Blog
If your New Year’s resolution is to buy a home, Realtor.com®’s #1 recommendation is to start the process early in the year.
Their reasoning is this: after comparing the number of listings to the number of home buyers, they found that buyers who start their search in January or February face less competition with nearly the same number of homes.
Buying a home can be a very complicated process, so TSAHC has created a checklist to help you determine if you are ready to buy a home. By following this checklist, you can be prepared to act when the perfect home comes along.
Below is an outline of each of the steps:
- Step 1: Get Educated. Take a home buyer education course to make sure you are ready to buy a home. Visit the Texas Financial Toolbox to find a quality home buyer education course in your area.
- Step 2: How Much Can You Afford? Create a budget with a mortgage payment that is comfortable for you. To see if you qualify for a down payment grant or other assistance through TSAHC, take our Eligibility Quiz.
- Step 3: Get Pre-Approved. Contact a lender for a loan pre-approval to confirm how much you can afford.
- Step 4: What Kind of Home to Buy? Make a list of features you need and want in a home.
- Step 5: Shop for a Home. Take your time, look at many homes, take notes and ask questions.
- Step 6: Make an Offer. Work with your REALTOR® to submit a signed proposal specifying the purchase price, terms and conditions to the seller.
- Step 7: Get a Home Inspection. A home inspector will examine the home’s condition and alert you to any issues that may be present.
- Step 8: Apply for a Mortgage Loan. Shop around for a reputable lender and a loan product that works for you.
- Step 9: Get Homeowners Insurance. Homeowners insurance is required by your lender to protect your home from hazards like fire, storms and floods.
- Step 10: Close on Your Home. Closing day is when the seller receives the funds and you receive the deed and keys to your new home!
Click here to read about each of these steps in detail.
Are you ready to purchase a home?
TSAHC has homeownership programs that serve both first-time and repeat home buyers. The Homes for Texas Heroes and Home Sweet Texas Loan Programs provide down payment assistance of up to 5% to low and moderate income home buyers. TSAHC also offers a Mortgage Credit Certificate Program for first time home buyers that provides you with a tax credit that can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your home loan.
Take our Eligibility Quiz to see if you qualify for one or both assistance options. You can also compare assistance options by using our Program Comparison Calculator.
On the House blog posts are meant to provide general information on various housing-related issues, research and programs. We are not liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the information provided by blog sources. Furthermore, this blog is not legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Sign up to have TSAHC news & updates delivered to your inbox.