Relocation & international
Relocating to The Woodlands or Houston
Pascale has moved her own life across borders many times: from Lebanon to France, Spain, Argentina, Venezuela, the United Kingdom, Colorado and finally Texas. She knows the long lists, the jet lag and the strange mix of excitement and doubt. Now she helps other families arrive well.
Moving from another state
Many families come to the north Houston area for work in energy, healthcare, engineering and corporate headquarters, and stay for the trees, the trails and the schools. Pascale helps you compare neighborhoods by the things that matter day to day: commute, school zoning, lot size, HOA rules, property taxes and how far you are from the things you love.
If you cannot visit often, she can preview homes for you, tour them with you on video and narrow the list so your trip here is spent on the few homes that deserve it.
Moving from another country
Buying from abroad raises questions most agents never hear: how to wire funds safely, which documents a lender will want, how U.S. taxes apply to foreign owners, how to close when you are still overseas. As a Certified International Property Specialist, Pascale is trained for exactly these transactions.
She works in English, French, Spanish and Arabic, and she can connect you with immigration and real estate attorneys, cross-border tax advisors and lenders who understand international files. She is not an attorney or tax advisor herself, but she knows who to call.
After the move
Your first weeks in Texas
Driver's license
New Texas residents with an out-of-state license generally have 90 days to switch to a Texas license.
Vehicle registration
Vehicles brought from another state usually need a Texas inspection and registration within 30 days.
Homestead exemption
Once the house is your primary residence, apply with the county appraisal district to reduce your property taxes.
Utilities
Electricity is a competitive market in much of the area, so you choose a provider. Water often comes through a MUD or the city.
Rules change. Check current requirements with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas DMV and your county appraisal district.
Beyond Texas
Property across borders
Some clients are going the other way: Texans looking at a home in Europe or Latin America, or families who want a foot in two countries. Pascale has owned homes in Europe and run a business abroad, and through her international network she can connect you with trusted agents in the markets you are considering.
Relocation questions
Questions newcomers ask
Can a foreign citizen buy a home in Texas?+
In most cases, yes. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or resident to own property here. A Texas law that took effect in 2025 restricts purchases by some individuals, companies and governments connected to certain designated countries, so international buyers should confirm their situation with a Texas real estate attorney before making an offer. Pascale can introduce you to one.
Can I get a mortgage without U.S. credit history?+
Some lenders offer foreign national loan programs. They usually ask for a larger down payment and documentation of income and assets from abroad. Many international buyers also choose to buy with cash. Pascale works with lenders who handle these files regularly.
What happens when a foreign owner sells U.S. property later?+
Under a federal law known as FIRPTA, the buyer generally has to withhold a portion of the sale price, often 15 percent, and send it to the IRS when the seller is a foreign person. Exemptions and reductions exist. Plan for it with a tax advisor before you buy, not when you sell.
Which schools serve The Woodlands area?+
Most of The Woodlands is zoned to Conroe ISD, Creekside Park is served by Tomball ISD, and areas to the west fall under Magnolia ISD. There are also private schools nearby, and international programs in Houston, including French and IB curriculums. Always confirm the zoning for a specific address.
How far is The Woodlands from Houston's airports?+
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is roughly a half-hour drive from The Woodlands in normal traffic, which makes international travel easy. Downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center are farther south, so commutes there take longer.
Planning a move?
Start with a call or video meeting, wherever you are in the world.
Talk to Pascale