Altura Realty Group

Strengthens your offer — sellers take pre-approved buyers seriously. In a multiple-offer situation, an offer without pre-approval goes to the bottom of the pile.
Defines your budget — know exactly what you can afford before you fall in love with something out of reach.
Speeds up the process — pre-approved buyers close faster. In competitive neighborhoods, speed wins.
Reveals credit issues early — if something needs to be fixed, it's better to know now than the day you go under contract.
Locks in your rate — some lenders allow you to lock your interest rate at pre-approval, protecting you from rate increases during your search.
Gives you negotiating confidence — walking into a negotiation knowing your financing is solid changes everything.

Finding the right home is a process — and we make it as efficient and enjoyable as possible. Here's how it works:
Search online — Browse up-to-date MLS listings directly on our website. Filter by neighborhood, price range, bedrooms, and more to narrow your search.
Create a free account — Save your favorite properties, set up listing alerts, and request showings directly from our site so you never miss a new listing.
Share your wish list — Tell us your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal-breakers. The more we know, the better we can match you with the right homes.
We search on your behalf — As your REALTOR® team, we actively search for homes that match your criteria — including off-market and pre-market properties through our local network.
Schedule showings — When you find a home you love, we'll arrange a private showing so you can walk the property in person, ask questions, and evaluate it with expert guidance.
Evaluate with confidence — We'll help you assess each home not just on emotion, but on value, location, school district, resale potential, and long-term investment merit.

When you find the right home, moving quickly and strategically is critical. Here's how we approach the offer process:
Review comparable sales — We research recent sales in the neighborhood to determine fair market value and recommend a competitive offer price.
Structure your offer — We craft every detail — price, earnest money, option period, closing date, and contingencies — to make your offer as strong as possible.
Present your offer — We present your offer professionally and promptly to the seller's agent, along with your pre-approval letter.
Negotiate on your behalf — If the seller counters, we guide you through every round of negotiation to reach the best possible terms.
Multiple offer strategy — In competitive situations, we'll advise you on how to stand out without overpaying.

Once the seller accepts your offer, you are officially under contract. Here's what happens next:
Option period begins — You have a set number of days to conduct inspections and, if needed, terminate the contract for any reason for a small fee.
Earnest money is deposited — Your earnest money is wired to the title company as a show of good faith, typically within 3 days of going under contract.
Title search begins — The title company researches the property's ownership history to ensure there are no liens or legal issues.
Deadlines are tracked — Your Altura agent monitors every critical deadline and coordinates with all parties to keep the transaction moving forward smoothly.

A thorough home inspection is one of the most important steps in the buying process. Here's what to expect:
Hire a licensed inspector — We'll recommend trusted, thorough inspectors who know Houston's unique housing stock and common issues.
Attend the inspection — Your Altura agent attends every inspection personally. Plan to be present — it's the best way to understand your home inside and out.
Review the report — Once complete, we help you understand what's a serious concern, what's normal wear and tear, and what's worth negotiating.
Request repairs or credits — If issues are found, we draft an amendment requesting repairs, a price reduction, or closing cost credits from the seller.
Make an informed decision — If inspection findings are significant, you have the right to terminate the contract during the option period and receive your option fee back.

If you are financing your purchase, your lender will order an independent appraisal. Here's what the process looks like:
Lender orders the appraisal — A licensed, independent appraiser is assigned by your lender to evaluate the property's market value.
Appraiser visits the home — The appraiser inspects the property and compares it to recent sales of similar homes in the area.
Report is delivered — The appraisal report is sent to your lender, typically within 1–2 weeks of going under contract.
If it comes in at value — You move forward with no changes needed.
If it comes in low — Your Altura agent will help you renegotiate the price, cover the difference, or exercise your appraisal contingency to protect your earnest money.

Twenty-four to forty-eight hours before closing, you'll walk through the property one final time. Here's what we check:
Repairs were completed — Confirm all agreed-upon repairs from the inspection amendment have been done properly.
Condition is unchanged — Verify the home is in the same condition as when you made your offer — no new damage or changes.
Inclusions are present — Confirm all appliances, fixtures, and items included in the sale are still in the home.
Systems are working — Test HVAC, appliances, plumbing, and electrical to make sure everything is functioning properly.
Address any issues — If problems are discovered, your Altura agent will work quickly to resolve them before closing.

Closing day is the finish line — and we'll be there with you every step of the way. Here's what to expect:
Receive your Closing Disclosure — Three days before closing, your lender sends a detailed breakdown of all closing costs and your final cash to close amount.
Wire your funds — Bring a cashier's check or wire transfer for your down payment and closing costs to the title company.
Sign your documents — You'll sign your loan documents and transfer of ownership paperwork at the title company. Plan for 1–2 hours.
Funds are disbursed — The title company distributes funds to the seller, pays off any existing liens, and collects lender fees.
Deed is recorded — The title company records the deed with the county, officially transferring ownership to you.
Keys are yours — Once recording is confirmed, you receive your keys. You're a homeowner. Congratulations.

Buying In Houston