Everything You Need
to Buy in Houston

Know your budget before you fall in love with a home.

• Contact a lender and gather pay stubs, bank statements, and tax returns
• Get a pre-approval letter — it shows sellers you're serious
• Understand your debt-to-income ratio and credit score
• Pre-approval is not a commitment — you can still shop lenders

Get clear on what matters before you start touring.

• List must-haves: beds, baths, garage, yard, school district
• Pick your neighborhoods — commute, lifestyle, price range
• Separate wants from deal-breakers so you can move fast
• Think about resale value, not just how it feels today

Browse listings, save favorites, and set up alerts.

• Use BriteDoor to search by city, zip, price, beds, and more
• Save homes you love and get notified when prices drop
• Filter by new construction, open houses, and virtual tours
• Draw a search area on the map to focus on specific streets

See homes in person before making any decisions.

• Schedule tours through your BriteDoor agent
• Visit at different times of day — check noise, light, and traffic
• Look past staging: check walls, ceilings, doors, and windows
• Ask about age of roof, HVAC, water heater, and foundation

Move quickly and strategically when you find the one.

• Your agent will run a CMA to determine a competitive offer price
• Include an earnest money deposit (typically 1% of purchase price)
• Set contingencies: inspection, financing, appraisal
• In Houston's market, clean offers with fewer contingencies win

Protect yourself before you're legally committed.

• Hire a licensed inspector — budget $300–$600 for a typical home
• Review the report carefully and negotiate repairs or credits
• The lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home's value
• If it appraises low, you can renegotiate the price

Sign the paperwork, pay closing costs, and move in.

• Review the Closing Disclosure 3 days before closing
• Closing costs in Texas typically run 2–5% of the purchase price
• Do a final walk-through 24 hours before closing
• Bring a cashier's check or wire transfer — personal checks not accepted