The Complete Texas Real Estate Guide

Buying or selling a home in Texas can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make sense of contracts, inspections, title work, loans, and all the steps in between. To make the process clear and stress-free, I’ve created this complete North Texas Real Estate Guide—and every single line below is clickable, taking you to a full article that explains that specific topic in simple, practical Texas terms. Whether you're a first-time buyer, preparing to sell, or simply want to better understand homeownership in Texas, this guide gives you step-by-step clarity, written from real experience in the North Dallas market.

SECTION 1 — Before the Offer

• What to Know Before Hiring a Texas Realtor

• Understanding Buyer Representation Agreements in Texas

• How Pre-Approval Works in Texas (and Why It Matters)

• Types of Home Loans Used in Texas (Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo)

• What Is a T-47 and Why Buyers Should Review It Early

• Understanding Surveys in Texas (Existing vs. New Survey)

• What Earnest Money & Option Money Are (Texas-Style)

• How the Title Company Works in Texas

• Understanding the Seller’s Disclosure Notice

• What to Look For in a Property During Showings (Texas-Specific Issues: foundations, HVAC age, roof, soil movement, etc.)

• What Homeowners Associations Look Like in North Texas New-Build Communities

• MUD/PID Explanations (Massive in Collin/Denton Counties)

SECTION 2 — Making an Offer

• How to Structure a Competitive Offer in a Texas Market

• The Residential Contract (TREC 1–4): Line-By-Line Explanation

• Understanding Option Periods (and how long they should be)

• Who Pays the Title Policy in Texas? (And how the new rule changed things)

• What Are Common Contract Addenda in Texas?

• What Appraisal Waivers Really Mean in Texas

• What “As-Is” Means in Texas (and what it doesn’t mean)

• Understanding Optional HOA Resale Documents

• How Escrow Works in Texas

• What Happens After the Offer Is Accepted?

SECTION 3 — During the Option Period

• The Full Inspection Timeline in Texas

• Types of Inspections (General, HVAC, Foundation, WDI, Sewer Scope, Roof)

• Understanding the HVAC & Foundation Issues Most Common in North Texas

• What the Option Period Is Really For

• How Repair Amendments Work in Texas

• What Happens When the Seller Refuses Repairs

• When to Use Seller Concessions Instead of Repairs

• Buyer Termination Rights in Texas

• Understanding the 1-4 Back-Up Contract

SECTION 4 — Appraisal + Financing

• What Happens During the Appraisal Process

• What to Do If the Home Doesn’t Appraise

• Understanding Appraisal Waivers vs. Partial Waivers

• The Texas Loan Process: Underwriting, Conditions, Clear-to-Close

• How Interest Rate Locks Work in Texas

• Final Approval & Closing Conditions

SECTION 5 — Title, Survey, HOA Docs

• How to Read a Texas Title Commitment (Schedule A, B, C, D)

• Understanding Survey Issues (Encroachments, Easements, Setbacks)

• What Is a T-47 and Why It’s Required

• How Title Curative Works in Texas

• Understanding HOA Resale Certificates & Subdivision Info

• What to Do If HOA Docs Reveal Issues

• What Is a PID Notice / MUD Notice?

SECTION 6 — Closing Process

• The Final Walkthrough: What to Look For

• What Are Buyer Closing Costs in Texas?

• What Are Seller Closing Costs in Texas?

• What Happens at the Closing Table in Texas

• Funding & Recording (Why Texas Is a “Wet Funding” State)

• What Happens When a Closing Gets Delayed

• How Mobile Notaries Work in Texas

• How to Read a Closing Disclosure (CD)

SECTION 7 — New Construction Texas-Specific

• Builder Contracts vs. TREC Contracts: Major Differences

• Warranties: 1-2-10 in Texas

• Understanding Builder Incentives (Rate Buydowns, Design Credits)

• What To Know About Pre-Drywall & Final Walk Inspections

• Builder Title Policy Rules & Builder Title Companies

• Why You Still Need a Realtor on New Construction in Texas

• Understanding Spec Homes vs. To-Be-Built in North Texas

• How Deposits Work With Builders in Texas (and refundability)

SECTION 8 — After Closing

• Homestead Exemptions in Texas (When & How to File)

• How to Protest Your Property Taxes in Collin, Denton, Dallas, Tarrant

• How Home Warranty Companies Work in Texas

• Utilities Setup in North Texas

• HOA Responsibilities in Texas

• Navigating Foundation Maintenance in North Texas Clay Soil

• Annual Home Maintenance Checklist (Texas Climate Version)

SECTION 9 — Legal & Consumer-Protection Topics

• What TRELA & TREC Actually Regulate

• Understanding Intermediary Relationships in Texas

• Wire Fraud Prevention

• Why Texas Is a Non-Disclosure State (and what that means for buyers/sellers)

• What a Title Policy Covers (and doesn’t cover)

• What Happens if Either Party Defaults

• Difference Between Mediation, Arbitration, and Litigation in Texas RE Contracts

• What Are Deed Restrictions?

• What To Know About Mineral Rights in Texas Residential Real Estate

SECTION 10 — For Sellers

• Preparing Your Home for a North Texas Appraisal

• Seller’s Disclosure Notice (Required Items & Mistakes to Avoid)

• The Listing Agreement Explained

• How Pricing Strategy Works in North Texas

• Showings & Feedback: What Actually Matters

• How Repairs Are Negotiated with Buyers

• What Happens When a Buyer Terminates

• Understanding Net Sheets & Seller Proceeds

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