Texas First-Time Homebuyer Guide for 2022

The New Year is right around the corner, and the past two years have been incredibly uncertain. As prices continue to rise, first-time homebuyers may, understandably, feel uncertain about buying a home in the coming year.

Despite all the economic hurdles, 2021 began with a bang as the Texas housing market saw a big increase in demand. Many homes sold in just 43 days, which was a record.

Will this trend continue through 2022?

If you are a first-time homebuyer in Texas who wants to purchase a home in 2022, this guide is for you.

2022 Guide for First-Time Homebuyers in Texas

Here’s all that you need to know about the process of buying a home for the first time in Texas in 2022.

Find a Mortgage Company

Mortgage lenders include banks, credit unions, online lenders, portfolio lenders, and wholesale lenders. Before deciding on a mortgage company, check their customer reviews, interest rates, and closing costs.

Get Pre-Approved

A first-time homebuyer in Texas, after choosing a lender, should apply for pre-approval. This is important to do before shopping for a home because you will get a better idea of your budget. Moreover, sellers determine a buyer’s seriousness by seeing if they are pre-approved for a home loan or not. Your lender will analyze the following factors before issuing a pre-approval:

Credit score
Capacity
Collateral
Capital

Find a Realtor

Next, it’s time to find a buyer’s agent. You can ask your lender if they have recommendations. It may also be a good idea to ask your friends and family for referrals.

Make an Offer

Take your time to shop around for homes in your area. When you think you’ve found the right one, you’ll want to place an offer. Your real estate agent will help you with this, but it may be a good idea to know what to expect. Here’s what this process entails:

Decide on the amount you want to offer
Tell how much ‘earnest money’ you’re going to give
State legal names of sellers and buyers
Give exact description and address of the home
Establish a closing date
Establish contingencies
List down the material goods seller should leave behind
Note how you are paying for the home
Give a deadline by which the seller should accept the offer

Once the price is negotiated, and the offer is signed, the contract is binding.

Congratulations, You Are Ready to Buy Your First Home!

This guide hopefully made the intricacies of homebuying easier to understand. However, as a first-time homebuyer in Texas, you probably still have some questions. Feel free to reach out to us at any time. We will be happy to assist you and provide you with the advice and information you need.