Buying Process

Oct. 9, 2026

Texas Title Commitment: What Dallas Buyers Should Check

What should you check in a Texas title commitment before you close?

A Texas title commitment is the title company's written promise to issue your owner's title policy once certain conditions are met. Check Schedule A for the correct names, legal description, and price. Read every Schedule B exception …

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Posted in Buying Process, Closing
Sept. 23, 2026

Mortgage Rates Hit 7%: What Dallas Buyers Should Do Now

What should Dallas homebuyers do now that mortgage rates are near 7%?

If you're already under contract in Dallas, confirm your rate lock status today and check the maximum interest rate and financing deadline written into your Texas Third Party Financing Addendum, because both decide how much protection you …

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Sept. 9, 2026

Backup Offers in Texas: A Dallas Buyer's Guide

What happens if you submit a backup offer in Texas?

A backup offer in Texas is a full TREC contract paired with the Addendum for Back-Up Contract, and it only goes into effect if the seller's primary contract falls apart. Your option period and every other contract deadline start …

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Sept. 4, 2026

Buying a House in a Dallas Conservation District

What Does It Mean If a Dallas Home Is in a Conservation District?

A conservation district is a Dallas zoning overlay that requires city review of exterior changes visible from the street, like additions, rooflines, and new construction, before you make them. It does not affect your ability to …

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Aug. 26, 2026

Rent vs. Buy in Uptown and Oak Lawn: The 2026 Dallas Math

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Dallas right now?

As of mid-2026, renting is cheaper than buying almost everywhere in Dallas on a pure monthly cash flow basis. Citywide rent runs roughly $1,300 to $1,700 a month, while total monthly ownership costs on a median home land …

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Aug. 19, 2026

Condo Special Assessments: What Uptown and Oak Lawn Buyers Need to Know

What Is a Condo Special Assessment, and How Can You Check for One Before You Offer?

A special assessment is a one-time bill an HOA charges unit owners to cover a major expense the reserve fund can't absorb, things like a new roof, elevator replacement, or garage repair. In …

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July 10, 2026

Dallas Condo Insurance Costs in 2026: What Buyers Need to Know

How much should you budget for condo insurance costs in Dallas in 2026?

Rising insurance premiums are pushing up HOA fees across Dallas condo buildings in 2026, especially in Uptown and Oak Lawn towers with pools, elevators, and parking garages. Budget for your own HO-6 policy (roughly $300 to …

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June 24, 2026

Property Survey in Texas: What Dallas Buyers Need to Know

What is a property survey in Texas, and who pays for it?

A property survey is a document prepared by a licensed professional land surveyor that shows the exact boundaries of a lot, the location of all improvements, and any encroachments. In most Texas transactions, the seller provides …

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June 19, 2026

Property Taxes in Dallas: What New Homebuyers Need to Budget For

What are property taxes for new homebuyers in Dallas, TX?

In Dallas, new homeowners typically face a combined property tax rate of approximately 2.22% of their home's assessed value, covering Dallas ISD, the City of Dallas, Dallas County, and smaller taxing entities. On a $400,000 purchase, that's roughly $8,880 …

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June 5, 2026

What Dallas Home Buyers Can Ask for After a Home Inspection (Repairs vs. Credits)

What Can a Buyer Ask for After a Home Inspection in Texas?

During your Texas option period, you can ask the seller for specific repairs, a closing cost credit, a price reduction, or some combination of all three. Texas sellers are not legally required to make any …

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