A Complete Step-by-Step Homebuying Timeline For First-Time Homebuyers

Buying a home in Texas is a big decision—but it doesn’t have to be a drawn-out one. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, relocating for work, or upgrading to your next place, understanding the full timeline helps you plan with confidence. So, how long does it take to buy a house in Texas? On average, the process takes between 30 to 90 days, but that range depends on multiple factors—some in your control, and others tied to the market.

In this guide, we’ll break down every stage of the Texas home buying journey—from early planning to closing day—and explain how to move faster without cutting corners. We'll also answer frequently asked questions and show you how to prepare like a pro.

Phase 1: Getting Ready (1–2 Weeks)

The first phase of buying a home is about getting your finances in order and choosing your mortgage partner.

Step 1: Set Your Budget

Start by getting a realistic sense of what you can afford. This includes:

• Estimating your monthly payment comfort zone
• Reviewing your credit score
• Accounting for taxes, insurance, and HOA fees common in many Texas neighborhoods

Many Texas buyers are surprised to learn they can qualify for more than they expected—or less—depending on their debt-to-income ratio, credit score, and financial documentation. One of the biggest surprises for buyers is how much their credit score can impact their loan terms. If your score comes in higher than expected, you might qualify for a lower mortgage rate, which can significantly improve your buying power. Conversely, a lower-than-expected score may mean a higher interest rate, which could shrink your price range or increase your monthly payments.

Because your credit score directly affects your loan's pricing, it’s crucial to speak with a mortgage expert early in the process. A good broker can run a soft credit check up front, help you understand your score, and even suggest quick improvements that could raise your score before you lock in a rate. These small adjustments—like paying down a credit card or correcting an error on your report—can have a major impact on what you can afford and how quickly you can close.

Step 2: Get Prequalified or Preapproved

Prequalification is a fast way to get an estimate based on self-reported income and a soft credit check. It’s a useful starting point when you’re early in the process and just getting a sense of your potential price range, and in the Texas housing market in 2025, it's enough to get you under contract. Note that if you're in a competitive housing market, you may want to go for the full blown preapproval to make your offer stand out in a multiple offer situation.

Why? Because a preapproval is more robust. It requires you to submit financial documents—including pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements—for a more thorough underwriting review. A lender will also pull your full credit report and verify your employment. 

At LendFriend, we typically recommend starting with a prequalification—it’s fast, easy, and gives you a great baseline for what you can afford. LendFriend's prequal process still reviews your documents but it's all done on a soft pull (i.e., won't affect your credit). However, in certain situations, a full preapproval may be necessary, especially if you’re entering a competitive bidding environment or if your financial profile is complex.

Our team will always help you determine which approach makes the most sense for your needs and your timeline. In fast-moving Texas markets like Austin, Dallas, or Frisco, a strong preapproval letter can give you an edge when competing with multiple offers.

Beyond the offer stage, a preapproval also helps you avoid surprises down the road. If there are any issues with your credit, income verification, or debts, it’s better to catch them early. In fact, we often catch and correct deal-breakers in this step—saving buyers from delays once they’re under contract.

Want to dig deeper? Read our full breakdown on Prequalification vs. Preapproval.

Step 3: Choose a Mortgage Partner

Not all lenders offer the same experience. While banks and direct lenders are limited to their own loan products and often don't have products for self-employed individuals, real estate investors or other non-QM loan products, mortgage brokers act as your advocate—shopping your application across multiple wholesale lenders to find the best deal. This often leads to better pricing, more flexibility on underwriting, and an overall smoother experience.

A Texas-based mortgage broker—like LendFriend—can help you navigate local market conditions and tailor your loan to your financial goals. Whether you’re buying a $250,000 starter home or a $1 million move-up property, working with a mortgage broker often results in lower rates, fewer surprises, and faster closings.

Learn more: Mortgage Brokers vs. Banks—Who Really Gets You the Best Deal?

Phase 2: Shopping for a Home (2–6 Weeks)

Once you're prequalified or preapproved, it's time for the fun part: house hunting. This is where dreams meet real-life floor plans, and weekend open houses suddenly become the highlight of your social calendar. But how long does this part take?

