Whether you are considering moving to Texas or already living there, buying a new house in Texas can go smoother with some key information.
DSLD Mortgage has put together this guide to provide crucial facts about the top Texas cities to live in, the best schools and colleges, and a few other tips we hope will make buying your first or second home in Texas as simple as possible.
How to Find the Perfect Home in Texas
There are many considerations to keep in mind when looking for a home that will make your life comfortable and enjoyable. Here are a few tips to help you find your perfect home.
1. Getting Around
Whether you drive a vehicle or plan to use public transportation, making sure you can get to the places you need to is a top priority. When looking to relocate to another city or area, work out the routes for regular places you or your family need to go, such as work or college. Don’t forget to allow for traffic if you plan to commute in a vehicle; you can check which roads are the most congested in Texas on the Texas A&M Transportation Institute website.
2. Schools and Colleges
Texas has a multitude of schools and colleges. The Texas Education Agency provides a school search tool with a useful grading system if you need to locate a school in the area you want to live in. Another advantage of educating your children in Texas is the Texas “top 10% rule.” This provides automatic admission to all public colleges in the state for residents who graduate in the top 10% of their class from a recognized Texas high school.
3. Crime Rates
Although Texas may have a reputation for high crime rates, it was not one of the states listed in the Forbes’ top 10 most dangerous states for high crime, (although you may be surprised to find out California was listed as the fifth most dangerous state). In fact, crime rates in many Texas cities, including Dallas, and Houston, have dropped significantly in 2023 and 2024, and Texas property crimes have declined by 67% between 1991 and 2022.
4. How to Find a Good Moving Company
By law, all moving companies must be registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXdmv). You can check the Truck Stop database to see if a moving company has an active TxDMV certificate number. When you hire a licensed company, you will be asked to sign a contract and a proposal agreement. The agreed price will be written into the contract and can’t be changed without your prior agreement. For more information, we recommend using this helpful Moving Checklist from the TxDMV.
Related reading: A First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide to a Mortgage
At DSLD, our expert team will provide you with personalized advice, understanding, and guidance, enabling you to manage the mortgage process confidently and easily.
Book a free home loan consultation and begin your journey to becoming a homeowner.
Texas Homebuying: Select the Ideal Neighbourhood for You
Texas has one of the strongest state economies in the United States, and there is no shortage of reasonably priced properties. Apart from affordable homes, another great advantage of living in Texas is that you don’t pay state income tax.
Although your motivations for living in Texas will be unique, to save you some time, here are the top 10 cities from the Best Places to Live in Texas in 2023-2024 list, published by US News & World Report and the GreatSchools Ratings best schools links.
1. Austin
The median age in Austin is approximately 35, and over 25% of the population is younger than 20. The 351-acre Zilker Metropolitan Park is, in many ways, the centerpiece of Austin, and the easily accessible Lady Bird Lake is a well-liked spot for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing. The region hosts the University of Texas at Austin and several other colleges and universities.
2. San Antonio
Big-city benefits combine with a welcoming and laid-back vibe in San Antonio. Renowned for being the birthplace of the Alamo, the region provides a community steeped in Spanish and Old West history. Over 100,000 students attend numerous higher education institutions, including the University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Major annual events are held there, such as the well-known Fiesta, a lively celebration featuring a wide range of activities across the city. Additionally, the area is home to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, the cowboy way of life is still prevalent, with monthly rodeos at the Stockyards and the yearly Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. The Casa Mañana Theatre and the internationally known museum area are among the city’s cultural endeavors.
Family-friendly attractions include the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth Nature Centre, and Fort Worth Refuge. Additionally, Fort Worth is home to the University of North Texas Health Science Center (HSC), a leading academic medical institution in the state.
4. Killeen
Nestled in the center of Texas, Killeen is family-friendly and home to Fort Hood, one of the nation’s largest military posts, with thousands of veterans and active-duty soldiers. There is no shortage of playground equipment for kids at the many parks located across the metropolitan area.
In the US, Killeen has been recognized as the ninth most affordable college town. Additionally, Texas A&M University ranks 4th nationwide for National Merit Scholar enrollment.
5. El Paso
El Paso offers a diverse range of recreational and cultural activities, like the Hueco Rock Rodeo and the Abraham Chavez Theatre, fashioned like a sombrero. Its closeness to Juarez, Mexico, brings with it an unpopular image; however, the metro area is quite safe, and work opportunities are abundant, with various industries, including government and healthcare.
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) provides numerous grants and scholarships, making it one of the most affordable research universities in the country, with nearly 170 degree programs available.
6. Beaumont
Among Beaumont’s numerous attractions are Tyrrell Park, the 900-acre Cattail Marsh Scenic Wetlands, and the 23-acre Beaumont Botanical Gardens. Beaumont also boasts a museum area reflecting the city’s history, while downtown offers live music and cultural venues, including the historic Jefferson Theatre.
Lamar University has gained national acclaim for the excellence of its bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. The university comprises 5 undergraduate colleges, 1 graduate college, and an honors college.
7. Corpus Christi
The coastal city of Corpus Christi is home to miles of beaches and estuaries, which are popular locations for a variety of water sports, such as surfing, boating, and fishing. The Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, the Art Museum of South Texas, and several yearly festivals, including the Texas Jazz Festival in Heritage Park, are just a few of the city’s many cultural highlights.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is uniquely located on its own island off the Texas Gulf Coast, surrounded by natural wetlands and offering stunning bay and beach views. This Doctoral Research Institution offers over 85 academic programs for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students.
