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Buying Guide

Buying, Selling, and Renting For Buyers Buying Guide

If you're thinking of purchasing a home, you've come to the right place!

Whether this will be your first home purchase or you are a seasoned buyer, we’ve got some handy tips and guides to help answer your most pressing questions and hopefully give you some peace of mind as you look for your perfect property. Browse our resources below and when you’re ready to start your home search, use our property search feature on our homepage to get started. Happy hunting!



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Getting started

Do you know what you'll need when you're ready to start shopping? Use our checklist and get familiar with the common terms you'll hear.

SABOR's Home Buying Checklist

The checklist will guide you through the steps of purchasing a home and help you achieve your goal of home ownership.

Buying a home in the next year? Use this 12-month guide.

This step-by-step guide will help you on your path to homeownership and forgo some of the common mistakes first-time homeowners make.

Tips for first-time homebuyers

Buying your first home can be daunting, for most people it is the largest purchase that they will ever make. These tips can help you prepare to purchase your first home.

How to choose the right agent for your real estate transaction

Hiring a real estate agent means you’ll have an expert who can explain the transaction process while ensuring you get the best deal.

Real estate terms to know when starting the homebuying process

The real estate industry is known for having its own lingo. Before taking the plunge into homebuying make sure you are familiar with these terms.

4 things first time homebuyers need to know

Have you been considering taking the next step toward homeownership? If so, check out these four things first-time homebuyers need to know.

Understanding mortgages and home buying costs

How you'll pay for your home is probably top of mind, and  you likely have a lot of questions. Find out more about what you need to prepare for when budgeting and finding a mortgage.

Mortgage basics you need to know

Like most people, you've probably heard of a mortgage and know what it is. But do you understand the basics of a mortgage and how it works?

5 steps for buyers with bad credit

Is your credit situation holding you back? Buying a home with less than stellar credit is possible.

Expenses to plan for in your budget

Don't let these home expenses take you and your budget by surprise.

Making an offer

Deciding to make an offer on a home is exciting and can be overwhelming. These tips can help you during the offer stage of the home buying process.

When to offer over asking price

Buyers typically aren't eager to offer over the asking price, but in some circumstances, it may be necessary.

How to make your offer more attractive

Pre-approval and pre-qualification can put you in a stronger buying position, but they are different processes. Here are steps to take before pursuing either.

Earnest money questions answered

Essentially a deposit, earnest money refers to "good faith" funds submitted with an offer to purchase real estate.

Your offer is accepted. Now what?

It's exciting to have your offer accepted, and it's one step closer to calling that home your own, but you're not done yet. Find out what you need to know after your offer is accepted.

What happens after your offer is accepted?

You've found the home of your dreams and your offer has been accepted. Here's what you need to do next.

What to know about home inspection

A home inspection can be a nerve-racking time. To ease your concerns during the home inspection process, keep these things in mind.

What to know during the walk-through

The walk-through is an exciting time because it means you are just about to close, but there are some key things you need to keep in mind.

Closing 

It's closing day! Are you excited? This means you'll be getting the keys to your new home. But it also means a lot of papers to sign. Here are some tips and insights to make sure you're prepared when you get to the closing table.

Top tips for a trouble-free closing

Closing, the final stage of a real estate transaction, has many steps. Here's some advice to help you prepare.

After the sale

It's exciting to have your offer accepted, and it's one step closer to calling that home your own, but you're not done yet. Find out what you need to know after your offer is accepted.

New home? Make sure you do these things ASAP

Moving into a new home is an exciting time! Make sure that you cover these basics before settling into your new place.

Disclosing home sales price: What you need to know

What do you do if a government agency asks you for that same information? Did you know that you actually aren’t required to give it out?

Find Homestead Exemption information

Texas offers a variety of partial or total exemptions from appraised property values used to determine local property taxes. Exemptions from property tax require applications in most circumstances.