Factors That Influence the Homebuying Search Timeline

• Your price range: Lower price points in Texas can mean tighter competition, especially for move-in-ready homes.
• Location: While some areas (like suburbs around San Antonio) have plenty of options, others (like South Austin or McKinney) are still seeing quicker turnover.
• Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves: The more flexible you are, the faster your search usually goes.

We’ve seen buyers find a home in a single weekend—and others take several weeks to land the perfect fit. Looking in a specific school district or for unique features (like a home office, pool, or big yard) can stretch the timeline a bit longer.

If you don’t already have a trusted real estate agent, we’re happy to help. We’ve worked with top-tier agents across Texas who know the market and have the experience to make your offer stand out. Let us introduce you.

First-time buyer? Don’t miss our guide: 12 Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers in Texas Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Making an Offer in Texas

Once you’ve found the right place, your agent will help you craft a competitive offer. This includes determining how much earnest money to put down (typically 1% of the purchase price), choosing a closing timeline, and negotiating terms like inspections, repairs, and the option period.

While Texas isn’t moving at a lightning pace in 2025, well-priced homes in desirable areas can still attract multiple offers. That’s why having your prequalification or preapproval letter—and proof of funds—ready to go helps give sellers confidence that you’re serious and prepared to close.

Speed is often critical—especially in areas where homes get multiple offers. That’s why having your preapproval and proof of funds ready is key.

Phase 3: From Contract to Closing (30–45 Days)

This phase is the most technical—and where most delays can happen if you’re not working with a strong team.

The Standard Texas Contract Timeline

Most home purchase contracts in Texas are written with a 30-day closing timeline, which includes several important steps—from inspections to locking in your mortgage rate and preparing for move-in:

• Lock in Your Interest Rate (1-2 days After Executing Contract): You can lock in your interest rate any time after the contract is received, but we recommend doing it within the first day or two to avoid surprises. At LendFriend, we offer a Free Float-Down Option if rates drop after you’ve locked in—so you can secure your rate with confidence and still take advantage of market improvements.—this is a critical step that can protect you from market swings
• Option period (3–10 days): Your chance to conduct inspections and back out for any reason. It’s essential to take this time seriously. We always recommend a professional home inspection to uncover any red flags early—read more in our guide on why every buyer in Austin should get a home inspection.
• Appraisal (typically ordered after the inspection): Once you’ve completed your inspection and are moving forward with the contract, your lender will order the appraisal to confirm the home’s value and ensure the purchase price aligns with market conditions.
• Underwriting and final approval (1–2 weeks): Once your file is complete—including appraisal, title, and signed disclosures—it moves to underwriting. This is when your lender thoroughly reviews your income, assets, debts, and credit to ensure everything meets loan guidelines. If anything is missing or needs clarification (called a “loan condition”), your lender will request it before issuing final approval. During this stage, communication is key. Responding quickly to document requests and staying in close contact with your loan officer can help prevent delays. Once all conditions are satisfied, your loan receives what's called a 'Clear to Close,' meaning you’re officially ready to sign final paperwork and move into closing.
• Title search and insurance: Ensures the seller has the legal right to sell the property and protects you against future claims or title disputes.
• Final walkthrough and closing: Typically the day before or morning of your scheduled closing. This is your chance to confirm that repairs were completed and the home is in the agreed-upon condition.

Most buyers can expect to close within 30 to 45 days of an accepted offer—assuming no major red flags or delays. To stay on track, this is also the time to start lining up moving logistics, scheduling utility transfers, and notifying your employer, landlord, or schools if necessary.

How Fast Can You Buy a Home in Texas?

We’ve helped clients close in as little as 10 business days—but that kind of speed takes a highly organized team, proactive planning, and excellent financial readiness. While most buyers don’t need to move that fast, it’s helpful to know what makes a quicker closing possible.

Here’s how to accelerate your home purchase:

• Get pre-underwritten: This goes beyond preapproval by having a lender fully review and conditionally approve your file upfront. It makes your offer stronger and speeds up the underwriting timeline later.
• Make sure your credit score is solid: A high credit score can mean faster approvals and better rates. If you’re unsure where you stand, LendFriend can run a soft credit check and help you clean up any surprises before you go under contract.
• Work with a local team: Choosing a Texas-based agent, mortgage broker, title company, and inspector can reduce bottlenecks, especially when tight timelines matter.

Cash buyers often close in under 10 days. But even with financing, it’s possible to close as fast with the right team.

