The Buying Process
The Buying Process, Step by Step
Once you find the right home, we will guide you through each step of the transaction, keep track of important deadlines, coordinate with the professionals involved, and help you understand the decisions that need to be made along the way.
1. Make an Offer
We will review comparable sales, current market conditions, the property’s history, and any known competition to help you determine an offer strategy.
Price is only one part of an offer. We will also discuss important terms such as financing, earnest money, the option period, closing date, seller contributions, and other terms that may strengthen or protect your position.
2. Go Under Contract
Once you and the seller have agreed to the terms and the contract is signed by all parties, you are officially under contract.
From this point forward, there are important dates and deadlines to manage. We will provide you with a clear timeline, coordinate with the title company, lender, inspectors, and other parties, and keep you updated on what is happening and what comes next.
3. Deposit Earnest & Option Money
In a typical Texas transaction, earnest money and the option fee are delivered to the title company shortly after the contract becomes effective.
Earnest money demonstrates your commitment to the purchase and is generally credited back to you at closing. The option fee provides you with the right to terminate the contract during the negotiated option period, subject to the terms of your contract.
We will explain these amounts, deadlines, and protections before you ever sign an offer.
4. Complete Your Inspections & Due Diligence
The option period is your opportunity to learn as much as possible about the property.
A general home inspection is typically the starting point, but additional evaluations may be appropriate depending on the home. These could include foundation, plumbing or sewer, roof, HVAC, pool, electrical, pest, or other specialized inspections.
We can connect you with trusted inspectors and specialists and help you understand which additional evaluations may make sense for the property.
Once inspections are complete, we will review the findings together and discuss your options under the contract, including whether there are items we should address with the seller.
5. Finalize Financing & Appraisal
If you are financing your purchase, your lender will continue working on your loan while we move through the transaction. It is important to respond quickly to requests for documentation and avoid making significant financial changes without first speaking with your lender.
Your lender will typically order an appraisal to provide an independent opinion of the property’s value. We will stay in communication with you and your lender throughout this process and help address any issues that arise.
6. Review Title, HOA & Property Documents
The title company will research ownership of the property and identify recorded matters that may affect title.
Depending on the property, you may also receive documents such as a survey, seller’s disclosure, HOA information, deed restrictions, or other property specific documents. We will help make sure you receive the appropriate information and understand when additional questions should be directed to the title company, lender, attorney, HOA, or another professional.
7. Secure Homeowners Insurance
If you are financing the property, your lender will require homeowners insurance before closing. Even for cash purchases, insurance is an important part of protecting your investment.
We recommend obtaining quotes early in the process because the property’s age, roof, claims history, flood exposure, and other characteristics can affect both insurability and cost.
If you do not already have an insurance professional, we are happy to connect you with trusted local resources.
8. Prepare for Closing
As closing approaches, your lender and title company will finalize the documents and numbers needed for the transaction.
We will help coordinate the remaining details, confirm important dates, and make sure you know what is needed from you before closing day.
9. Complete Your Final Walkthrough
Shortly before closing, we will walk through the property one final time.
This is our opportunity to confirm that the home is in the expected condition, agreed upon repairs have been completed when applicable, and the property is ready for you to take ownership.
