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Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
Home Buying Steps Mortgage Types Explained for Buyers | Home Buying Step 6 Let’s Talk Mortgage Types: Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and More. Step 6 in my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series is all about mortgage types–so this is where you finally get Mortgage Types Explained in a real-world way. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve checked your credit, built a […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Apply for a Mortgage Without Accidentally Sabotaging Yourself Before anything else, you must understand how to choose a mortgage lender who will guide you through the process instead of just selling you a product. Most buyers begin their home search online, and […]
Home Buying Steps Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series A real home buying budget is the foundation of every successful purchase. Home Buying Series by Doug Berry, MBA — Realtor® Step 2 of the Home Buying Series is all about building a real home buying budget—one that matches the way lenders think and […]
Home Buying Steps Step 1: Know Your Credit — Home Buying Series Step 1: Know Your Credit — Home Buying Series Welcome to Step 1 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. I’ve spent years on both sides of the table — helping buyers qualify for USDA mortgages and guiding families through the real-world process of purchasing a home in today’s market. Most online guides are generic […]
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Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
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Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
Home Buying Steps Mortgage Types Explained for Buyers | Home Buying Step 6 Let’s Talk Mortgage Types: Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and More. Step 6 in my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series is all about mortgage types–so this is where you finally get Mortgage Types Explained in a real-world way. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve checked your credit, built a […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Apply for a Mortgage Without Accidentally Sabotaging Yourself Before anything else, you must understand how to choose a mortgage lender who will guide you through the process instead of just selling you a product. Most buyers begin their home search online, and […]
Home Buying Steps Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series A real home buying budget is the foundation of every successful purchase. Home Buying Series by Doug Berry, MBA — Realtor® Step 2 of the Home Buying Series is all about building a real home buying budget—one that matches the way lenders think and […]
Home Buying Steps Step 1: Know Your Credit — Home Buying Series Step 1: Know Your Credit — Home Buying Series Welcome to Step 1 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. I’ve spent years on both sides of the table — helping buyers qualify for USDA mortgages and guiding families through the real-world process of purchasing a home in today’s market. Most online guides are generic […]
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Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
Home Buying Steps Mortgage Types Explained for Buyers | Home Buying Step 6 Let’s Talk Mortgage Types: Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and More. Step 6 in my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series is all about mortgage types–so this is where you finally get Mortgage Types Explained in a real-world way. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve checked your credit, built a […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Apply for a Mortgage Without Accidentally Sabotaging Yourself Before anything else, you must understand how to choose a mortgage lender who will guide you through the process instead of just selling you a product. Most buyers begin their home search online, and […]
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Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
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Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
#HomeBuyerEducation
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
Home Buying Steps Mortgage Types Explained for Buyers | Home Buying Step 6 Let’s Talk Mortgage Types: Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and More. Step 6 in my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series is all about mortgage types–so this is where you finally get Mortgage Types Explained in a real-world way. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve checked your credit, built a […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Apply for a Mortgage Without Accidentally Sabotaging Yourself Before anything else, you must understand how to choose a mortgage lender who will guide you through the process instead of just selling you a product. Most buyers begin their home search online, and […]
Home Buying Steps Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series A real home buying budget is the foundation of every successful purchase. Home Buying Series by Doug Berry, MBA — Realtor® Step 2 of the Home Buying Series is all about building a real home buying budget—one that matches the way lenders think and […]
#HomeBuyingJourney
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
#HomeBuyingSteps
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
Home Buying Steps Mortgage Types Explained for Buyers | Home Buying Step 6 Let’s Talk Mortgage Types: Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and More. Step 6 in my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series is all about mortgage types–so this is where you finally get Mortgage Types Explained in a real-world way. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve checked your credit, built a […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
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Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series A real home buying budget is the foundation of every successful purchase. Home Buying Series by Doug Berry, MBA — Realtor® Step 2 of the Home Buying Series is all about building a real home buying budget—one that matches the way lenders think and […]
Home Buying Steps Step 1: Know Your Credit — Home Buying Series Step 1: Know Your Credit — Home Buying Series Welcome to Step 1 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. I’ve spent years on both sides of the table — helping buyers qualify for USDA mortgages and guiding families through the real-world process of purchasing a home in today’s market. Most online guides are generic […]
#BuyingAHome
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
#WestTexasLiving
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
