How much house can I afford in DFW?

A common starting point is the 28/36 rule — spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and 36% on total debt. On a $75,000 household income, that's roughly $1,750/month for housing, which translates to a home in the $280,000–$330,000 range depending on your down payment, taxes, and insurance. But two buyers with the same income can afford very different homes because of existing debt, down payment size, and loan type — so the real first step is getting pre-approved with a lender.

Can you buy a house in DFW with $10,000?

Yes — in many cases you can. With an FHA loan (3.5% down), $10,000 covers the down payment on a home around $285,000, which is realistic in cities like Fort Worth, Dallas, Arlington, or Mesquite. VA and USDA loans require $0 down for eligible buyers, and closing costs can often be offset with grants, down payment assistance, or builder incentives.

Is it better to rent or buy in the current DFW market?

Renting is generally cheaper month-to-month than buying in DFW right now, but that doesn't necessarily mean renting is the better financial decision. The real question is how long you plan to stay, what buying would actually cost you, and what you'd do with the money you save by renting. The best comparison isn't metro-wide averages — it's the home you'd actually rent versus the home you'd actually buy.

Are there brand-new homes under $300K in DFW?

Yes — buyers with a sub-$300,000 budget still have real options, but the map has changed. Recent searches found approximately 215 new homes under $300K in Princeton, 203 in Fort Worth, 102 in Cleburne, and 83 in Royse City. The trade-off is usually some combination of commute, home size, lot size, taxes, and location — so always compare the real monthly payment, not just the advertised starting price.

Should I buy new construction or resale in DFW?

It depends on what you're optimizing for. New construction wins on financing incentives, warranties, and modern layouts right now, while resale wins on negotiating room, established neighborhoods, and often a lower price per square foot. In today's DFW market, both sides have real leverage — the right choice comes down to your timeline, budget flexibility, and how much you value predictability versus character.

How much is my home worth — Zillow or a CMA?

A Zestimate is a free, instant algorithm guess based on public tax records — it can't see your renovations, condition, or unique features, and it's often off by tens of thousands of dollars. A CMA is a human-built valuation using live MLS data, comparable sold homes, and current market activity, making it the number you should actually trust and act on if you're selling, refinancing, or checking your real equity.

What should I know before moving to Fort Worth, TX?

Fort Worth combines relatively affordable housing, no Texas state income tax, a strong local culture, and housing options ranging from urban neighborhoods to new construction and homes with more land. Before moving, pay particular attention to property taxes, commute times, school attendance boundaries, homeowners insurance, summer heat, and property-specific issues such as foundation and flood risk. The important number isn't simply the purchase price — it's your total monthly housing cost.

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Meet Brent Reiter

Born in Fort Worth. Lives in North Richland Hills. Serves DFW.

I’m Brent Reiter, a REALTOR® with BK Real Estate. I was born and raised in Fort Worth and live in North Richland Hills, so the Mid-Cities and greater Fort Worth are home turf. My work takes me across all of DFW.

Before real estate, I built my career in sales and operations and finished in a director role. That taught me to communicate clearly, manage complex processes, and follow through.

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