Step 1

Know your real monthly budget

Your house payment is more than the loan. It includes principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance if you put down less than 20% on a conventional loan, and HOA dues if the neighborhood has them.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are higher than in most states. Depending on the county, school district, and any MUD (municipal utility district), total rates in the Houston area often run from about 1.8% to 3% of the home’s value per year. Two homes at the same price can have payments hundreds of dollars apart, so always check the tax rate on the listing.

Step 2

Get a pre-approval that holds up

Sellers and their agents take your offer seriously when your lender has already done the work. At Brave we verify your employment, review your full credit report, and fix problems before you write an offer, not after you’re under contract. Read the pre-approval guide to see what we check and what documents to have ready.

Step 3

Pick the right loan

• Conventional: as little as 3% down for qualifying first-time buyers. Mortgage insurance applies under 20% down and can be removed later.
• FHA: 3.5% down with a 580 or higher credit score. More flexible on credit and debt, with mortgage insurance built in.
• VA: no down payment for eligible veterans, service members, and some surviving spouses, and no monthly mortgage insurance.
• USDA: no down payment in eligible rural and suburban areas, including some communities on the edges of greater Houston, with income limits.

Because I’m a broker, I can shop your loan with multiple lenders instead of selling you one bank’s product. We’ll compare the options side by side.

Step 4

Ask about down payment help

Texas has statewide programs from TDHCA and TSAHC, regional programs like SETH, and local help from the City of Houston and Harris County. Many don’t require you to be a first-time buyer. See the down payment assistance guide.

Step 5

Make an offer the Texas way

Most Texas homes sell on the standard TREC contract. A few terms to know:

• Option period: you pay the seller a small option fee for a set number of days to inspect the home and walk away for any reason.
• Earnest money: a deposit held by the title company that shows you’re serious. It goes toward your closing costs.
• Appraisal and survey: the lender orders an appraisal to confirm value, and you’ll either use the seller’s existing survey or order a new one.

Step 6

Close, then claim your homestead

Closing costs usually run about 2% to 5% of the price, and sellers can often help pay them. You’ll sign at a title company and get your keys. Then file your homestead exemption with your county appraisal district. It’s free, and it can save you real money every year. In 2025 Texas voters raised the school district homestead exemption to $140,000.

Common questions

How much do I need for a down payment?

Anywhere from 0% (VA, USDA) to 3% or 3.5% (conventional, FHA) for most first-time buyers, plus closing costs. Down payment assistance and seller credits can cover a lot of it.

What credit score do I need?

FHA allows 3.5% down starting at 580. Most conventional and assistance programs look for about 620 or higher. If you’re close, a rapid rescore can sometimes raise your score in days once a balance is paid down or an error is fixed.

How long does it take to close?

Usually about 30 days from contract to closing. Because we do the heavy checks up front, there’s less left to do once you’re under contract.