Step 1: Determine Home Budget
Before you start shopping for that dream home, it's a good idea to determine how much you can afford to borrow. We recommend that you spend some time looking at your budget. Make a list of where your money comes from and where your money goes to each month, and develop a personalized income and expense report.You need financial tools like ones HERE to evaluate your situation.

Step 2: Finding and Securing the Home
Once you know how much you can afford, you're ready to find a property. We recommend that you make a list of those factors that are important to you. Location is probably the most important factor you should consider. Find out more about the neighborhood by talking to neighbors, local businesses, and schools; use Useful Links to research school, crime, and demographics online. Other factors include number of rooms, size of rooms, proximity to your job and the quality of the school district - and then rank those items in order of importance.

To find out how to select location, home builder and search for a new home in Houston area please visit Search for New Homes page for new homes.

Step 3: Applying for a Loan
Once you have secured a new home by signing the Earnest Money contract you need to start the load application. Builders usually require home buyers to start this process within 5 to 7 business days. Visit our Loan page to learn about the load and answers to some of frequently asked questions, regardless whether you use a builder-approved/preferred lender or find a lender by yourself.

Step 4: Home Owner Insurance
Homeowners insurance protects you if your home is damaged or destroyed. In addition, it covers your family's possessions and can provide you with compensation for liability claims, medical expenses, and other amounts that result from property damage and personal injury suffered by others. Our Insurance page contains useful information about the home owner insurance and tips of selecting and lowering home insurance cost.

Step 5: Inspection
It is good insurance to hire a professional to inspect a new home. Just because a house is new doesn't mean that it was built correctly. City inspectors sometimes overlook code violations. Your inspector should help you prepare a punch list of items the builder needs to complete by closing. Be sure to visit our Inspection page for more inspection related information.

Step 6: Closing
The closing is the most crucial step in the mortgage process, because legal documents are signed and substantial amounts of money exchange hands. It is also the most exciting step, because it is the only thing standing between you and your new home. The closing is usually held at one of the builder selected title companies.