Budget and pre-approval
Start with a monthly payment you are comfortable with rather than a purchase price. In Texas, taxes and insurance are a substantial share of the payment, so a home at the same price can cost meaningfully different amounts month to month depending on jurisdiction and insurance profile.
- Get a written pre-approval, not a verbal pre-qualification.
- Ask the lender to model the payment using a tax estimate based on your purchase price without the seller's exemptions.
- Compare loan estimates from more than one lender on the same day and same scenario.
- Budget separately for the option fee, earnest money, inspections, appraisal, and moving costs.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau publishes neutral explanations of the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure that make lender comparison much easier.
Defining criteria before you shop
Write down three lists: requirements that would end a deal, preferences you would trade, and constraints outside the house itself such as commute ceiling, school considerations, or one-story living. Reviewing this list before each showing prevents decisions driven by finishes.
Comparing areas
San Antonio's areas differ in lot size, age of housing stock, jurisdiction, and access. Drive your commute at the hour you would actually travel, in both directions, on a normal weekday, and note where the route becomes congested. Then read the relevant community guides for orientation, housing profile, and the research links for each area, and use the area match questionnaire if you want a starting shortlist.
Understanding the tax bill
A Texas property tax bill is the sum of rates from every taxing unit that overlaps the parcel — county, city, school district, and sometimes college, hospital, emergency services, or special districts. Look the address up at the appraisal district for its county to see the authoritative list of taxing units and the value history.
Exemptions currently on a parcel belong to the seller. If you will occupy the home as your principal residence, review the residence homestead exemption rules published by the appraisal district and the Texas Comptroller and file your own application when eligible; there is no fee to apply.
Writing an offer in Texas
Most Texas residential resale transactions use contract forms promulgated by the Texas Real Estate Commission. The important negotiated terms go well beyond price:
- Sales price, financing type, and the financing approval terms.
- Earnest money and where it is deposited.
- Option fee amount and the number of days in the termination option period.
- Closing date, possession, and any temporary lease after closing.
- Which title policy costs and survey obligations each party carries.
- Items that convey, and any repairs agreed up front.
Using the option period
The termination option lets a buyer terminate for any reason within a negotiated number of days in exchange for the option fee. It is the window in which almost all investigation should happen. Schedule inspections in the first days, not the last, so there is time to obtain bids and negotiate. Termination notice must be delivered before the deadline. The dedicated option period guide covers the mechanics.
Inspections worth scheduling
| Inspection | When it is typically worth it |
|---|---|
| General home inspection | Essentially always, on both resale and new construction |
| Foundation evaluation | When the general inspector flags movement, or on expansive soils |
| Roof and attic | Older roofs, prior hail exposure, or evidence of past repair |
| HVAC detail | Aging systems, or where cooling load matters for summer costs |
| Sewer scope or septic | Older sewer lines, or any property with an on-site septic system |
| Pool and equipment | Any property with a pool or spa |
| Wood-destroying insect report | Commonly requested, and required by some loan programs |
HOA, survey, and title documents
Ask early for the HOA or POA declarations, bylaws, rules, dues, transfer fees, and resale certificate, plus any PID or MUD assessment information. Read what is restricted: parking, exterior changes, fencing, outbuildings, short-term rentals, and vehicles. Recorded restrictions are filed with the county clerk.
Review the title commitment and its exception documents, and review the survey against the fence lines and improvements you can see. Easements and setbacks determine what you can build later.
Flood and insurance review
Search the address in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center for the flood zone designation, walk the lot for low points and drainage paths, and request an insurance quote early. Standard homeowners policies in Texas generally do not cover flood damage. The Texas Department of Insurance publishes consumer guidance on residential coverage.
From clear-to-close to keys
- Return lender conditions promptly; appraisal and underwriting drive the schedule.
- Avoid new credit, large deposits, or job changes before closing.
- Confirm closing figures and wiring instructions by phone with the title company.
- Do a final walkthrough shortly before closing to verify condition and repairs.
- Bring valid identification and confirm funding timing for possession.
After closing
- File your residence homestead exemption application when eligible.
- Set up or transfer utilities and confirm trash and recycling service.
- Register vehicles and update your driver's license on the state's timeline.
- Store your closing documents, survey, and warranty information together.