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PEACHES BROWNLoKation Real Estate · Houston, TX

Buyer's Guide

Buying a house in Houston: a step-by-step guide

A plain-English plan for buying in Houston, with the local rules and records to check before you sign.

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Buyer's Guide

Buying a home in Houston, Texas

  1. Get pre-approved

    Rates moved above 7% in late September1; get a current quote.

  2. Read the disclosure

    Texas sellers generally must give a written disclosure2.

  3. Flood check

    Use the Harris County flood tool and FEMA maps34.

  4. Check taxing units

    HCAD lists city, school, county and MUD taxes5.

  5. Schools

    Confirm district by address with TEA6.

  6. Homestead

    File after you move in7.

Quick Answers

Buying a house in Houston: questions answered

What is the first step to buying a house in Houston?

Get pre-approved by a lender so you know your budget, then pick a few neighborhoods to compare before you tour homes.

Who can help me buy or sell a home in Houston, TX?

Nancy “Peaches” Brown, a realtor with LoKation Real Estate, helps buyers and sellers in Houston, TX and the greater Houston area. Use the contact page to send a request and she will reply to set a time.

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Sources

Where these facts come from

Figures change. Verify details for a specific address with the official source before you decide.

  1. HAR: Housing market activity cools in Houston (September 2026), Houston Agent Magazine, reporting HAR data (accessed 2026-10-15).
  2. Texas Property Code, Chapter 5 (seller's disclosure, Sec. 5.008), Texas Legislature (accessed 2026-10-15).
  3. Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool, Harris County Flood Control District (accessed 2026-10-15).
  4. FEMA Flood Map Service Center, Federal Emergency Management Agency (accessed 2026-10-15).
  5. Harris Central Appraisal District, Harris Central Appraisal District (accessed 2026-10-15).
  6. School District Locator, Texas Education Agency (accessed 2026-10-15).
  7. Property tax exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (accessed 2026-10-15).