Tools & Support
Financing that fits the way you buy.
Selling Dallas homes in 14 days or less, with a marketing plan you see before you sign. On the buying side, financing is where a home purchase is won or lost. These tools and guides cover pre-approval, loan terms, down payments, and the vetted lender bench Garland connects clients with.
Where rates sit, in context
Texas 30-year fixed rates spent late 2025 in the low 6s, with the national average around 6.2% in December of that year, tracking just under the national figure. Rates move, but the buying strategy does not: lock a pre-approval, know your budget, and buy the right home for the right numbers.
~6.2%
National average 30-year fixed rate in December 2025, with Texas typically just under the national figure.
28 / 36
Housing at 28% of gross income, total debt at 36%. The ratios lenders underwrite against.
Crunch the numbers first.
Use the mortgage calculator for a ballpark, then let a vetted lender put real numbers on your situation. The estimate is a compass; the pre-approval is the map.
Choose the right loan term
The right term depends on how long you plan to stay and what monthly payment you can carry. Garland walks you through the trade-off on a call.
30-year fixed
The most common choice. Steady payment and a long horizon, ideal for most buyers who plan to stay several years.
15-year fixed
Higher monthly payment, but you own the home outright far sooner and pay far less interest over the life of the loan.
Adjustable-rate
A lower starting rate that resets after an initial fixed period. It can make sense for short holds, and it carries more risk.
Budget for more than the mortgage
Property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA dues all sit on top of principal and interest. In Texas there is no state income tax, but property tax rates run relatively high, so Garland factors the full payment into what you can afford.
The path to a financed offer
01
Get pre-approved
A vetted lender pulls your credit, reviews your documents, and writes a letter for a specific amount.
Open02
Size the loan right
Match the term and down payment to your timeline. Use the calculator, then confirm with real numbers.
Open03
Choose your down payment
FHA loans can start around 3.5% down and conventional loans around 3% to 20%. Your profile decides what fits.
OpenGarland's vetted lender bench
Pre-approval starts with the right lender. Garland connects buyers with lenders on his vetted bench, professionals he has watched close deals across Dallas and Collin County, and he is clear about which lender fits your profile. A lender on the bench means fewer surprises at the closing table.
- Lenders proven in DFW deals, from first-time to jumbo loans.
- Clear rate and term guidance matched to your timeline.
- A pre-approval letter in hand before you tour, so offers are credible.
Know your number before you tour.
Book a free 30-minute call and Garland will match you with the right lender on his bench and get the pre-approval process moving.
Always go with the Best!
Get the plan, the data, and a name you can call.
Every resource on this site ends the same way: a free 30-minute call with Garland, real Dallas and Collin County numbers, and a written plan when there is a next step. No pressure, no vague promises. Always go with the Best!