DFW Relocation Checklist

Map work and travel needs

Start with the trips that shape an ordinary week.

• Record work locations, expected office schedule, commute tolerance, toll-road preferences, airports, family, medical care, transit when relevant, recurring school or activity routes, and weekend travel.
• Test routes on the actual days and times you expect to travel rather than relying on mileage or an unsupported commute guarantee.
• Compare toll-road alternatives and recurring toll costs with the official NTTA Toll Calculator.

• Open the Official NTTA Toll Calculator

Define housing and cost priorities

Compare the complete ownership picture.

• Set home type, size, lot, age, condition, new-construction interest, budget, property-tax range, association considerations, and maintenance tolerance.
• Estimate property taxes using projected taxable or appraised value, applicable taxing entities, and the buyer’s eligibility for exemptions—not only the seller’s current tax bill.
• Account for HOA dues, PID assessments, MUD taxes or fees where applicable, and other special assessments.
• Identify daily priorities such as shopping, recreation, medical access, family logistics, and the amount of driving they may require.
• Verify school boundaries directly with the appropriate source when relevant; do not use rankings or demographic assumptions as a substitute for the client’s own criteria.

Plan visits and remote review

Use each visit to answer specific questions.

• Organize area orientation, representative home tours, route checks, and time for second looks.
• Use remote consultations, OneHome, listing review, live video tours, street context, and map review between visits.
• Consider temporary housing if employment, sale, lease, construction, or closing dates do not align.

Coordinate purchase and protection

Remote transactions still require complete due diligence.

• Prepare financing, earnest money and option delivery, inspections, specialist review, appraisal, title, survey, insurance, and closing logistics.
• Verify foundation condition, grading, drainage, flood exposure, pool condition, utilities, and property-specific maintenance rather than making assumptions about an entire city or neighborhood.
• Ask about roof age and condition, claim history, open claims, unresolved claim work, replacement-cost versus actual-cash-value roof coverage, wind and hail deductibles, and insurance availability before the option period expires.

Use official verification sources

Property-specific records are more useful than general assumptions.

• Confirm tax estimates and exemptions with the Texas Comptroller and the applicable local appraisal districts.
• Use Texas Department of Insurance consumer guidance and property-specific insurance quotes for coverage questions.
• Use official school-district boundary tools when school boundaries are part of the search criteria.

• Texas Comptroller Property Tax Information
• Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help

Prepare the move and first week

Schedule logistics before closing becomes urgent.

• Coordinate the originating sale or lease, moving company, vehicles, pets, utilities, secure document handling, address changes, access, and first-week essentials.
• Keep identity documents, medications, chargers, basic tools, closing records, insurance, and immediate property contacts accessible.