Home Buying Steps Mortgage Types Explained for Buyers | Home Buying Step 6 Let’s Talk Mortgage Types: Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and More. Step 6 in my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series is all about mortgage types–so this is where you finally get Mortgage Types Explained in a real-world way. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve checked your credit, built a […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Apply for a Mortgage Without Accidentally Sabotaging Yourself Before anything else, you must understand how to choose a mortgage lender who will guide you through the process instead of just selling you a product. Most buyers begin their home search online, and […]
#RealEstateTips
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
#RealEstateEducation
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#SellingYourHome
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
#AbileneRealEstate
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
#HomeSellingSteps
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
#RealEstatePlanning
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
#FirstTimeHomebuyers
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
Home Buying Steps Mortgage Types Explained for Buyers | Home Buying Step 6 Let’s Talk Mortgage Types: Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and More. Step 6 in my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series is all about mortgage types–so this is where you finally get Mortgage Types Explained in a real-world way. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve checked your credit, built a […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Apply for a Mortgage Without Accidentally Sabotaging Yourself Before anything else, you must understand how to choose a mortgage lender who will guide you through the process instead of just selling you a product. Most buyers begin their home search online, and […]
#KnowBeforeYouBuy
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
#HomeBuyingEducation
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#TexasContracts
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
#HomeSelling
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
#HomeSellerEducation
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
#RealEstateContext
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#WestTexasRealEstate
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
#LifeAfterClosing
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
#HousingAffordability
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#RealEstateNegotiation
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
#RealEstateProcess
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
#BuyerRepresentation
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
#AbileneHomeAffordability
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#ListingStrategy
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
#ClosingOnAHouse
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
#RetirementPlanningBasics
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#OptionPeriod
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
#IncomeVsHousing
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#RealtorAdvice
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
#SellerLeverage
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#HomeOwnership
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
#HomeBuyingPrep
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
#LongTermFinancialPlanning
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#HomeSellingSeries
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
#EmployerMatchMatters
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#InvestingVsMortgage
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#BuyerEducation
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
#ClosingDayInTexas
Home Buying Steps Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days |Home Buying Step 12 Closing Day in Texas — Signing, Funding, and Your First 30 Days (Home Buying Step 12) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 12 assumes you’re past the negotiation phase, your lender and title company are working toward final approval, and you’re preparing for closing day, funding, and taking possession. […]
#HomeBuyingGuide
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
#HomeMaintenance
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
#HomeBuyingSeries
Home Buying Steps Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process Start Here: A Practical Home Buying Guide That Follows the Real Process This page is the best place to begin if you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clear, realistic understanding of how the process actually works — not just the highlights, and not just the sales pitch. This Home Buying Series was […]
Home Buying Steps Mortgage Types Explained for Buyers | Home Buying Step 6 Let’s Talk Mortgage Types: Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and More. Step 6 in my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series is all about mortgage types–so this is where you finally get Mortgage Types Explained in a real-world way. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve checked your credit, built a […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor Who Works for You — Home Buying Step 5 How to Choose a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process, and it belongs later in the journey than most people think. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Apply for a Mortgage Without Accidentally Sabotaging Yourself Before anything else, you must understand how to choose a mortgage lender who will guide you through the process instead of just selling you a product. Most buyers begin their home search online, and […]
Home Buying Steps Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series A real home buying budget is the foundation of every successful purchase. Home Buying Series by Doug Berry, MBA — Realtor® Step 2 of the Home Buying Series is all about building a real home buying budget—one that matches the way lenders think and […]
Home Buying Steps Step 1: Know Your Credit — Home Buying Series Step 1: Know Your Credit — Home Buying Series Welcome to Step 1 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. I’ve spent years on both sides of the table — helping buyers qualify for USDA mortgages and guiding families through the real-world process of purchasing a home in today’s market. Most online guides are generic […]
#FirstYearHomeownership
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
#MedianIncomeMath
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#HomeBudgeting
Home Buying Steps Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life After Closing — Practical Ownership in Your First Year (Home Buying Step 13) Life after closing is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 13 assumes you’ve already closed, taken possession, and lived in the home long enough to realize the truth: owning is different than buying. The goal here is to […]
#EarnestMoney
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
#MortgageAffordability
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#NeighborhoodResearch
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
#USDARuralDevelopment
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
#USDADirectLoan
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
#UnderstandingLoans
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
