Free guide

Buying a home
in Round Rock &
Austin.

A plain-English walkthrough of the process, the Texas-specific parts nobody explains, and what to actually budget for — from broker Sean Gajjar.

01 — The process

The buying timeline

Texas contracts move fast once you're under contract. Here's the order things actually happen in.

  1. 1

    Get pre-approved

    Before you tour anything. A lender reviews income, credit, and debt and gives you a real number — not the informal "pre-qualified" estimate. Sellers in this market expect a pre-approval letter with an offer.

  2. 2

    Search & tour

    We go look at houses together — no showing service, no hand-off to a junior agent. You get the broker on every walkthrough.

  3. 3

    Make an offer

    Texas uses standardized TREC contract forms. We build the offer around price, option period length, and any repair or closing-cost requests.

  4. 4

    Option period

    Typically 7–10 days. This is your real inspection window — see Texas-specific terms below, it works differently than most states.

  5. 5

    Inspection & negotiation

    Get the home inspected, then negotiate repairs or a credit before the option period ends.

  6. 6

    Appraisal

    Your lender orders one to confirm the home supports the loan amount.

  7. 7

    Closing

    Usually ~30 days from contract. Final walkthrough, then signing at the title company. Keys handed over the same day.

02 — Money

Financing basics

Get pre-approved — not just pre-qualified — before you start touring. Then shop the rate.

Loan types

  • Conventional — as low as 3% down with good credit
  • FHA — 3.5% down, more flexible credit requirements
  • VA — 0% down for eligible veterans and service members
  • USDA — 0% down in eligible rural/suburban areas near Austin

Down payment assistance

  • TDHCA "My First Texas Home" — below-market rate + down payment assistance
  • TSAHC — grants and assistance for Texas homebuyers
  • Local city/county programs in Williamson and Travis County — worth asking your lender what you qualify for

Get quotes from at least two or three lenders — rate and fees vary more than people expect for the same loan type.

03 — The fine print

Texas-specific terms

A few things Texas contracts do differently than what you may have heard from out-of-state friends or shows.

Option period ≠ contingency

Texas contracts include an "option period" — usually 7–10 days — where you pay a small, non-refundable option fee (commonly $100–200) for the unrestricted right to walk away for any reason. This is your real inspection contingency. Once it ends, backing out gets much more expensive.

Earnest money vs. option fee

Earnest money (typically ~1% of price) is held by the title company and is refundable if you terminate during the option period. The option fee is separate, smaller, and non-refundable — it's what you pay for the right to walk away.

Property taxes & the homestead exemption

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes run higher than average — commonly 1.8–2.2% effective in Williamson and Travis County. File a homestead exemption after closing on your primary residence: it reduces your taxable value and caps how much your appraised value can rise each year.

Title company, not attorneys

Unlike some states, Texas closings are typically handled by a title company rather than a real estate attorney. The title company holds earnest money, runs title search, and hosts the closing.

04 — The real numbers

What to budget for

Beyond the down payment, here's what typically comes due before you get keys.

Closing costs~2–3% of purchase price
Option fee~$100–200, due within 3 days of contract
Earnest money~1% of price, due within 3 days
Home inspection~$400–600
Appraisal~$500–650 (usually rolled into closing costs)
HOA transfer/duesVaries by community, if applicable
05 — Where

Round Rock & Vizcaya

Round Rock sits in Williamson County, zoned to Round Rock ISD, roughly 25 minutes from downtown Austin along I-35. It's close to the tech corridor — Dell's headquarters and a growing employer base along 79 and I-35 — without downtown Austin pricing. Vizcaya is an established, family-oriented community within Round Rock; it's where our current listing at 2743 Enza Ct sits.

06 — At the showing

Questions worth asking

A short list to bring with you — the answers shape your offer and your option-period inspection priorities.

  • Age of the roof, HVAC system, and water heater
  • Any past foundation repairs, and is there a transferable warranty? (Common question on Texas clay soil.)
  • Is the property in a flood zone?
  • HOA rules, dues, and what they cover
  • Typical utility bills, especially summer electric
  • School zoning, if that matters to you
Ready when you are

Let's talk
through it.

A 30-minute call, no slide deck. We'll go through timing, budget, and neighborhoods, then go look at houses.

Schedule a call

General information for Round Rock and Austin-area buyers, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Loan programs, fees, and tax rates change — confirm current numbers with your lender, title company, or a CPA before relying on them.