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Buyer Services

Buying a Home in East Texas

Whether you're a first-time buyer, relocating from DFW, or upgrading to your dream home, we'll guide you every step of the way.

20+ Years in East Texas Real Estate
5.0★ Average Google Rating
I-20 Tyler, Longview, Dallas, Waco & in between
1 Family Realtor and Custom Builder under one roof
The Process

Home Buying Step by Step

From pre-approval to closing day, here's how we help you find and secure your perfect home.

1. Get Pre-Approved

We'll connect you with trusted local lenders to determine your budget and lock in the best rates, including FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional options.

2. Find Your Home

Using MLS alerts, private showings, and deep community knowledge, we'll find properties that match your lifestyle, from The Cascades to Lake Palestine.

3. Make an Offer & Close

We negotiate on your behalf, coordinate inspections, manage timelines, and walk you through every document, from offer to keys in hand.

Your Buying Team

A Family-Led Team Who Knows East Texas

You won't be passed off to a junior agent. The same person you meet on day one is the person who hands you the keys.

Stephanie McLean Kirby, Broker Associate at Kirby & Co Realty Group

Stephanie McLean Kirby

Broker Associate, Team Lead

CRS · e-PRO · Certified Luxury Agent · Farm & Ranch Specialist · Relocation Specialist

Jennifer Fair, Realtor at Kirby & Co Realty Group

Jennifer Fair

Realtor

Greater Tyler specialist with a background in service businesses and a knack for first-time buyers.

Taylor Florendo, Realtor at Kirby & Co Realty Group

Taylor Florendo

Realtor

Stephanie's daughter and the team's next-generation realtor. Personal service with deep East Texas roots.

Read full team bios →

Top Buyer Destinations

Where Buyers Are Landing in 2026

Quick links to the communities our buyers ask about most. Each page has school district, price range, and live MLS listings.

Common Questions

What Buyers Ask First

How long does it take to buy a home in Texas?

Pre-approval takes a few days to a week. Property search varies by inventory, anywhere from a weekend to a few months. Once you're under contract, the typical close timeline is 30 to 45 days for financed purchases and 14 to 21 days for cash. Texas has a unique 7 to 10 day option period after contract for inspections and negotiation.

How much do buyers pay in closing costs?

Texas buyer closing costs typically run 2 to 4 percent of the purchase price. That covers loan origination, appraisal, title insurance, prepaid taxes and insurance, and recording fees. Some sellers contribute toward buyer closing costs as part of negotiation. We give you a concrete estimate at offer time, not a vague range.

Do you work with first-time buyers?

Yes, including first-time buyers using FHA, USDA, VA, and conventional loan programs. We walk every first-time buyer through the down payment, closing cost, and rate math before the search begins, so the numbers are clear from day one.

What if I'm relocating from out of state or out of metro?

Most of our buyers are. We start with a virtual consultation to understand budget, schools, commute, and lifestyle goals, then run a discovery weekend that tours 8 to 12 homes across 2 or 3 candidate towns. See the relocation playbook.

Should I buy now or wait?

The honest answer depends on your timeline and rate-vs-price math, not on a market prediction. We walk through that math with every buyer before search begins so the decision to buy is grounded in your numbers, not headlines.

★ Ready When You Are

Let's Find Your East Texas Home

Pre-approval first, then a discovery weekend tailored to your search. One family team for buying, selling, or building from the ground up.

Start Your Search →

Ready to Start Your Home Search?

Tell us what you're looking for: budget, neighborhood, schools, lifestyle. We'll send you personalized listings within 24 hours.

Let's Get Started →