Frequently Asked Questions

Getting pre-approved with a lender. This tells you how much home you can afford, and it makes your offer much stronger when you're ready to make one. Pre-approval is different from pre-qualification. Pre-approval means the lender has actually reviewed your income, credit, and finances, so sellers take it seriously.

Your lender will typically ask for recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns from the past two years, bank statements, and information on any existing debts. Every lender is a little different, but I can connect you with trusted local lenders who will walk you through the process.

There are a few things to plan for: closing costs (which cover title insurance, lender fees, and other items), the option fee (paid upfront to secure your inspection period), earnest money (your good-faith deposit), the home inspection, homeowner's insurance, property taxes, and HOA fees if applicable. I'll give you approximate ranges specific to the Houston area so nothing catches you off guard.

The option period is a set number of days (negotiated in your contract) where you have the right to back out of the deal for any reason. This is when you schedule your home inspection. You pay a small option fee to the seller for this right. It's one of the most important protections you have as a buyer in Texas.

Your offer includes the price, your earnest money amount, financing details, your requested option period, any contingencies, and your preferred closing date. If there are multiple offers on the table, I'll help you put together the strongest package. Sometimes it's about terms and timing, not just the highest number.

Once you're under contract, we move through several milestones: the option period and home inspection come first, then the appraisal (ordered by your lender), title work, and final loan approval. There's a final walkthrough of the home right before closing to make sure everything is in the condition you agreed to, and then we close at the title company and you get your keys.

Earnest money is your good-faith deposit showing the seller you're serious. It's held in escrow (a neutral third-party account) until closing. Prorations are adjustments made at closing to split costs like property taxes and HOA dues fairly between you and the seller based on the closing date. I'll explain every line item on your closing documents so nothing feels confusing.

There's no single perfect time to sell, but there are a few things worth looking at: what similar homes in your neighborhood have sold for recently, how many homes are currently on the market, and how quickly they're going under contract. I'll pull all of that data for your specific area so we can make the decision together based on real numbers, not guesswork.

I prepare a Comparative Market Analysis, which looks at recent sales of similar homes nearby, homes currently listed, and market trends in your area. It gives us a realistic picture of where your home should be priced. I also factor in your home's condition, upgrades, and location within the neighborhood. Overpricing can actually work against you because homes that sit on the market too long start to look stale to buyers.

The goal is to help buyers picture themselves living there. That means decluttering, deep cleaning, and handling any small repairs you've been putting off. I'll walk through your home with you and give you a specific list, room by room, so you know exactly what to focus on before we bring in the photographer.

Once your home is on the market, I'll coordinate all showing requests and give you as much notice as possible. The best thing you can do is keep the home tidy, leave during the showing, and take any pets with you. After each showing, I'll follow up with the buyer's agent for feedback and keep you updated.

An offer is more than just a price. It includes the earnest money amount, option period length, financing terms, any contingencies, and the proposed closing timeline. Sometimes the highest offer isn't the strongest one. I'll walk you through every detail so you can make the best decision, not just the most obvious one.

After you accept an offer, the buyer enters their option period, which is when they'll schedule a home inspection. Then comes the appraisal (ordered by the buyer's lender), title work, and the buyer's final financing approval. We'll stay in close contact through every step, and I'll let you know if anything needs your attention. The final walkthrough happens right before closing, and then we meet at the title company to sign.

The main costs include agent commissions (paid at closing from your proceeds), closing costs (typically 1 to 3% of the sale price covering title insurance, deed prep, and recording fees), prorated property taxes through your closing date, and your remaining mortgage payoff. There may also be negotiated repair costs or buyer concessions depending on the deal. Before we list, I prepare a net sheet so you know exactly what you'll walk away with.