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Real Estate · Home Building · Investment

Your next chapter
begins at home.

Buying, selling, building or investing, Ray Christian brings more than 25 years of real estate and lending experience to every move.

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Save The Day Ray, RayCleo. Real Estate, Real Solutions, A Brighter Tomorrow

Welcome

Real estate. Real solutions.
A brighter tomorrow.

I'm Ray Christian. For more than 25 years I've helped people buy, sell, build and invest, starting on the lending side of the desk. Whatever your next move is, I'm here to make it a smooth one.

Since
1999
Years of experience
25+
Lending · Building · Selling
3 in 1
Ray ChristianRealtor · Investor · Home Builder

How I can help

Every move, handled with care

One trusted advisor for buying, selling, building and investing.

Buy

Find the right home

From first homes to move-up and luxury homes, I guide you from search to keys, with lending know-how most agents don't have.

Search homes

Sell

Sell for top value

Pricing based on recent nearby sales, professional photos and video, and a plan built around your timeline.

What's my home worth?

Build

Build new

As a home builder, I help you plan, price and build a home made for the way you live.

Talk about building

Invest

Invest with confidence

Find and evaluate investment properties with someone who invests himself and knows the financing side.

Start investing

Moving to Texas? I'll help you compare neighborhoods, commutes and schools, with video tours before you move.

Find a Home

Search every home for sale

See the same live MLS listings I see, updated throughout the day.

  • Every home for sale on the MLS
  • Map and list search
  • New-listing alerts
  • Questions go straight to Ray

Live home search is coming to this page soon. Until then, tell Ray what you're looking for and he'll send you homes that fit.

Send me homes

How it works

From first conversation to keys in hand

A clear, calm process, with me beside you at every step.

  1. Consultation

    Your goals, your timeline and your budget.

  2. Get a clear plan

    You leave knowing your options and your next steps, in plain English.

  3. Meet the right lender

    When you're ready, I connect you with a mortgage professional I trust for pre-approval.

  4. Find your home

    We tour homes that fit a payment you're comfortable with.

  5. Win the deal

    I negotiate for you, then you get inspections during the Texas option period.

  6. Keys day

    Sign at the title company. I'll be right there when the keys hit your hand.

I'm with you through every step. Your lender decides loan approval, rates and program eligibility, and I'll help you understand what they tell you.

Ray Christian

Meet Ray · RayCleo

I spent years on the bank's side of the desk. Now I'm on yours.

I'm Ray Christian. I started in real estate in 1999 as a mortgage loan officer and mortgage banker. Day after day I looked at credit reports, debt-to-income ratios and down payment numbers. So I know exactly why a bank says no, and what it usually takes to get to yes.

I worked through the 2007–2008 financial crisis and saw what happens when people get bad advice. That's when I moved into real estate sales, so I could guide people through the whole journey, not just the loan.

Today I'm a Realtor, an investor and a home builder, with more than 25 years in real estate. First-time buyer, homeowner moving up, seller or investor, I put all of that experience to work for you.

That's what Save the Day Ray means. No magic tricks. Just someone who knows how the system works, tells you the truth, and stays with you until you reach your goal.

My promise to you

You'll never feel dumb for asking a question. I'll tell you the truth about where you stand, even when it's "not yet." If it's not yet, I'll give you a plan and check in until you're ready. And when you're ready, I'll fight for you until you have your keys.

Ray Christian

No judgmentBring every question, including the ones you're embarrassed to ask.
The truth, kindlyPlain English on credit, rates and costs.
Still here after "no"Not ready yet? I'll stay in touch until you are.

Saving the day in our community

Helping people isn't just my job. It's who I am.

A home is about more than a house. It's about having a safe place to land. That's why I give my time to neighbors who don't have one yet.

If you'd like to help, or know someone who needs it, reach out. We're stronger together.

"My mission is simple: help people turn real estate goals into real opportunities."

Ray Christian

Ask RayCleo

Need a little help getting there?

Credit, down payment or a bank that said no? Ray spent years in mortgage lending. Get his answers, free tools and a personal reply.

Visit Ask RayCleo

Contact

Let's talk about your next move.

Tell me a little about what you have in mind and I'll personally get back to you. No pressure and no cost.

Please don't share your Social Security number, income, bank or credit details here. Financial details are handled later, directly and securely with a lender.

Ask RayCleo

Every path home is different.
I'll help you find yours.

Before real estate sales, Ray spent years as a mortgage loan officer and banker. If credit, a down payment or a past "no" is in your way, this is where to start.

Ask Ray a question Free tools

Need a little help getting there?

I spent years in lending. I know the way through.

Credit, down payment or a bank that said no? Pick what sounds like you and let's talk about it.

"The bank told me no."

