Frequently Asked Questions

Less than most buyers think. Conventional loans can start around 3 to 5 percent down, FHA around 3.5 percent, and VA loans can be zero down for eligible buyers. Texas also has down payment assistance programs many buyers qualify for and never hear about. We walk you through what you would actually need for your price range and connect you with lenders who explain the numbers instead of rushing you.

Buyer representation is spelled out in a written buyer agreement before we tour homes, so you always know the terms up front. In many DFW transactions the seller still offers to cover some or all of the buyer agent compensation, and where they do not, we negotiate it as part of the deal. There are no surprise fees and nothing is hidden.

Most of our buyers go from first conversation to keys in about 30 to 60 days once they are pre-approved. Touring and finding the right home is usually the variable part; from an accepted offer to closing typically runs 30 to 45 days depending on your loan and the option and appraisal timelines.

Yes, and it costs you nothing extra. The builder sales rep works for the builder, not for you. We review the builder contract, flag the upgrades that will not come back at resale, protect your inspection and financing rights, and negotiate incentives. Bring us with you on the first visit, because most builders require your agent to be present at initial registration.

Texas has no state income tax, so property taxes carry more of the load. Combined rates across DFW commonly land in roughly the 2 to 2.7 percent range of assessed value depending on the city, county, school district, and any MUD or PID. That difference can change your monthly payment more than the list price does, so we show you the real all-in cost per home instead of just the sticker.

It depends far more on your timeline than on trying to time the market. Inventory across Dallas-Fort Worth has loosened compared to the frenzy years, which means buyers have more room to negotiate on price, repairs, and rate buydowns. We will tell you honestly if we think you should wait, because a bad purchase helps nobody.

We price from evidence, not from wishful thinking. We look at recent comparable sales in your specific neighborhood, current competing listings, days on market, and what buyers are actually paying for your finish level. You get an honest number from day one, even when it is lower than you hoped, because overpricing is the fastest way to sit on the market and end up taking less.

Usually far less than sellers expect. We walk your home with you and tell you which repairs and updates will actually return money in your neighborhood and which ones will not. Most of the value comes from cleaning, decluttering, paint, lighting, and handling anything that would show up as a red flag on an inspection.

Well-priced, well-presented homes in DFW typically go under contract within a few weeks, then take another 30 to 45 days to close while the buyer completes financing and appraisal. Pricing is the single biggest lever. Homes that sit are almost always priced wrong, not marketed wrong.

Plan for agent compensation as negotiated in your listing agreement, plus title and closing costs, and any repairs or concessions you agree to during negotiation. We give you a written net sheet before you list so you can see your estimated proceeds at several price points, with no vague answers about what you will walk away with.

It depends on your equity, your loan options, and your tolerance for moving twice. We map out the options with you, including bridge and buy-before-you-sell programs, and we are honest about the risk in each one. We do not push whichever path happens to close faster for us.

Start with how you want to live, not with a list of houses. Tell us where you will work, what your commute tolerance is, what schools matter, and what kind of neighborhood feels like home. We give you the real story on East Dallas, Richardson, Plano and the surrounding areas, including the parts locals know and listing photos never show, and we can tour homes with you on video if you cannot be here yet.

The Unlocking DFW Team is Jamie Simpson and Tiya Nguyen, REALTORS with Call It Closed International Realty in Dallas, Texas. Best friends who moved from Oklahoma to Dallas, they have closed 151+ transactions totaling more than $60 million across the DFW metroplex since 2019, with 121 five-star reviews and recognition including D Magazine Best Real Estate Agents and Dallas Observer Best Real Estate Team.

We work Dallas and the surrounding metroplex, with the deepest expertise in East Dallas, including Lakewood and the M Streets, plus Richardson and Plano. We also regularly serve buyers and sellers in Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Carrollton, Coppell, Garland, Rockwall and the surrounding communities.

Fill out the buyer or seller intake form on this site and tell us what you are trying to do. We review it, reach out to fill in the details, and then map out your next steps together. There is no pressure and no obligation, and you can also reach us at jamie@unlocking-dfw.com.