Classic Examples of Texas Homebuyer Timelines

Let’s bring this timeline to life with a couple of  examples that illustrate how the process can vary based on your situation and goals.

Case Study #1: First-Time Buyer in Austin

When Maria decided to stop renting and buy her first home in Austin, she wasn’t sure where to begin. She reached out to LendFriend and was prequalified within 48 hours. With her budget in hand and a clear sense of what monthly payment she could comfortably afford, she hit the ground running.

Maria spent about three weeks touring neighborhoods she liked—mostly South Austin and parts of East Austin. She eventually found a cozy two-bedroom bungalow with a backyard and quick access to the greenbelt. She made a solid offer with her prequalification letter, negotiated a few repairs during the option period, and closed 32 days later with no surprises.

Total timeline: About 6 weeks from prequalification to closing

Case Study #2: Move-Up Buyer in Houston Using Bridge Loan

Chris and Danielle had a growing family and needed more space. But like many homeowners in Texas, they didn’t want to sell their current home before locking in their next one. After speaking with LendFriend, they learned about bridge loans and were prequalified right away.

They found their dream home in a top-rated school district just outside Houston. By using bridge financing, they made a strong, non-contingent offer that stood out. The inspection, appraisal, and underwriting all moved along smoothly. While they took their time prepping their old home for the market, they closed on the new one 45 days after going under contract—with no rushed move or double mortgage stress.

Total timeline: About 7 weeks, from first conversation to keys in hand

Want to explore how bridge loans and delayed financing work in Texas? Check out our guide: How to Buy a New Home Before Selling Your Current One (Without the Stress)

FAQs: Common Questions About Texas Home Buying Timelines

How important is it to have a realtor experienced with homes in my neighborhood?
Very. A local, neighborhood-savvy agent can give you a major advantage. They understand pricing trends, what sellers are expecting, and which homes are worth acting on quickly. That hyper-local knowledge often makes the difference in negotiation strategy, offer structure, and post-inspection credits. If you don’t already have a great agent, we’re happy to introduce you to one.

How long does a mortgage preapproval last in Texas?

Most are valid for 60 to 90 days. You can renew or update it if your financial situation changes.

Can I switch lenders during the process?

Yes, but it’s easiest to do so before you’re under contract. After that, switching lenders can delay your closing.

What happens if my appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price?

If your appraisal comes in lower than what you offered, your lender will base your loan on the appraised value—not the higher purchase price. This can create a gap that you’ll need to cover out of pocket or negotiate down with the seller. You may have a few options: renegotiate the sales price, challenge the appraisal, or pay the difference in cash. It’s a stressful scenario, but not uncommon—especially in areas where prices are rising or demand is uneven. Having a good lender and agent on your side can make all the difference in navigating it.

What’s the fastest way to buy a house in Texas?

Paying cash is obviously the quickest route, but it’s not the only one. If you're financing, working with a mortgage broker and getting pre-approved can significantly accelerate the process - if you need to move quickly. Pre-approved means your loan has already been reviewed and conditionally approved—making your offer stronger and reducing delays once you’re under contract.

How long is the option period in Texas?

Typically 5 to 10 days, negotiated in the purchase contract. It allows you to inspect the home and back out for any reason.

Does new construction take longer to close?

It depends on whether the property is already completed. New construction homes that have received a certificate of occupancy can often close just as quickly as existing homes. However, if the home is still under construction or waiting on final inspections, the process may take significantly longer. Weather delays, supply chain issues, and last-minute builder punch lists can also impact your closing timeline. If you're considering new construction, it’s important to ask about expected delivery dates and completion status up front.

Final Thoughts: Be Ready, Be Flexible, and Choose the Right Team

Most Texas homebuyers will close in 45 to 60 days from the moment they take home shopping seriously, but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your timeline will depend on how prepared you are, how competitive your local market is, and the strength of your financing and offer. Right now, with more inventory on the market in Austin than there’s been in years, it’s a great time for buyers to find their ideal home and negotiate a great deal.

At LendFriend Mortgage, we specialize in helping Texas buyers move quickly and confidently. From first-time homebuyers to experienced investors, we’ll guide you through every step with transparency, speed, and expert support.

Have a question? Give us a call at 512.881.5099 or get in touch with me by completing this quick form, and I'll reach out as soon as possible.