Relocating to the Houston Area
Considering a move to the Houston area? You probably have lots of questions.
Free Relocation Guide
Learn what to expect
If you’re considering relocation to the Houston area you probably have lots of questions. When you download our free guide you’ll learn:
Why live in or near the Houston Metroplex?
We’ll cover all the main benefits of living in a smaller city vs. a major metropolitan area.
Where should you live?
Whether you want the city, the suburbs, acreage in the country, or somewhere in between, you’ll find out the areas to investigate.
Will I find a good job?
We’ll cover who some of the major employers are and link to their current job openings.
No state income tax, higher property taxes
Texas does not levy a state income tax, and property tax rates are correspondingly higher than in states that do. If you're comparing a Houston payment against one in a state with income tax, compare total cost rather than the mortgage line alone — the tax portion of a Texas payment is a larger share of the whole.
Property taxes here are levied by several overlapping entities: county, city, school district, and frequently a Municipal Utility District that funds water, sewer, and drainage for a specific development. Ask for the combined rate on any address you're seriously considering.
Sale prices are not public record
Texas is a non-disclosure state. What a home actually sold for is not recorded in public records, so verified sale prices exist in the MLS and essentially nowhere else. This is why online estimates tend to be less reliable here than their national accuracy claims suggest, and why relocating buyers who research remotely often arrive with a distorted sense of pricing.
Insurance and flood risk are part of the budget
Gulf Coast homeowners insurance reflects windstorm exposure, and flood insurance may be required by your lender depending on the property's floodplain designation. Floodplain maps are revised over time, so verify the current designation for a specific address rather than relying on the neighborhood's reputation.
Texas requires sellers to complete a Seller's Disclosure Notice that asks directly about previous flooding, floodplain and flood pool status, and prior flood insurance claims. Read it closely and follow up on anything left blank or marked unknown.
The option period is your inspection window
Texas contracts commonly include a negotiated option period: a window at the start of the contract during which you can terminate for any reason at all, in exchange for a separate option fee paid to the seller. Inspections are normally completed during this window. Both the length and the fee are negotiated between the parties rather than fixed by law, so they are terms worth paying attention to when you write an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas have a state income tax?
+
No. Texas does not levy a state income tax, and property tax rates are higher than in states that do. When comparing the cost of living against another metro, compare the total picture rather than the mortgage payment alone.
Why can't I find what homes actually sold for in Houston?
+
Texas is a non-disclosure state — sale prices are not required to be recorded in public records. Verified sale prices live in the MLS, which is why a licensed agent can pull them and a public records search cannot. It's also why automated online estimates are working from thinner data here than elsewhere.
Will I need flood insurance in the Houston area?
+
It depends on the specific property's floodplain designation, and lenders generally require it for homes in a designated flood zone. Because floodplain maps are revised over time, verify the current designation for the exact address rather than relying on the neighborhood's general reputation.
What is the option period in a Texas real estate contract?
+
A negotiated window at the start of the contract during which the buyer can terminate for any reason, in exchange for a separate option fee paid to the seller. Inspections are usually done during this period. The length of the window and the size of the fee are negotiated, not set by law.
How far in advance should I start looking if I'm relocating to Houston?
+
Start the conversation as early as you can, even before you have firm dates. Choosing between areas here involves school zoning, tax rates including any MUD, flood designation, and commute, and those are much easier to work through without a deadline pressing. I regularly work with relocating buyers remotely before they ever visit.
