Texas Down Payment Assistance What Rockwall and DFW Buyers Need to Know
TSAHC and TDHCA can cover up to 5% of your loan amount toward a down payment and closing costs — here's how the two state…
Author: Cindy Dunnican
Cindy Dunnican is a North Texas REALTOR® and Founder of The Dunnican Team at Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors®. Since 1998, she has helped buyers and sellers throughout Rowlett, Rockwall, and Northeast Dallas, with more than 1,850 homes sold and $350M+ in career sales volume. Cindy is known for clear guidance, strategic marketing, and helping clients make wise real estate decisions with confidence.
Selling Your Home As-Is in Texas: What It Really Means
What Does It Mean to Sell a Home As-Is in Texas?In Texas, selling a home "as-is" means the seller will not make repairs, provide repair…
What is a True Lakefront Home Worth on Lake Ray Hubbard? Data, Insights, and What Drives the Lakefront Premiums in Rowlett, Rockwall and Heath
A year of closed lakefront sales on Lake Ray Hubbard shows true waterfront homes selling for 65%–90% more than comparable non-lakefront homes. Here's what the…
Capital Gains Tax When Selling Your Home in Texas: What You Need to Know
Do You Owe Capital Gains Tax When You Sell Your Home in Texas?Most Texas homeowners who sell their primary residence owe no capital gains tax…
Property Taxes in Rockwall County: What Every Buyer Needs to Know
What are property taxes in Rockwall County, Texas?Property taxes in Rockwall County are levied by multiple taxing entities — the county, your city, and your…
What Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted in Texas: The Buyer’s Closing Timeline
What happens after an offer is accepted in Texas?Days 1–3: Earnest money and option fee delivered to the title company; option period activatesDays 1–10: Option period —…
Buying New Construction Near Rockwall? Read This First
New construction homes in Northeast Dallas — including Wylie, Forney, and Rockwall — are priced at or below resale in 2026, with builders offering rate…
The Paint Colors That Are Adding (and Costing) Thousands at Closing in 2026
New research shows paint color can swing a buyer's offer by thousands of dollars. Here's what's working — and what to avoid — room by…
Texas Buyer Representation Agreement: What to Know in 2026
As of 2026, Texas law requires a signed agreement before your first home showing. Here's what that means, your options, and what to ask before…
Condo Resale Certificates in Texas: How They Differ From an HOA Resale Certificate
How is a Texas condo resale certificate different from a standard HOA resale certificate?Texas condo resale certificates are governed by Property Code Chapter 82, the…
Accessory Dwelling Units in Rockwall County: What’s Allowed by City
A backyard casita could mean rental income, or a code violation, depending entirely on which Rockwall County city the lot sits in. Here's what's actually…
HOA Violations and Liens in Texas: What They Mean for Your Home Sale
The resale certificate just came back with an unpaid assessment on it. Now what? Here's what a violation or lien on an HOA resale certificate…
Title Insurance in Texas: What Buyers Pay, What It Covers, and What to Watch For
Texas title insurance splits differently than buyers expect — the seller usually covers the owner's policy, the buyer covers the lender's. Here's what each protects…
McLendon-Chisholm: Space, Newer Homes, And Quiet Living
McLendon-Chisholm offers lower density, larger lots, and a growing mix of newer construction than most nearby Rockwall County suburbs. Here's what makes it different —…
VA and FHA Loan Property Requirements in Texas: What Sellers Need to Fix Before Closing
FHA and VA loans both require the home to meet Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) covering safety, structural soundness, and habitability — things like exposed wiring,…
Moving to Rockwall County, Texas: What Out-of-State Buyers Need to Know
Relocating to Rockwall County from out of state? Here's what to know about Texas property taxes, the option period, title company closings, and MUD districts…
Negotiating Repairs After a Home Inspection in Texas: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
How do you negotiate repairs after a home inspection in Texas?In Texas, all residential contracts are sold "as-is," but buyers can request repairs — or…
Should I Sell My Home Now or Wait? A Rockwall and Rowlett Market Guide
Rockwall and Rowlett homeowners face a real decision, not a market-timing guessing game. Here's what the 2026 numbers actually show — and the questions that…
Rockwall TX vs Heath TX: Which Community Is Right for You?
If you've narrowed your search to Rockwall County and you keep going back and forth between Rockwall and Heath, you're not alone. These two communities…
North Texas Housing Market Update; Q2 2026
Q2 2026 data shows a DFW market that's softening on the surface but tightening underneath — with Flower Mound, Carrollton, and Mesquite outperforming, and pipeline…
Earnest Money in Texas: How Much, Who Holds It, and What Happens If the Deal Falls Through
In Texas, earnest money is deposited with the title company within 3 days of the contract's effective date — not with the listing agent or…
What Happens If the Buyer’s Financing Falls Through After the Option Period
What happens if a buyer's financing falls through after the option period ends in Texas?Once the option period ends, what happens next depends on whether…
How Location Inside Waterview Shapes Your Daily Life: A Home Buyer’s Guide
Not all lots in Waterview are created equal. Here's how lot width, builder, backyard exposure, and position inside the community shape both daily life and…
Selling to a Cash Buyer in Texas: What You Gain and What You Give Up
Is selling your home to a cash buyer in Rockwall County or Northeast Dallas a good idea?Selling for cash usually means a faster closing, often…
The Texas Residential Construction Liability Act: Your Rights on New Construction Defects
Found a defect in your new build? Texas law says you can't just sue your builder — you have to give them a chance to…
Home Warranty on a Resale Home in Texas: Is It Worth It?
A resale home warranty costs less than one month of a mortgage payment and covers the year most buyers can least afford a surprise repair.…
Builder’s Title Company vs. Your Own in Texas New Construction: Does It Matter?
The builder's sales office already has a title company picked out for you. That doesn't mean it's the only, or the best, option. Here's what…
Reverse Mortgage Payoff When Selling a Home in Texas: What Heirs Need to Know
Inheriting a home with a reverse mortgage starts a clock, not a crisis. Here's what heirs in Rockwall County actually have to do, and how…
Backup Offers in Texas: How the TREC Addendum Actually Works
Your house is under contract, but a stronger offer just came in. In Texas, you don't have to just say no — you can say…
Texas Property Survey: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
A property survey tells you what you actually own — and who pays for one in Texas isn't automatic. Here's how the T-47 affidavit works…