How I help: I find out why, then connect you with a lender who can walk you through other loan options or exactly what to work on first.

This is me →

"I'll never save 20% down."

How I help: I show you low down payment loans and Texas down payment assistance programs you may qualify for.

This is me →

"My credit took a hit."

How I help: I give you a step-by-step plan to get your credit ready, and I check in with you so you know when it's time.

This is me →

"I keep losing to other offers."

How I help: I build an offer that's strong on more than price, and we move fast together when the right home comes up.

This is me →

"I don't even know where to start."

How I help: one free, friendly conversation. You leave with your next three steps written down.

This is me →

"I need to sell and move, fast."

How I help: I build a plan around your deadline and stay with you until you have the keys to your next place.

This is me →

Every situation is different. Lenders and programs make the final call on loans. My job is to make sure you understand your options and get to the right people with a plan.

Ask RayCleo

Real answers from someone who's been on both sides of the desk

These are the questions I get asked most. Don't see yours? Ask me, and I'll answer you personally.

A bank told me no. Now what?

Don't give up, and don't guess. Ask the lender for the reason in writing. Sometimes it's one fixable thing, like a high card balance or a collection you didn't know about. Sometimes a different loan type or a different lender is a better fit.

Send me what they told you and I'll help you make a plan.

What credit score do I need to buy a home?

It depends on the loan and the lender. Some FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down, but many lenders set their own higher minimums. Conventional loans usually want higher scores.

The best move is to talk to a lender early. They can tell you exactly where you stand.

Can I really buy with no money down?

Some buyers can. VA loans (for eligible veterans and service members) and USDA loans (for eligible areas and incomes) can have no down payment. You'll usually still have closing costs, and down payment assistance can sometimes help with those.

What is down payment assistance?

Help from state or local programs, usually a grant or a second loan, toward your down payment or closing costs. In Texas, ask about TSAHC, TDHCA and your city's programs. Each has its own rules and income limits, and they change, so a participating lender confirms what you qualify for.

Should I fix my credit before talking to a lender?

Talk to a lender first. They can tell you exactly what's holding your score back, so you don't waste time on things that don't matter. Be careful with anyone who charges you to "erase" accurate negative items. Nobody can legally do that.

How much house can I afford?

Start with the monthly payment you're comfortable with, not the price. Remember taxes, insurance and HOA dues, which add a lot in Texas. Try the payment estimator in the toolbox, then a lender gives you your real numbers.

What's the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?

Pre-qualified is a quick estimate based on what you tell a lender. Pre-approved means the lender checked your credit and income documents. Sellers take a pre-approval much more seriously.

What's the option period in Texas?

After your offer is accepted, you pay a small option fee for a set number of days. During that time you can do inspections and back out for any reason. It's one of the best protections Texas buyers have, and I'll make sure you use it well.

Does it cost anything to work with you?

Talking with me is free. Before we tour homes, we'll sign a written agreement that explains exactly how I'm paid, so there are no surprises.

Ray's answers are general information to help you get started, not loan or legal advice. A lender confirms loan options for your situation.

Ask RayCleo

Ray answers every question himself

Please leave out your Social Security number and account details.

Toolbox

Free tools to help you get ready

Use these on your own time. No sign-up, and they never ask for personal information.

Monthly payment estimator

Principal and interest per month$0

Example numbers only, not a loan quote. Your real payment also includes property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance and any HOA dues, which add a lot in Texas. A lender gives you your actual rate and payment.

Credit prep checklist

  • Pull your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com
  • Dispute any errors you find
  • Pay every bill on time from here on
  • Keep credit card balances low
  • Avoid opening new accounts before you buy

Questions to ask a lender

  • Which loan types might fit me?
  • What credit score and down payment do they need?
  • Am I eligible for any down payment assistance?
  • What will my total monthly payment be?

Down payment assistance

Texas has state and local programs. Ask about TSAHC, TDHCA (My First Texas Home) and city programs. Rules, income limits and funding change, so a participating lender confirms what you qualify for.

Resources

Don't let these myths stop you

Straight answers to the things I hear most from people who almost didn't ask.

You need 20% down.

Many loan types allow much less. Some programs start around 3% to 3.5% down, and eligible buyers may qualify for VA or USDA loans with no down payment. Your lender confirms what fits you.

You need perfect credit.

Requirements depend on the loan and the lender. Some government-backed loans are built for buyers who are still building credit. A lender can tell you where you stand and what to improve.

Renting is cheaper, period.

It depends on your numbers. Compare your rent to a full estimated payment, including taxes and insurance, with the toolbox above.

Talking to an agent costs money up front.

Talking with me first is free. How buyer agent compensation works is covered in a written agreement before you tour homes.

Ready when you are

Let's make a plan together.

No pressure, no cost, no judgment.

Contact Ray