#RuralHousingPrograms
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
#RuralHomeLoans
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
#MortgageProcess
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Apply for a Mortgage Without Accidentally Sabotaging Yourself Before anything else, you must understand how to choose a mortgage lender who will guide you through the process instead of just selling you a product. Most buyers begin their home search online, and […]
#MortgageEducation
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
#LowIncomeHomebuyers
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
#LoanApplicationTips
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Apply for a Mortgage Without Accidentally Sabotaging Yourself Before anything else, you must understand how to choose a mortgage lender who will guide you through the process instead of just selling you a product. Most buyers begin their home search online, and […]
#HomeOwnershipJourney
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
#DougBerryRealtor
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
#DebtToIncomeRatio
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
Home Buying Steps How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Choose a Mortgage Lender — Home Buying Step 3 How to Apply for a Mortgage Without Accidentally Sabotaging Yourself Before anything else, you must understand how to choose a mortgage lender who will guide you through the process instead of just selling you a product. Most buyers begin their home search online, and […]
#BudgetingBasics
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
Home Buying Steps Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series Home Buying Budget – Step 2 of Doug Berry’s Buying Series A real home buying budget is the foundation of every successful purchase. Home Buying Series by Doug Berry, MBA — Realtor® Step 2 of the Home Buying Series is all about building a real home buying budget—one that matches the way lenders think and […]
#StartLookingAtHouses
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
#HouseHunting
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
#PersonalFinanceBasics
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#MakeAnOffer
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
#PracticalFinancialPlanning
Housing Market Insights Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income Investing vs. Paying Down Your Mortgage: What Actually Matters at Median Income This is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. One of the most common questions people ask—often framed as a finance- or economics-class thought experiment—is whether it makes more sense to use extra money to invest or pay […]
#AppraisalProcess
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
#ClosingOnAHouseInTexas
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
#FinalWalkThroug
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
#TitleCompany
Home Buying Steps Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 11 Closing on a House in Texas — The Final Stretch Before Funding (Home Buying Step 11) This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 11 assumes your option period is either complete or close to complete, inspections are underway or […]
#OfferAcceptedInTexas
Home Buying Steps Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Offer Accepted in Texas: What Happens Next — Home Buying Step 10 Your Offer Is Accepted — What Happens Next in Texas This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 10 assumes you’ve already made an offer and that offer has been accepted. Step 1: Know Your Credit Step 2: Build […]
#MakeAnOfferInTexas
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
#HomeSearchTips
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
#TexasLiving
Home Buying Steps How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas — Home Buying Step 9 How to Make an Offer on a House in Texas What Really Matters Before You Sign — Home Buying Step 9 This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. Step 9 assumes you’ve already narrowed the field and are focusing on homes you could realistically move forward on. Step 1: Know Your […]
#ComparingHomes
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
#HomeSearchProcess
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
#HouseHuntingTips
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
#NarrowingTheField
Home Buying Steps Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 Narrowing the Field — Home Buying Step 8 How to Evaluate Homes Objectively in West Texas Before You Make an Offer Narrowing the field is the step where home buyers move from looking at houses to deciding which ones actually make sense. This article is part of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’re […]
#ChoosingAHOME
Home Buying Steps Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 Start Looking at Houses — Home Buying Step 7 How to Start Looking at Houses in the Real World Welcome to Step 7 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series. If you’ve jumped in here, I strongly recommend going back to Step 1 (credit), Step 2 (budget), and Step 3 (choosing a lender). Much of […]
#TSPLoans
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
#FinancialDecisionMaking
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
#PMIExplained
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
#HomeSellingStep6
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
#PriceYourHomeToSell
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#OverpricingCosts
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#ListingPriceStrategy
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#HomeSellingStrategy
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#HomeSellingStep5
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#HomePricingStrategy
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#ComparativeMarketAnalysis
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#CMA
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#BPOvsCMA
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#BPO
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#PricingStrategy
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
#MarketFeedback
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
#ListYourHomeForSale
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) Home Selling Step 6: List Your Home for Sale (Traction, Showings, Feedback, and First-Week Reality) If you’re ready to list your home for sale, this is the step where the plan becomes public—and where the market starts answering back. Everything you did in Steps 2–5 (net proceeds, preparation, representation, and pricing discipline) is supposed to […]
#WeighOffersOnYourHome
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
#TexasHomeSelling
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#OfferComparison
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
#ListingAgent
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
#InspectionNegotiations
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
#HomeSellingStep7
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
#HomeSaleStrategy
