Is it true Texas has no state income tax?

Texas does not levy a state income tax, but that's only one line in a larger financial picture that also includes property taxes, insurance and any special district assessments, all of which vary by property. Talk with a tax professional about your specific situation rather than relying on a single headline fact to make your decision.

Are property taxes higher in Texas than in California?

Property tax rates and how they're calculated differ meaningfully between the two states, and the amount for any given property depends on its assessed value, its taxing jurisdictions and any exemptions applied. Ask for the current tax bill on a specific property and confirm the rate with the county appraisal district — don't estimate from a percentage you saw somewhere else.

What is the homestead exemption and do I need to do anything?

A homestead exemption can reduce the taxable value of a primary residence, but eligibility rules and the filing process are set by the county appraisal district where the home sits. If you buy a primary residence here, ask Lori or the appraisal district directly about deadlines and required documentation — it isn't automatic.

What's different about a Texas real estate contract?

Texas typically uses a standardized one-to-four family residential contract with a negotiated option period — a defined window where the buyer can terminate for any reason, usually in exchange for a small fee. That structure differs from contract customs in other states, so ask your agent to walk through the timeline in the specific contract you're signing.

Should I sell my California home before or after buying in Texas?

There's no universal right answer — it depends on your financing, your risk tolerance and the local timing you're working with on both ends. Some buyers use bridge financing or a contingency, others sell first and rent temporarily. Talk to your lender early about what your specific financial picture supports before you decide.

What should I check on a property with a well, septic system or acreage?

Rural and semi-rural Central Texas properties often rely on a well and septic system rather than public utilities, and some sit within a municipal utility district (MUD) or public improvement district (PID) with its own fees. Ask for documentation on all of these and consider a septic inspection and water test as standard due diligence, not an extra.

Moving truck loaded for a long-distance move to Central Texas

Relocation · From California

Moving from California to Austin: The Practical Logistics

This page skips the lifestyle debate and sticks to the parts of the move that actually change how you buy, budget and close: taxes, contracts, disclosures and the moving timeline itself.

Talk to Lori about your move Call or text (512) 545-9568

The real differences between a California move and a Texas purchase are procedural, not cultural — they show up in how taxes are billed, how contracts are structured, and how a property's systems get disclosed and inspected. This page sticks to those mechanics.

None of the figures involved — tax rates, insurance premiums, HOA dues, special district fees — are fixed statewide, and they change property to property and year to year. Anywhere a number matters, the right move is to get it in writing for the specific address and confirm it with the appropriate professional, not to estimate from a general rule of thumb.

The other piece worth planning early is sequencing: what happens with your current home, how you finance a purchase here, and how the physical move itself lines up with your closing date. Getting that order wrong is one of the more common sources of stress in an out-of-state purchase.

Coming from California?

Tell Lori your timeline and Lori will walk you through the transaction differences that matter for your situation.

Taxes

Income tax, property tax and exemptions

Texas does not collect a state income tax, which is often the first fact people hear about the move. It's accurate, but it's not the whole financial comparison — property taxes, homeowners insurance and, in some areas, special district fees fill part of that gap, and all three vary by property rather than following a single statewide number.

If you'll use the home as a primary residence, ask about the homestead exemption process with the county appraisal district where the property sits. Eligibility, deadlines and required paperwork are specific and worth confirming directly rather than assuming they mirror anything from California's system.

Request the current, most recent tax bill for any specific property you're considering — not a citywide average.
Confirm insurance quotes on the actual property before you're under contract; roof age, foundation type and location all affect the number.
Ask whether the property sits within a municipal utility district (MUD) or public improvement district (PID), and what fees that involves.
Talk to a tax professional about how your total tax picture changes with the move, including any California obligations that may continue to apply.

The contract

How a Texas purchase contract works

Texas transactions generally run on a standardized form with a negotiated option period, which functions differently than contract customs buyers may be used to elsewhere.

The standard contract

Most resale purchases use the Texas one-to-four family residential contract, a form maintained for consistency across transactions statewide.

The option period

A negotiated window, usually paid for with a small fee, during which the buyer may terminate for any reason and receive their earnest money back.

Seller's disclosure

Sellers generally complete a written disclosure of known property conditions; read it closely and ask questions about anything unclear.

Title company escrow

Closings run through a title company acting as a neutral escrow agent, handling funds, documents and the closing itself.

Earnest money

A good-faith deposit held in escrow, applied toward closing costs at closing or refunded per the contract's terms.

Inspections

Inspections typically happen during the option period; use that window to bring in any specialists a general inspection points toward.

The property itself

Things Central Texas buyers commonly encounter

Slab foundations are common, and expansive clay soils in parts of the region can affect foundation movement over time — ask about maintenance history and consider a foundation inspection if there's any sign of concern.
Hail is a regular weather event here; ask about roof age, material and any prior claims, and get insurance quotes before you're under contract.
Some properties, especially on acreage, rely on a well and/or septic system rather than public utilities. Order a water test and septic inspection rather than assuming either system is in good working order.
Municipal utility districts (MUDs) and public improvement districts (PIDs) fund infrastructure in many newer areas and carry their own fees — ask whether a property is inside one and what that means for your total cost.
HOA documentation, including current dues, restrictions and any pending assessments, should be requested and reviewed in full rather than summarized secondhand.
Lot sizes, tree cover and yard maintenance expectations can differ from what you're used to; walk the lot, not just the house.

Logistics

Sequencing the sale, the purchase and the move

1
Talk to a lender before anything else
Understand what financing options fit your situation, including any bridge or contingency approach if you haven't sold your current home yet.
2
Decide on sell-first or buy-first
Each path has different risk and timing tradeoffs. Work through the numbers with your lender and agent rather than defaulting to either option.
3
Line up your Texas purchase timeline
Coordinate touring, the option period and closing dates around your actual moving window, not an idealized one.
4
Book movers and transport early
Long-distance moves, especially cross-country ones, book up ahead of peak season; get quotes and dates locked in well before closing.
5
Plan the administrative steps
Vehicle registration, driver's license transfer and voter registration all have their own timelines and requirements — verify current rules directly with the relevant Texas state agency.
6
Set a realistic move-in buffer
Build in a few days between closing and your move-in date if possible, for utility transfers, final walkthroughs and unexpected delays.

See what people say on Google

Reviews for Lori Cabello live on her Google Business Profile, unedited and in her clients' own words. Read them there, then call or text (512) 545-9568 if you'd like to talk through your own situation.

Read Lori's Google Reviews

Good questions

Moving from California: common questions

Keep exploring

Keep planning your move

Relocation

Moving to North Austin

The broader picture of relocating to the North Austin corridor.

Start here

Relocation

Remote home-buying guide

How to shop, inspect and close on a home before you've moved.

Buying from afar

Buyer resource

Texas home-buying process

A full walkthrough of contracts, option periods and closing steps.

See the process

Communities

Explore North Austin communities

Compare communities across the metro before narrowing your search.

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Buyers

Buying a home in Central Texas

General buyer guidance for the local market.

Buyer guides

Contact

Talk to Lori

Share your timeline and Lori will map out next steps.

Get in touch

This page is general information for out-of-state buyers and is not legal, tax, lending, insurance, engineering or appraisal advice. Tax rates, exemptions, insurance costs, HOA dues, special district fees and state administrative requirements change and must be verified for your specific property and situation with the appropriate professional or government agency.

Planning a move from California?

Call or text Lori at (512) 545-9568 with your timeline, and she'll walk you through the transaction differences that actually affect your budget.

Contact Lori (512) 545-9568