Real Estate Education for Texas
Plain-English real estate education for Texans. Whether you’re buying your first home in Houston, selling in Austin, or building a rental portfolio in Cypress — start with the foundational education your transaction deserves.
Educational only · No-pressure guidance · Real estate education from a Texas perspective.01The Texas story
Texas has the largest, fastest-growing real estate market in the country. Here’s what makes it different.
30M+
Population — 2nd largest state in the U.S.
7.5%
Annual population growth — top 5 nationally
No
State income tax — major reason for relocations
Strong
Homestead protection laws — strongest in nation
02Texas markets
Pick your market for hyper-local education, market data, and direct connection to our expert partners in the area.Major Metros
Houston-area Markets
Cypress
Northwest Houston · Master-planned communities · CFISD
Tomball
Northwest suburb · Tomball ISD · Family-friendly
Spring
North Houston · Klein ISD · Energy corridor commuters
The Woodlands
Master-planned community · Conroe ISD · Forest setting
Katy
West Houston · Katy ISD · Energy corridor commutes
Sugar Land
Southwest Houston · Fort Bend ISD · Highest-rated schools
Pearland
South Houston · Pearland ISD · Medical Center commutes
League City
Bay Area · Clear Creek ISD · NASA proximity
03Real estate education
The educational foundation behind every successful Texas real estate decision.
04Texas-specific programs
Federal and Texas-state programs that may apply to your purchase or refinance.
Texas Bootstrap Loan
Owner-occupied DPA assistance for first-time and low/moderate income buyers.
TSAHC Programs
Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation — DPA grants, low-rate mortgages.
Texas Homestead
Among the strongest homestead exemption laws in the country.
Texas Veterans Programs
VLB Mortgage Loan, Texas Veterans Housing Assistance, federal VA options.
05Texas FAQ
The most common questions about buying, selling, and owning real estate in Texas.
Why are so many people moving to Texas?
Texas is one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S. with population growth of 7.5% over the past five years. Key drivers: no state income tax, lower cost of living than coastal markets, strong job market across diverse industries (energy, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, finance), business-friendly regulations, and warmer weather. Major employers include ExxonMobil, AT&T, Dell, Texas Medical Center, and a fast-growing tech sector in Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth.
What are Texas property taxes like?
Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are higher than the national average — typically 1.6-2.5% of assessed home value annually. The rate varies significantly by county and municipality. Houston-area suburbs often have rates of 2-2.5%, while Austin and rural areas can range from 1.5-2%. Texas has strong homestead exemption laws that reduce taxes on owner-occupied primary residences, often saving thousands per year.
What is the Texas Homestead Exemption
The Texas Homestead Exemption is one of the strongest in the country. It provides three protections: (1) reduces property tax burden by exempting a portion of your home’s value from taxation, (2) protects the home from forced sale by most creditors (with exceptions for mortgages, mechanic’s liens, and taxes), and (3) caps how much your property tax can increase each year (10% cap on appraised value for homestead properties). You must apply for it — it’s not automatic.
What down payment assistance is available in Texas?
Texas has several state-level DPA programs: TSAHC (Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation) offers DPA grants and low-interest mortgages for income-qualifying buyers. Texas Bootstrap Loan helps low and moderate income buyers with owner-occupied purchases. Many local cities and counties have their own programs (Houston has SETH 5 Star, Austin has Down Payment Assistance, etc.). Eligibility typically requires being a first-time buyer (no home ownership in past 3 years) and meeting income limits.
How does the Texas real estate market compare to other states?
Texas markets have strong fundamentals: continuous population growth, diverse job markets, lower price-to-rent ratios than coastal states, and high investor activity. Major markets (Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio) tend to outperform national averages during expansion phases. Texas markets can see significant volatility — Austin saw rapid appreciation during 2020-2022 followed by corrections in 2023-2024. Local market knowledge matters more than statewide trends.
Texas real estate education is general guidance only. Local market conditions, programs, tax considerations, and legal requirements vary by county, city, and individual situation. Speak with qualified Texas-licensed professionals before making decisions.
Explore Texas Real Estate Education
Browse pillar education on buying, selling, financing, investing, and home maintenance. Or speak with our team to find the right local partner for your specific market.