Answers by Katie Hanner

You’re in a great position to lock in a Texas home before retirement. With your exceptional credit and steady job, you’ll qualify for the best loan programs, and today’s high inventory gives you real bargaining power. Buying now in Cedar Hill or Duncanville means you can spread any renovation work over the next two years while you’re still working—no rush, no stress. You benefit from building equity early and getting ahead of potential price gains once inventory tightens. A couple things to keep in mind: interest rates affect your monthly payment more than home price, so watch the market and consider locking a rate when you feel good about it. Factor in property taxes in your budget (that is sometimes a shock for people relocating to TX), and leave plenty of wiggle room for upgrades