Powerful Resources
Client Guidance & Support
FIRST-TIME BUYERS
TDHCA Homebuyer Program ➔ Texas program hub for down payment help, low-interest mortgage options, eligibility screening, and homebuyer education.
TSAHC Home Buyer Programs ➔ Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation program page for 30-year fixed-rate loans, down payment assistance, and mortgage credit certificate options.
TSAHC Down Payment Assistance ➔ useful when you want a direct page focused on down payment and closing-cost assistance.
TSAHC Mortgage Credit Certificates➔ helpful for buyers who may qualify for an MCC tax credit.
CFPB: Get a preapproval letter ➔ explains what preapproval is, why sellers ask for it, and why it is not a guaranteed loan offer.
CFPB: Loan Estimate explainer ➔ breaks down the Loan Estimate so buyers can understand costs and compare lenders.
CFPB: Closing Disclosure explainer ➔ helps buyers review final terms; lenders must provide it at least 3 business days before closing.
Fannie Mae HomeView ➔ free certificate course that aligns with national pre-purchase education standards and fulfills education requirements for most mortgage products.
Freddie Mac CreditSmart Homebuyer U ➔ free self-paced course that can satisfy education requirements for select Freddie Mac mortgage products.
HUD Housing Counselor Search ➔ search for a HUD-participating housing counseling agency.
Texas Comptroller: Residence Homestead Exemptions ➔ important after closing on a primary residence because a qualifying homestead exemption can reduce taxable value.
MOVE-UP BUYERS
IRS: Sale of your home ➔ explains the federal home-sale gain exclusion of up to $250,000, or up to $500,000 for many married joint filers who qualify.
CFPB: Request and review multiple Loan Estimates ➔ useful for comparing lenders early; once the six required pieces of information are submitted, each lender must send a Loan Estimate within 3 business days.
CFPB: Compare and negotiate your loan offers ➔ helps move-up buyers compare real monthly cost, rate, mortgage insurance, and lender differences.
CFPB: Closing Disclosure explainer ➔ especially useful when coordinating sale and purchase timing because the final disclosure must arrive at least 3 business days before closing.
Texas Comptroller: Residence Homestead Exemptions ➔ important when moving from one principal residence to another, since a qualifying homestead exemption can lower taxes on the new primary home.
Texas Department of Insurance: Flood insurance ➔ critical for budgeting because most home insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
Texas Department of Insurance: Owner’s Policy ➔ explains owner’s title insurance and how it protects against covered ownership problems from before the purchase.
TDHCA My Choice Texas Home brochure ➔ helpful for repeat buyers, because it states that down payment and closing-cost assistance is available for repeat homebuyers.
RELOCATING BUYERS
TxDMV: New to Texas ➔ good relocation checklist; Texas says new residents have 30 days from moving here to register their vehicle.
DPS: Moving to Texas guide for driver licenses and IDs ➔ useful for timeline planning; DPS says many new residents can legally drive with a valid out-of-state license for up to 90 days after moving to Texas.
DPS: Apply for a Texas driver license ➔ best document checklist page for new residents, including residency, identity, registration, and insurance requirements.
FCC National Broadband Map ➔ helpful for checking address-level internet availability before choosing an area.
TXschools.gov ➔ TEA’s school report card and accountability site for district and campus research.Texas Comptroller:
Residence Homestead Exemptions ➔ useful once the buyer occupies the property as a principal residence and wants to understand tax relief options.
Texas Department of Insurance: Flood insurance ➔ important for area comparison because flood exposure can materially affect monthly housing cost.
Texas Department of Insurance: Owner’s Policy ➔ strong relocation resource for buyers who want to understand title protection in a new market.
INVESTOR BUYERS
CFPB loan comparison tools and Loan Estimate guidance
Texas Comptroller property tax, exemptions, and protest resources
Texas Department of Insurance title insurance and owner’s policy guidance.
FEMA flood maps and Texas flood-insurance guidance.
LAND BUYERS
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/title/owners-policy.html
https://www.trec.texas.gov/forms/farm-and-ranch-contract
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https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/ossf/ossfpermits.html
https://www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/data/privwwsamp.asp
https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/ag-timber/
https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps
https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/broadband/outreach/maps/fcc/
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/divisions/colonias-prevention/colonias-prevention-laws
https://www.txdot.gov/business/right-of-way/right-of-way-forms.html
