Dami The Realtor

Dami The Realtor is a real estate agent. Buy, sell, or invest in Houston real estate with Dami The Realtor, a Top 1% agent. Expert guidance on homes, land, and investment properties.

Services

Frequently asked questions

Home Buying Consultation

What's the first step in the buying process?
Get a preapproval. It's VERY important to get a preapproval BEFORE you start looking at homes, because it tells you how much you qualify for. This saves you a tremendous amount of time so you don't go looking at homes above your purchase power. Sellers also respect and take you more seriously if you have a preapproval.
How do I get a preapproval?
I'll send you the loan application, you fill it out and upload the required docs like your Paystubs, Tax returns, W2s, and Bank statements. My Loan Officer will review your docs and issue your preapproval.
Can I work with my own Loan Officer?
Yes, you can. If you have a Loan Officer that's qualified and reliable, please contact them to get your preapproval, and I'll be glad to work with you and them on getting your home.
How long is the process?
Buying a completed home (AKA Inventory home) takes about 30 days on average, but building from scratch could be anywhere from 4-9+ months.
What's the entire process like?
Get a preapproval → Start house hunting → Make an offer/offer accepted (Enter Escrow) → Schedule a home inspection → Appraisal → Underwriting → Final Walk through → Closing Day!
What are the main requirements to qualify for a home loan in Houston, TX?
There's no one size fits all — every case is different, so not having all of the following doesn't mean you automatically won't qualify. The main requirements are: 580+ credit score, steady verifiable income, 3-5% down payment, 2-5% closing costs (in most cases a builder/seller can cover this), 2 years of work history within the last 5 years (the 2 years do NOT have to be on the same job), and lawful residency in the United States.
Can I buy a home from a different country?
Yes, you can buy as a foreign national. Please see our Foreign National Buyer Consultation service for more info.
Can you help if I want to buy an investment property (not residential)?
Yes, I can help with that too. Please see our Investment Property Consultation service for more info.
Can I buy if I don't have a job?
For the most part you will need some form of steady verifiable income. However, there are loan programs available even without steady income — based on your credit score and profile, you could buy with as low as 15% down.
Does child support or alimony count as qualifying income?
Yes, it does. Any awarded payment you've received for 6-12 months that will continue for up to 3 years post-closing is considered qualifying income.
What if I don't have the down payment required?
You can get the funds as a gift from a family member or close friend. If you have someone ready to gift you the funds, let me know so we can set it up the right way.
What interest rate would I get?
Your interest rate depends on your credit profile. You can also buy down the rate — meaning you pay upfront to get a lower rate. Some builders have programs where they can buy your rate down to as low as 3.99%.