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
#ContractToClose
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
#AppraisalRisk
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Price, Financing Risk, and What Really Matters) Home Selling Step 7: Weigh Offers on Your Home (Beyond Price) If you’re ready to weigh offers on your home, this is the step where sellers often get surprised—because the “best” offer is not always the highest number on page one. In Texas, an offer is not just a price. It is a bundle of […]
#WeighingOffers
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
#UnderContractOnYourHome
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
#SellerEducation
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
#InspectionPeriod
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
#HomeSellingTips
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
#HomeSellingStep8
Home Selling Steps Step 8: Under Contract Is Not “Done” — It’s the Most Fragile Phase Home Selling Step 8: Under Contract on Your Home (Option Period, Repairs, Appraisal, and Keeping the Deal Alive) If you are under contract on your home, this is where most sellers discover what “real negotiation” actually means. Up to this point, you’ve controlled preparation (Step 3), pricing discipline (Step 5), and traction signals (Step 6). […]
#RealEstateAppraisal
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#TexasNonDisclosure
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#PersonalFinanceEducation
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
#LoanDocuments
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
#MortgageMath
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
#DownPaymentDecisions
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
#401kLoans
Housing Market Insights The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement The Most Expensive Loan You’ll Ever Take Is the One Against Your Own Retirement This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. A common decision point for homebuyers is not whether to invest or pay down a mortgage early — it’s a much more specific question: a 401(k) […]
#RealEstateDecision
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
#DecidingToSell
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Home Selling Step 1: Deciding Whether to Sell Your Home (and Whether It Makes Sense) Most home-selling guides start with pricing, staging, or marketing. That assumes the sale itself is already the right move. This series starts earlier. If you’re deciding to sell your home, this first step is designed to help you determine whether […]
#NetProceeds
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
#EquityReality
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Rough Net Proceeds Home Selling Step 2: Understand Your Net Proceeds From Selling Your Home If you are calculating net proceeds from selling your home, this step is where you stop guessing and start working with real numbers. The purpose is simple: After selling costs, what do you actually walk away with—and is it enough for what comes […]
#UnderwritingProcess
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
#UnderwritingExplained
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
#MortgageUnderwriting
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
Home Buying Steps Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Fixing Underwriting Issues — Home Buying Step 4 Step 4 of my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series covers something most buyers eventually face: fixing underwriting issues uncovered by the lender or underwriter. In the real world, the first response isn’t always “yes.” More often, it’s “not yet.” If you missed the earlier steps, find them […]
#MortgageDocuments
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
#MortgageBasics
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
Home Buying Steps Mortgage Types Explained for Buyers | Home Buying Step 6 Let’s Talk Mortgage Types: Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and More. Step 6 in my practical, experience-based Home Buying Series is all about mortgage types–so this is where you finally get Mortgage Types Explained in a real-world way. By now, you’ve done more work than most first-time buyers ever do: you’ve checked your credit, built a […]
#LoanUnderwriting
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
#LendingProcess
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
#TimeOnMarket
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) Home Selling Step 5: Price Your Home to Sell (Texas CMA, BPO, and Appraisal Reality) If you want to price your home to sell, this is the step where you stop guessing and start thinking like the market, the lender, and the appraisal process. Pricing is not a number you “pick.” It’s a strategy decision […]
#HousingFinance
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
#HomeLoanEducation
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
#HomeBuyingGuidance
Loan Programs What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents What Underwriters Look for When Reviewing Loan Documents This article explains what underwriters look for when reviewing loan documents, why certain requests happen when they do, and how timing and completeness affect the process. For many buyers, underwriting feels like a black box. You submit documents, hear nothing for a while, then suddenly get a […]
#PrepareYourHomeToSell
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
#PreListingPrep
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
#HomeInspection
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
#DeferredMaintenance
Home Selling Steps Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) Home Selling Step 3: Prepare Your Home to Sell (Before You Hire a Realtor) If you’re ready to prepare your home to sell, this step is about regaining control of the timeline and eliminating surprises before you ever put a “for sale” sign in the yard. This step is not about perfection, and it is […]
#TexasRealtor
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
#SellingAHome
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
#SellerRepresentation
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
#FSBO
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
#FlatFeeMLS
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
#ChooseARealtor
Home Selling Steps Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home — Home Selling Step 4 Home Selling Step 4: Choose a Realtor to Sell Your Home (or Go FSBO, Flat-Fee, or Hybrid) If you’re trying to choose a realtor to sell your home, this step is where you slow down and make that choice intentionally—before you sign anything, before momentum takes over, and before you hand over control of your […]
#VeryLowIncome
Loan Programs USDA Direct Loans Explained — A Practical Guide from Someone Who Worked Inside the Program USDA Direct Loans are one of the least understood homeownership programs in the country. They offer a path to owning a home for people who often have no other financing options — but they come with rules, limits, and long-term obligations you need to understand before you apply. If you’re just looking for a broad […]
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