Updated October 2026 by Texas Made Mortgage, Frisco, TX.
Quick answer: You can buy a Texas home from another state without flying in for closing. Get pre-approved on your new Texas income (an offer letter works on most programs), shop with a local agent on video, use the option period for inspections, and sign with a mobile notary wherever you are; Texas title companies handle remote and out-of-state closings routinely. Budget for the big differences: property taxes paid monthly through escrow, hail-driven insurance premiums, no state income tax, and a contract structure (option period, earnest money, title company closing) that differs from most states.
How do I qualify when my job has not started yet?
With the offer letter or employment contract. Conventional loans can close before your start date when it is within 90 days of closing and you have reserves to bridge the gap; FHA and VA generally want you to be on payroll or very close to it; physician and nurse programs accept contracts months out. Your new salary is what counts, not the old one. See getting a mortgage with a new job or offer letter.
What is different about buying in Texas?
Option period. You pay a small fee for the right to terminate for any reason during a 5 to 10 day window. Inspections happen inside it.
Earnest money and option fee go to the title company within three days of contract.
Title company closings. No closing attorney. Title premiums are set by the state, so every company charges the same policy price.
Property taxes are the main local tax (no state income tax) and run roughly 1.7% to 2.5% of value in DFW before exemptions. They are escrowed monthly.
Homestead exemption. File it yourself after closing; it does not transfer from the seller.
Insurance. Hail and wind make premiums higher than many states; coastal areas need separate windstorm coverage.
Community property. A spouse may sign closing documents even if not on the loan.
MUDs and PIDs. Many new neighborhoods carry an extra district tax or assessment.
How does a remote closing work?
The title company emails the closing package a few days before.
A mobile notary meets you at home or work in your current state, or you use remote online notarization where allowed.
You wire funds after confirming instructions by phone with the title company at a number you looked up yourself. Never trust emailed wire changes.
Documents are overnighted to Texas, the lender funds, the county records, and you get the keys through your agent or the builder.
What does a 90-day relocation timeline look like?
Days 1 to 10: Pre-approval with the offer letter. Pick a target area and tax budget; our DFW tax rates page compares 17 cities.
Days 10 to 40: Tour on video or during one scouting trip. Make the offer with a fully reviewed pre-approval; sellers notice.
Days 40 to 50: Option period, inspection, insurance quote, HOA documents.
Days 50 to 75: Appraisal, underwriting, title. Keep your financial life quiet: no new credit, no large undocumented transfers.
Days 75 to 90: Closing Disclosure, remote signing, funding, move.
Should I rent first or buy right away?
Renting first costs a second move and a year of rent, but buys local knowledge. Buying first works when you know the employer's location and the school district you want. Many relocating families split the difference: buy in a well-known area like Frisco, Plano or McKinney with resale strength, then refine on the second move. Our rent vs. buy calculator puts numbers on it.
Does my out-of-state home affect the new loan?
If you still own it, the payment counts in your ratio unless it is sold or under contract to close first, or rented with a lease and deposit documented. If it is listed but not yet sold, ask about a contingent offer or a recast after the sale. See buying before you sell.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a lender from my old state?
Only if they are licensed in Texas. A Texas lender also knows the tax, title and contract specifics that trip up out-of-state loan officers.
Do relocation packages count as down payment?
Employer relocation funds can be used for closing costs and sometimes down payment when documented as a benefit, not a loan.
Which DFW cities do relocating buyers choose most?
Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Prosper and Southlake lead for corporate moves, with Celina and Little Elm for newer construction at lower prices.
Relocating to North Texas? Talk to a loan officer at Texas Made Mortgage in Frisco or call 817-567-8014. We close relocating buyers remotely every month.
Texas Made Mortgage, NMLS #2676326. This article is general education, not legal or tax advice, a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Program rules and timelines vary. All loans subject to credit approval. Equal Housing Opportunity.