Home Selling Consultation

What’s the first step to sell my home?
The first step is determining your home’s current market value. Your home’s value is not based on what you originally paid for it, how much money you have invested into it, how much you owe on your mortgage, or how much sentimental value it holds. It is primarily determined by current market conditions and what comparable homes are selling for. I will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) by reviewing recently sold homes, active listings, pending sales, your home’s condition, upgrades, location, and other relevant factors. Based on this information, I will recommend a strategic listing p
Should I price a little higher to leave room for negotiation?
Absolutely not. This can be one of the biggest mistakes a seller makes because overpricing may automatically eliminate your home from many buyers’ searches. For example, if comparable homes are selling around $500,000, there may be no strategic reason to list your home at $550,000 just to “see what the market does.” Many buyers searching within a specific price range may never even see your property, while others may skip past it because it appears overpriced compared to similar homes. Unless your home has significant features or upgrades - such as a pool, substantially more square footage, a
Should I make repairs up front?
Unless they are major or obvious items that could affect the sale, I usually recommend holding off on any repairs until you have an offer which then requests some repairs to be made after inspection. This is because everyone will have different priorities, so while you may spend a lot of money repainting the entire house up front or doing something else entirely, a potential buyer may actually request some other issues be addressed instead, which would then result in you spending more money than you had to from the start. Before making any major repairs or renovations, we will evaluate which i
How long will it take to sell my home?
There is no guaranteed timeline. Anyone who guarantees exactly how quickly your home will sell may simply be telling you what you want to hear to earn your business. The market must ultimately do its thing. I have had homes go under contract within four days, while others have taken several weeks or months. The timeline depends on several factors, including the listing price, location, condition, buyer demand, interest rates, available inventory, competition, marketing, and overall market conditions. My job is to position and market your home as effectively as possible while continuously evalu
What happens if we get multiple offers?
Receiving multiple offers is a great position to be in because it gives us the opportunity to compare each offer and select the strongest overall option. However, the highest offer is not always the best offer. We’ll evaluate all the important factors of the offers such as purchase price, financing type, down payment, earnest money and option fee, requested seller concessions, contingencies, etc.
Can I sell and buy a new one at the same time?
Yes, you can. Ive helped several clients do this. It’s just about coordinating both transactions meticulously and properly timing them such that as you’re closing on the sale, you’re also closing on the purchase, so you move out of the old home right into the new home. If the timelines do not align perfectly, we may be able to negotiate a temporary seller leaseback. This would allow you to remain in the home for an agreed-upon period after the sale closes while temporarily leasing the property from the new owner. The terms and cost of the leaseback would be negotiated in advance and included i
How will my home be marketed?
I’ll get some professional pictures and videos done and list them on the MLS, and I’ll also send the listing to my network of realtors as well as my potential buyers. I also heavily utilize my social media platforms of almost 1 million followers across various platforms. I do creative marketing videos which will draw a lot of eyes to the property.
Do I pay you a realtor’s commission?
Yes, you do. I generally recommend that sellers budget approximately 6% of the sales price for total brokerage compensation—typically 3% for the listing brokerage and up to 3% toward the buyer’s brokerage compensation. Although sellers are not legally required to offer compensation toward a buyer’s agent, offering competitive buyer-agent compensation may make the property financially accessible to a larger pool of buyers. Most buyers have signed representation agreements that require them to compensate their agent if the seller does not offer sufficient buyer-agent compensation. Because many b
How do showings work?
Once your home is listed on the MLS, I’ll place a lockbox on your front door which will contain the key to the home and can only be accessed by licensed real estate professionals. Your phone number will be connected to the showing-request system. When a real estate professional requests an appointment to show the property, you will receive a text, and can approve the appointment, decline it, or propose another time that works better for you. Although we will try to accommodate your schedule, flexibility with showing appointments can increase the number of qualified buyers who have an opportuni
What should I do to prepare the home for showings?
Remove all family/individual pictures/portraits and keep all valuables out of plain sight. Secure sensitive documents, personal information, medications, etc. and always ensure to keep the house very clean and tidy, as some showing requests may come with very little notice, that you may not have enough time to clean up. Also declutter spaces as much as possible and remove strong odors. Improve lighting and maintain the yard and curb appeal.
Do I have to leave the house during showings?
I highly recommend that you step out of the house about 10-15 mins before the scheduled appointment. Potential buyers are generally more comfortable taking their time, discussing the home openly, and thoroughly evaluating the property when the seller is not present. When homeowners remain in the house, buyers may feel rushed, uncomfortable asking questions, or hesitant to express their opinions. Giving buyers privacy allows them to experience the home more naturally and visualize themselves living there
What happens after the buyer’s inspection?
After the inspection, you can generally expect the buyer to submit requests for certain repairs, credits, concessions, or other considerations based on the inspection findings. However, you are not automatically required to agree to every request. You may choose to complete the requested repairs, offer some financial concession or credit, negotiate an alternative solution, decline some requests, decline all requests. This is another important negotiating phase of the transaction. We will carefully review the requests, evaluate their significance, and determine an appropriate response based on

Investment Property Consultation

What's the down payment required for an investment property?
The average down payment required is anywhere from 15–25%, depending on the property type, loan type, and credit worthiness.
What types of investment properties are available?
You can choose to buy a single-family home, a multi-unit property (duplex, triplex, quadplex, 1–10 units), condo, townhome, commercial property, and more.
Can I buy multiple units without them being together like a duplex?
Yes — you can buy anywhere from 3 to 20 different properties within Houston at the same time, under 1 transaction. That means 1 loan, 1 payment for all the units.
What financing programs are available?
Conventional Loan, Bank Statement Loan, DSCR Loan, and a whole lot of other loan products that fit your investment needs and profile.
Can I buy an investment property in Houston if I live in a different state?
Yes, you can. You can also buy even if you don't live in the US or even have a visa.
Am I guaranteed to cash flow when I buy an investment property?
Nothing is guaranteed in any type of investment — however, I'll provide you with as much information as possible so you can make a well-informed decision. I'll help you find a property in an area with a high chance of cash flowing.
What credit score is required?
Lenders usually want a 620, however a 600 may also work in some cases.
Do you help manage properties?
I don't personally manage properties, but I have great property manager partners I can connect you with so you can run your business fully hands-free — whether you use it for short-term rentals (Airbnb) or long-term rentals.
If I buy for long-term rentals, can you help me find a tenant?
Yes — I can help you list and market the property on the MLS and thoroughly vet applicants via background and credit check to help you get a well-qualified tenant.
Are there any potential risks?
As with any business, there are always some risks — vacancies, unexpected repairs, market downturns, etc. Proper planning can help mitigate them, however the benefits far outweigh the risks if done properly.
Can I buy a property through an LLC?
Yes, it's possible. My loan officer partners will explain this process in more detail.
How do I get started?
Call or text me to start the process: 832-955-8008.

