Yes, the house is important, but I have found that most of my buyers are looking to buy a house that gives them convenient access to their favorite parts about living in Galveston – boating, fishing, sailing, dining, entertainment, history, science, exercise, birding, solitude, family memories, sunrises and sunsets, the list is literally endless.

Most visitors are drawn to the beauty found where the land meets the sea. If you are reading this, you likely have visited Galveston and are now curious about what it would be like to live here or own a second home on the island. It is important to keep in mind that this island has seen its fair share of challenging impacts caused by our coastal location. Galveston Bay separates us from the mainland and this 30-33 mile long barrier island is the last structure before the the vast Gulf of Mexico takes over.

It is important to understand how coastal processes should influence your decision to purchase you most valuable coastal resource, your home. I will help you navigate all aspects: elevation certificates, wind and flood insurance, wetlands and the Army Corps of Engineers, beach walkovers and the General Land Office, how to identify potential risks inside and outside the home, and more.

My goal is not to scare you out of purchasing, living on Galveston is great! If you’re going to stay awhile, you need some grit too.

If you contact the Listing agent on a home you are interested in, you have just lost your main advisor because the listing agent, first and foremost, represents the interests of their seller. I do not recommend this route unless the listing agent appoints another agent to represent you.

I suggest first shopping for an agent that suits your style, making a connection with them so they get to know what you are looking for. If you choose me, I will gladly set you up with as many different auto-search email notifications based on as many parameters you can imagine. Another trend I have seen is that oftentimes if you are not extensively familiar with Galveston, your ideas of what kind of house you are looking for and where you imagine buying will most likely vary quite a bit. It is a wide net, then you narrow in on your prospects.

Some agents will not show you homes until you have the pre-approval letter from your banker or mortgage broker. I will. However, if you want your offer to have teeth, the pre-approval letter should be included, and might be required. I suggest contacting three lenders, you will have all of your tax and bank information at the ready, and the Truth in Lending Act provides for a short window (7-10 days) to shop for your loan without getting individual dings on your credit score.

If you have never purchased a home, a second home, or have experienced financial changes, I suggest getting with a lender first, before you start looking at houses – they will be able to give you an ‘off the hip’ observation of your financial status, and recommend ways to improve your chances of being pre-approved – a process that could take months.