Buying property à Dallas with a dedicated expert

Dallas encompasses a wide range of neighborhoods, each with a distinct character and purchase price profile.

• Highland Park and University Park (Park Cities): The most prestigious addresses in Dallas, with homes starting at approximately $2,000,000 USD and easily exceeding $15,000,000 USD for estate properties. Highland Park's median listed price per square foot reached $944 USD in June 2026 (source: Movoto, June 2026). These neighborhoods offer top-ranked public schools, manicured streets, and proximity to Highland Park Village shopping.
• Preston Hollow: An established luxury enclave north of downtown, home to large estate properties. Prices typically start above $1,000,000 USD and reach well into the multi-millions for gated estates (source: Homes.com Dallas city guide, 2024).
• Uptown and Oak Lawn: Urban, walkable neighborhoods popular with young professionals. A mix of luxury condominiums, townhomes, and renovated single-family homes. Strong demand supports steady price appreciation and makes these areas attractive for long-term purchase investment (source: DFW Investment Hotspots, 2025).
• Deep Ellum: East of downtown, known for its arts and music scene. Primarily loft residences, mid-rise condominiums, and limited townhome infill. Entry prices are lower than Uptown, making it accessible for first-time buyers and investors seeking value with upside potential.
• Bishop Arts District / Oak Cliff: A culturally vibrant neighborhood with eclectic architecture and a growing food and retail scene. Purchase prices remain more accessible than central Dallas, attracting buyers seeking character homes at relatively lower price points.
• Lake Highlands: A family-oriented neighborhood in northeast Dallas with a mix of mid-century and newer construction single-family homes. Generally more affordable than the Park Cities, appealing to families prioritizing space and school access.
• Plano, Richardson, and Frisco (northern suburbs): Strong employment bases anchored by major corporate campuses. Entry-level investment properties available in the $275,000–$350,000 USD range, with good school districts and suburban amenities (source: DFW Investment Hotspots, July 2025).
• Garland, Mesquite, and Arlington: More affordable suburban markets with purchase prices in the $280,000–$330,000 USD range, suited to buyers seeking lower acquisition costs (source: RelocateMeTX, 2026).

1. Define your budget and obtain mortgage pre-approval: Before searching, establish your purchase budget and secure a pre-approval letter from a licensed Texas lender. This confirms your borrowing capacity and strengthens any offer you make.
2. Engage a licensed buyer's agent: Under the 2024 NAR settlement rules, buyers must sign a Buyer Representation Agreement with their agent before touring homes. This agreement documents the agent's compensation, which is now negotiated separately from the seller's side (source: Silberman Realty, Texas commission changes, 2024).
3. Property search and viewings: Tour properties in your target Dallas neighborhoods. Your agent will provide access via the MLS and accompany you to viewings.
4. Submit a written offer: Offers are made using the TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract. The offer specifies the purchase price, earnest money amount, option fee, option period length, financing contingency, and proposed closing date.
5. Negotiate and execute the contract: The seller may accept, counter, or reject. Once both parties sign, the contract becomes binding. The buyer must deliver earnest money — typically 1% to 3% of the purchase price — to the title company within three business days of the effective date (source: Grey Square, Dallas seller timeline, 2024).
6. Option period (due diligence): Texas contracts include a negotiated option period, typically 7 to 14 days, during which the buyer pays a small option fee for the unrestricted right to terminate the contract for any reason. This window is used to complete inspections and negotiate repairs or credits (source: Texas Real Estate option period guide).
7. Home inspection and appraisal: A licensed inspector examines the property's condition. If financing, the lender orders an independent appraisal to confirm the property's value supports the loan amount.
8. Title search and title insurance: The title company conducts a title search to verify clear ownership and identify any liens, encumbrances, or easements. Both lender's and owner's title insurance policies are issued.
9. Final mortgage underwriting and loan approval: The lender reviews all documentation and issues a Clear to Close once all conditions are satisfied.
10. Final walkthrough: Typically conducted within 24 hours of closing to confirm the property's condition matches the contract terms.
11. Closing at the title company: All parties sign documents at the title company. The buyer delivers closing funds via cashier's check or wire transfer. The deed is recorded, and keys are handed over. The full process from accepted offer to closing typically takes 30 to 45 days (source: Grey Square, 2024).

Foreign nationals and non-resident buyers can purchase property in Dallas, though financing options differ from those available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

• Permanent residents (Green Card holders): Qualify for the same conventional, FHA, and Fannie Mae loan programs as U.S. citizens, including down payment assistance programs (source: Texas Regional Bank, foreign national mortgage guide).
• Temporary residents with work visas: Buyers legally working in the U.S. on a valid work visa generally qualify for the same loan products as permanent residents; the visa type and status must be disclosed to the lender (source: Texas Regional Bank).
• Foreign nationals without U.S. residency status: Buyers who live and work abroad and do not hold U.S. residency may access foreign national loan programs. These typically require:
  • A minimum loan amount of $300,000 USD (source: Texas Premier Mortgage).
  • A down payment of 20% to 30% of the purchase price for single-family homes; higher requirements may apply for condominiums or larger loan amounts (source: Defy Mortgage / Total Bank, 2024).
  • Proof of primary residence in the borrower's home country.
  • Documentation of income and assets, which may be held in foreign accounts but must be transferred to a U.S.-domiciled account prior to closing (source: Texas Premier Mortgage).
  • The property must typically be purchased as an investment, not as a primary residence or second home (source: Texas Premier Mortgage).
• ITIN loans: Buyers without a Social Security Number may apply using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 600 to 620 for ITIN loans (source: Griffin Funding, 2024–2025).
• Texas SB 17 restriction (effective September 1, 2025): A Texas law introduced restrictions on property purchases by nationals of certain designated countries (including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea). Buyers who lawfully reside in the U.S. from these countries may still purchase a primary residence (source: Griffin Funding, 2025).
• Cash purchases: Foreign buyers who purchase without financing face no residency restrictions beyond the SB 17 provisions and must provide proof of funds and comply with standard title company requirements.

Real estate agent fees and professional service costs in Dallas are structured as follows for a property purchase transaction.

• Buyer's agent commission (post-2024 NAR settlement): Following the mid-2024 NAR lawsuit settlement, buyer's agent commissions are now negotiated directly between the buyer and their agent, documented in a mandatory Buyer Representation Agreement. Buyers may pay their agent directly or negotiate for the seller to contribute to buyer-side costs as a concession (source: Silberman Realty, Texas commission changes, 2024). Typical buyer's agent fees in Dallas range from approximately 2.5% to 3% of the purchase price, though this is fully negotiable.
• Seller's agent commission: The listing agent's fee is paid by the seller and typically ranges from 2.5% to 3% of the sale price. Combined seller-side costs (commissions plus title and concessions) generally total 6% to 10% of the sale price (source: JVM Lending, 2025).
• Title company fees: The title company handles escrow, title search, and closing. Title fees typically start at approximately $1,700 USD and include the title search, settlement services, and both lender's and owner's title insurance policies (source: First Time Home Buyer Dallas guide, 2026).
• Appraisal fee: Required by lenders to confirm the property's market value; typically ranges from $400 USD to $700 USD depending on property type and size.
• Home inspection fee: A licensed inspector's report typically costs between $300 USD and $600 USD for a standard single-family home.
• Survey fee: A property survey is standard in Texas transactions and typically costs $400 USD to $700 USD.
• Buyer's agent services include: Property search and MLS access, scheduling and accompanying viewings, drafting and submitting TREC purchase contracts, negotiating on the buyer's behalf, coordinating the option period and inspections, liaising with the title company and lender, and attending closing.