Buyer guide
First-Time Home Buyers in Kyle, Buda & Hays County
Buying your first home is exciting, and it's also a lot of new vocabulary at once: pre-approval, option period, earnest money, title, escrow. Our job is to make each step clear before you need to make a decision.
Because Dustin is a licensed mortgage loan originator as well as an agent, first-time buyers get financing answers and house answers from the same team. Many of our first-time buyers find they're closer to ready than they thought.
The steps, in order
- Talk with a lender and get pre-approved, so you know your comfortable budget before you tour.
- Ask about down payment assistance. Texas has statewide programs, and eligibility depends on income, credit, the home and the program.
- Pick your areas. Compare commute, HOA dues, MUD or PID taxes and school district, not just the house.
- Tour homes and make an offer. In Texas, most contracts include an option period, a short window to inspect and back out for any reason.
- Inspect, negotiate repairs, and let the appraisal and underwriting run.
- Close, get your keys, and file your homestead exemption with the appraisal district.
Costs to plan for
- Earnest money and the option fee, paid when your offer is accepted
- Home inspection and any specialty inspections
- Appraisal (usually paid through your lender)
- Closing costs and prepaid items such as insurance and property tax escrow
- Your down payment, which may be reduced by an assistance program if you qualify
Texas down payment assistance
Statewide programs from the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) help eligible buyers with down payment and closing costs, and some offer mortgage credit certificates. Programs have income limits, credit requirements and often a homebuyer education course.
We'll tell you which programs you may fit and connect you with a lender who offers them. See our down payment assistance page for the program names and links.
Where first-time buyers often look
Buyers coming from Austin often compare Kyle, Buda and San Marcos. Established neighborhoods can offer mature trees and no or low HOA dues, while newer master-planned communities offer amenity centers and new-construction warranties. Our neighborhood guides cover location, HOA, MUD and school district for each.
Frequently asked questions
›Do I need perfect credit to buy my first home?
No. Different loan programs have different credit guidelines. A lender can review your credit and tell you what programs fit and whether there's anything worth improving first.
›What is the option period in Texas?
It's a negotiated number of days after your contract is signed when you can inspect the home and terminate for any reason, in exchange for an option fee paid to the seller.
›Is there down payment assistance in Hays County?
Statewide programs from TSAHC and TDHCA are available to eligible buyers in Hays County. Eligibility depends on income, credit, the home and the program's current funding.
›Do I pay for a buyer's agent?
How buyer-agent compensation is paid is agreed in writing before we start working together. Sometimes the seller covers it; we'll explain your options up front.