can check any address.
What the flood zones mean
FEMA flood maps put every property in a zone. The most common ones:
- A, AEHigh-risk area, with about a 1% chance of flooding each year (often called the 100-year floodplain).
- V, VEHigh-risk coastal area that also faces storm waves, like parts of Galveston.
- XModerate- to low-risk area. Lower risk, but not no risk.
Flood insurance is separate
A standard homeowners policy doesn't cover flood damage. Flood insurance is its own policy.
If the home is in a high-risk zone, most mortgage lenders will require it.
A new flood policy usually has a 30-day wait before it starts, so get a quote early.
On every home we tour, I point out flood history and anything else that would worry me.
General information, not a flood risk assessment for any property. Always check the specific address.
Buying your first home in Houston
Seven things to do before you start touring houses. Do these first and the rest gets a lot easier.
Read the free guide
- Check your creditPull your free reports and look for mistakes. Fixing an error now can mean a better rate later.
- Pick a monthly payment you can live withCount everything: the loan, property taxes, insurance, and HOA dues. Tax rates vary a lot from one Houston neighborhood to the next.
- Get pre-approved, not just pre-qualifiedA lender who has reviewed your documents gives you a letter that sellers take seriously.
- Save for more than the down paymentYou'll also need money for closing costs, the option fee, earnest money, the inspection, and the move itself.
- Ask about flooding on every houseFind out the flood zone, whether the home has flooded before, and what flood insurance would cost before you make an offer.
- Keep your finances steadyHold off on new credit cards, car loans, and big purchases until after closing. Lenders check again right before you sign.
- Always get an inspectionEven on a newer home. In Houston, pay close attention to the foundation, the roof, and the air conditioning.