Your local starting points
Property research and financing
Build your Texas home financing plan
In Texas, build the ownership budget around the property’s local tax and insurance information. The Comptroller explains that property taxes are administered locally; a statewide rule of thumb cannot establish the bill for the home you want. For a purchase, compare mortgage offers with the same tax and insurance assumptions. For a refinance, separate an escrow change from a change in loan terms, and ask which restrictions or additional obligations apply to the transaction you are considering.
Research assistance through the official provider
TDHCA provides an eligibility starting point, education information and connections to approved loan officers. Confirm the current product terms and assistance repayment conditions. A preliminary eligibility check does not reserve funds or approve a mortgage. Confirm the provider and lender before sharing financial documents. These links do not establish TMP participation.
Use the local guide for an address-based starting point
Our Houston guide explains how to search Harris Central Appraisal District records by property and tax year. For a property elsewhere in Texas, locate the corresponding local office instead. Keep the parcel identifier and unresolved property questions with your mortgage documents.
Compare the whole financing decision
For a purchase, compare cash to close, monthly costs and reserves using consistent assumptions. For a refinance, ask for the new balance, costs, term and the time needed to recover costs through any savings. Review additional loans or assistance obligations before assuming the first-mortgage payoff is the entire amount due.
Questions to resolve in Texas
Where can I begin researching Texas homebuyer support?
TDHCA provides an eligibility starting point, education information and connections to approved loan officers. Confirm the current product terms and assistance repayment conditions. A preliminary eligibility check does not reserve funds or approve a mortgage. Confirm the current terms with the provider; TMP participation and borrower eligibility are not established by this guide.
Can the Houston property tools be used for every Texas home?
No. The local guide identifies the jurisdiction its resources cover. For a home elsewhere, use the office responsible for that parcel and ask it to clarify tax, property or permit records. A statewide service area is not a single records system.
What should I bring if I am refinancing rather than buying?
Bring the current mortgage statement, remaining term, escrow information and documents for any additional financing or assistance. Explain your goal and expected ownership period. Compare keeping your existing loan with the new balance, costs and repayment period of the proposed refinance.