Esther AtereREALTOR® · Keller Williams SW

Buyers

Buying a home in Greater Houston

Whether it's your first property or your fifth, the process is the same six steps. Here's exactly how it goes — and what I handle at each one.

The process

Six steps to the keys

  1. 01

    Get pre-approved

    Before we tour anything, we establish your real budget with a trusted lender. In a competitive market a pre-approval letter is what makes your offer credible.

  2. 02

    Define the target

    We get specific about location, school zones, commute, must-haves and deal-breakers — then I set up MLS alerts so you see matches the day they list.

  3. 03

    Tour and evaluate

    I walk properties with you and give you the honest read: what the comps say, what the condition suggests, and what it will realistically cost you to own.

  4. 04

    Offer and negotiate

    I build the offer strategy around the seller's motivation, not guesswork — price, terms, options and repairs all negotiated on your behalf.

  5. 05

    Inspections and financing

    Option period, inspection, appraisal and underwriting all run on a clock. I track every deadline so nothing quietly slips.

  6. 06

    Close and take keys

    Final walkthrough, closing disclosure review, signing — and a relationship that continues long after the transaction ends.

A note on Texas specifics

Two things surprise buyers relocating here: property taxes and the option period. Texas has no state income tax, so property tax rates run higher than many states — always budget the full monthly payment including taxes and insurance, not just principal and interest. And the option period gives you a short, paid window to inspect and walk away. It is the most important protection in the contract, and I make sure we use it properly.