First-Time Buyers
6 articles on First-Time Buyers from Mali Gariani: market data, neighborhood detail, and what it actually means for your move.
FHA vs Conventional vs VA in North Texas: The Real Trade-offs (2026)
The mortgage insurance rules decide this, not the down payment. FHA MIP at 3.5% down never comes off. Conventional PMI is cancellable by federal law.
The Texas Option Period: Your Right to Walk Away (2026)
TREC changed the contract on July 1, 2026. The termination option is paragraph 5B, the fee goes to the title company, and one blank left empty voids the right.
How Much House Can You Afford in Frisco on $150K?
About $477,000 - against a Frisco median of $656,300. Here’s the arithmetic, why the two DTI limits disagree by $250,000, and what to do about the gap.
Rent vs Buy in Plano in 2026: The Honest Math
At 6.55% and a median Plano house of $507,600, renting is about $1,350 a month cheaper. Here’s the break-even, and the one assumption the whole answer turns on.
Lewisville, TX: Where a Normal DFW Income Can Buy (2026)
Every other city on this blog needs an income above the metro median. Lewisville doesn’t - a $399,761 median against a $93,715 income, the closest fit out here.
First-Time Home Buyer Guide for Plano, TX (2026)
What first-time buyers need to know about buying a home in Plano, TX - from pre-approval to closing day, with local pricing, programs, and insider tips.