Relocating to Houston

What's the first thing to know if I want to relocate to and buy a home in Houston?
You need to either have a job here in Houston, get your current job transferred here, or have a remote job working 100% remotely.
After the job, what's next?
Get pre-approved. This is where you apply for a loan — either with my lender or any lender of your choice — to see how much you qualify for, also known as your purchase power.
What's the down payment required once I have a job or work remotely?
Based on what you qualify for, your down payment could be between 3–5% of the sales price.
What if I don't have a job there or work remotely but still want to buy?
You either pay 20% down payment or wait until you get a job here.
How long do I need to be on the job before I can qualify for a loan?
It doesn't matter how long you've been on that job — we can get you started with even just your offer letter.
Do I need to be 2 years on the SAME job to qualify?
No. My lender partners are very experienced. You don't need 2 years on the SAME job — as long as you have a total of 2 years of work history within the last 5 years, it doesn't matter how many different jobs you worked. International work history is also valid.
What if I just graduated?
That's perfectly fine — time spent in school also counts towards the 2-year history.
How much are closing costs?
Closing costs average about 3% of the sales price.
What's the job market like in Houston?
There are lots of booming industries here — energy, medical, engineering, tech, and more. You'll want to do your own research on your specific field.
Are property taxes in Houston high?
There are areas with higher taxes and areas with lower taxes. If property taxes are a concern, we can focus your search on lower-tax areas.
What's the tradeoff of higher property taxes?
Texas has no state income tax, so many people still find their overall financial picture more beneficial here. You also get significantly more house for your money, and the overall cost of living — daycare, gas, food — is relatively lower.
Is there any way to reduce property taxes?
Yes — homestead exemption. Once you close on your home, you're eligible for up to a 20% discount on property taxes once you apply. Note this only applies to residential properties, not investment properties.

Foreign National Buyer Consultation

Can I buy a home in Houston from a different country?
Yes, you can. You'd be considered a foreign national, so you're required to pay about 35% for down payment and closing costs combined. The down payment is not negotiable.
I live in Canada — would I still be considered a foreign national?
Yes. Any country outside the US, no matter how close, is considered foreign.
When do I need to have the full amount ready?
You need to have — and be able to show/prove — the entire down payment before starting the process.
What do I need to qualify as a foreign national?
International passport, foreign address, and bank statements showing the funds required for the transaction.
What's the breakdown of the 35%?
The 35% is a percentage of the purchase price. On a $350k property, that's $122,500. On a $300k property, it's $105,000. This 35% covers your down payment + closing costs + inspection + appraisal.
How does Dami get paid — do I pay you directly?
9 out of 10 times, the seller pays my fee. If the seller isn't willing, you'd only pay me if you're 100% sold on that property — or we find another one where the seller covers it. My fee is 3% of the sales price, added to the 35% if applicable.
Can I just pay full cash?
Yes. Just provide proof of funds (bank statements, etc.) and we can start immediately — no loan required.
Can I get US residency or citizenship when I buy a property?
No. Buying property does not grant citizenship or residency status. There may be some extenuating circumstances, but you'd need to speak with an immigration attorney about that.
Do I need to be in the US to close?
No. You can close from whatever country you're in, as long as they have a US Embassy. You'll just need to schedule an appointment about 2 weeks prior to closing.
How will I see homes if I'm not in the US?
I'll send you options based on your requirements. You select the ones you want to see, and I'll do full video tours of each one — sharing my honest feedback on every property.
Will you help find a tenant after I buy?
Yes. I can list the property, market it, and thoroughly vet applicants with a credit and background check to make sure they're qualified.
What's the first step when I'm ready to proceed?
Get a pre-approval to establish your purchase power. Let me know when you're ready and I'll send you the loan application link. Once we have your pre-approval, we can start touring homes right away.

Booking and enquiries: damitherealtor.com