Best Schools in Corpus Christi
8. Brownsville
The Port of Brownsville serves as the central hub for trade and transportation in southern Texas, and many residents speak Spanish there. In addition to the fantastic beaches along the Gulf Coast, there is the Resaca de la Palma State Park and the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. On top of that, there are cultural attractions such as the Camille Playhouse, the Historic Brownsville Museum, and the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art.
Brownsville, TX, is home to 3 major higher education institutions: the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTRGV), Texas Southmost College, and a regional campus of the University of Texas Health Science Center, which is ranked 25th among public health schools by US News & World Report on best health schools.
9. McAllen
McAllen, known for its pleasant winters and affordable housing, has city limits stretching south to the Rio Grande and is located across from the Mexican city of Reynosa. Other highlights include a wide variety of healthcare facilities, a young, bicultural community, and a bustling metro area serving as a significant hub for retail, international trade, tourism, and manufacturing.
There are various undergraduate degree programs available through the Texas A&M University Higher Education Centre in McAllen. Additionally, The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) provides fast-tracked healthcare programs for a range of medical and health-related occupations.
10. Houston
Houston is the center of the oil and gas sectors but is also a significant hub for manufacturing and healthcare. Alongside affordable housing, there is the 7,800-acre George Bush Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, and family-friendly events like free concerts at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, as well as a bustling retail scene.
The University of Houston is recognized as a top-tier public research university, offering an extensive range of over 300 degree programs. Texas Southern University (TSU) also contributes to the educational landscape with its diverse offering of more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs.
Texas Colleges and Universities
Texas is home to a large number of colleges and universities. The top ten colleges in Texas, ranked by US News & World Report in 2024, are:
- Rice University
- University of Texas at Austin
- Texas A&M University
- Southern Methodist University
- Baylor University
- Texas Christian University
- The University of Texas at Dallas
- University of Houston
- Texas Tech University
- University of St. Thomas (TX).
Texas’s Safest Retirement Cities
The top 11 safest places to retire in Texas have been determined by GOBankingRates using information from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, house values, and the percentage of residents aged 65 and over in each Texas city. Below are the top 10 cities listed:
- Horizon City
- Fulshear
- Colleyville
- Fairview
- Elgin
- Kerrville
- Friendswood
- Sugar Land
- Johnson City
- McAllen.
How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent in Texas
Locating a real estate agent with local experience can speed up finding the house of your dreams. Once you’ve narrowed down your area of choice, below are a few ways to help locate the top real estate agents.
- Reviews: Look for reviews on websites like Yelp, Google, and TrustPilot. It’s also a good idea to look through the social media accounts of agents to see what past customers have to say.
- Marketing: The top agents will be listed on websites like Realtor.com or have a strong online presence through a professional website.
- Collaboration: Listening to you is important, and a good agent will want to learn as much as possible to understand what you are looking for. Ensure that you can reach the agent using a convenient method of communication. An effective strategy is to email an agent with a query after you’ve spoken with them to see how swiftly they take action.
- Licensing: Always verify the agent’s license with the Texas Real Estate Commission before you proceed.
Related reading: Choosing a Real Estate Agent: Red Flags, Green Flags, and Everything in Between
How to Find the Best Interest Rates for a Mortgage
Obtain quotations from 3 different lenders, at the very least, to be sure you are getting the best deal. To compare them accurately, make sure you apply for each one on the same day. Applying for pre-qualification is your next move to determine your borrowing potential. Pre-qualification is non-binding and usually is completed 1 to 2 days after submitting your application. However, exercise caution and make sure the lender is not going to perform a hard credit inquiry, as this could impact your credit score.
It’s not enough to focus solely on getting the best mortgage rate; you also need to pay attention to the terms of your mortgage. The most straightforward way to ensure you obtain the best mortgage terms and rates is to speak with an experienced mortgage broker.
Selecting a broker with expertise in each of the 4 primary mortgage types is crucial. The requirements for these 4 loan types, including the down payment amount, are briefly explained below:
1. VA Loan
- Eligibility: Veterans, active duty military personnel (requiring at least 90 days of service), and spouses of veterans who passed away while serving their country are eligible for VA loans. Although most lenders demand a minimum of 620, it may be possible to get a VA Loan with a lower score under certain circumstances.
- Down payment: No down payment is needed, but there is typically a 1.5% funding fee applied to VA Loans; this might differ depending on the down payment and other factors.
2. FHA Loan
- Eligibility: Open to all applicants with a minimum credit score of 620, typically requires a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of no more than 43%.
- Down payment: A minimum down payment of 3.5% is required.
3. USDA Loan
- Eligibility: Income restrictions vary based on household size and location, and only homes situated in areas designated by the USDA are eligible. Use the eligibility map on the USDA website to determine which regions in Texas qualify for a USDA Loan.
- Down payment: There is potentially no down payment to get a USDA Loan.
4. Conventional Loan
- Eligibility: Accessible to everybody; however, this loan type generally demands a credit score of 620 or over.
- Down payment: A down payment of 3% is required.
At DSLD, our expert team will provide you with personalized advice, understanding, and guidance, enabling you to manage the mortgage process confidently and easily.
Seal the Deal with DSLD: Save Big, Lock Low Rates, and Close Fast
Moving forward with Purchasing a Home in Texas
Apart from offering mortgage solutions, the team at DSLD offers support during each stage of the homebuying process. Given that each homebuyer’s experience is unique, we are dedicated to understanding your financial situation and objectives. Our team of professionals is always happy to answer your questions and help you make the right decisions. The dream of buying a home in Texas can be stress-free with the right guidance.
Book Your Free Consultation Today
References
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- USA Facts — Which states have the highest and lowest crime rates? Published 23 February, 2024.
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