What Should You Do 90 to 75 Days Before Your Move?
- Select your California listing agent and your Texas buyer's agent. Ideally, these two agents know each other or can communicate directly. Bill's network of over 1,000 California agents exists specifically for this coordination.
- Get pre-approved for your Texas mortgage. Cross-state mortgage pre-approval requires additional documentation. Start early. Lenders need California tax returns, bank statements, and employment verification.
- Define your Texas search criteria. Narrow your target area, school district, lot size, budget, and must-haves. The more specific you are, the faster you will find the right property.
- Research your California home sale strategy. Work with your listing agent on timing, pricing, and whether to sell before or after purchasing in Texas.
- Begin decluttering and preparing your California home for sale. Identify items to move, donate, sell, or discard. The volume is always larger than expected.
What Happens Between 75 and 60 Days Before Your Move?
- List your California home. Target a listing date that aligns with your Texas purchase timeline.
- Begin active Texas home search. If possible, make a visit to view properties in person. If remote purchasing, your agent should provide video walkthroughs, neighborhood tours, and detailed documentation.
- Offer on your Texas property. Texas uses the TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission) promulgated contract forms. Your Texas agent will guide the offer structure, earnest money (typically 1% of purchase price), and option period.
- Open escrow in Texas. Texas closings are handled by title companies, not attorneys (though attorneys can be involved). The title company will manage the closing process, title search, and document preparation.
What Happens Between 60 and 45 Days Before Closing?
- Texas inspection period. Texas contracts include an option period (typically seven to ten days) during which you can terminate for any reason. Use this time for a comprehensive home inspection, including well and septic if applicable.
- Texas appraisal. Your lender will order an appraisal. In Texas, appraisals are conducted by licensed appraisers through the lender's management company.
- Synchronize closing dates. This is the critical coordination point. Your California sale closing and Texas purchase closing need to align to avoid temporary housing or cash flow gaps. Bill's team specializes in this synchronized closing coordination.
- Secure your moving company. Cross-country moves require booking movers four to six weeks in advance. Get quotes from at least three carriers and verify insurance coverage.
What Should You Finalize 45 to 30 Days Before Closing?
- Complete your California home repairs and buyer-requested fixes from the inspection report.
- Finalize your Texas mortgage. Respond promptly to all lender requests. Cross-state transactions can surface additional documentation requirements. Delays here are the most common cause of extended closing timelines.
- Purchase homeowner's insurance for your Texas property. Texas requires a "windstorm" policy in some areas. Your insurance agent can advise on requirements specific to your property's location.
- Begin utility transfers and cancellations. In California, schedule disconnection dates. In Texas, schedule connection dates for your closing day.
- Notify your employer of the address change if working remotely. Some companies require advance notice for state relocations due to tax implications.
What Happens in the Final 30 Days Before Moving?
- Final walkthrough of your Texas property. Conduct this one to three days before closing. Verify all agreed-upon repairs are completed and the property is in the expected condition.
- Sign closing documents. In Texas, you can sign remotely using a mobile notary or power of attorney if you cannot be present at the title company. Discuss options with your agent and the title company early.
- Wire funds to the title company. Wire transfer instructions will come from the title company. Verify all wire instructions by phone. Wire fraud is a real risk; never rely solely on emailed instructions.
- Complete your California closing. Ideally, this happens within a few days of your Texas closing to maintain cash flow continuity.
- Confirm moving logistics. Confirm dates, addresses, and access requirements with your moving company.
What Happens on Moving Day and the First Week?
- Closing day in Texas. You will receive keys, garage door openers, and any relevant manuals or codes. The title company will record the deed and provide you with closing documents.
- File your Texas homestead exemption. Do this as soon as possible after closing. File with the county appraisal district where your property is located. The exemption provides an immediate $140,000 reduction in your school district taxable value.
- Transfer or obtain Texas driver's licenses. Texas requires new residents to obtain a Texas driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency. You can begin the process at any DPS office.
- Register your vehicles. Texas requires vehicle registration within 30 days of establishing residency. You will need a Texas state inspection and insurance that meets Texas minimum requirements.
- Update your address with the post office, banks, credit cards, subscriptions, and all financial institutions.
- Register to vote in your new county.
- Set up Texas vehicle registration and inspection at a state-certified station.
What Financing Considerations Apply to Cross-State Moves?
Cross-state mortgages involve additional complexity. Key considerations:
"The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation offers down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers, including grants up to 5% of the loan amount that do not require repayment."
— Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation
- Income verification: Lenders will verify California employment and income. Remote workers need documentation confirming continued employment from a California-based employer (or the new employer if changing jobs). Cross-state relocators save an average of $15,000 to $40,000 per year, which can improve debt-to-income ratios for mortgage qualification.
- Asset reserves: Lenders often require two to three months of asset reserves beyond the down payment and closing costs, particularly for cross-state transactions.
- Cash-to-close timing: If you are using proceeds from your California sale, coordinate the timing carefully. Lenders may require proof of the sale proceeds before funding your Texas loan.
- Texas-specific loan programs: The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) offers down payment assistance programs including grants up to 5% of the loan amount. As a Texas Affordable Housing Specialist, Bill can help identify programs you may qualify for.
More questions about your Hill Country move? Reach out to Bill Ross at Hill Country Homesteads Group — direct, practical guidance for every step of your transition.
Bill Ross, Hill Country Homesteads Group
Have questions about your specific move? Reach out for a no-pressure conversation about your situation.