Selling a House in Texas: Expert Tips to Get the Best Deal

3 weeks ago 12

Thinking of selling a house in Texas? Whether you’re in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, or somewhere in between, selling your home brings up a lot of planning questions. You’re likely wondering what your house is worth and how to get the best deal.

In this easy-scan guide, we’ll provide answers to common questions about managing a home sale in Texas. We’ll also share expert insights from a top Texas real estate agent, from setting the right price to tips that can help you get top dollar for your home.

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What’s the Texas housing market like right now?

The Texas housing market is known for its fluctuations, influenced by everything from local demand and hurricane activity to national economics and partisan politics. In 2024, the market showed signs of cooling compared to the explosive growth of recent years, but it remains competitive in many areas.

Higher interest rates and home prices are impacting buyer activity. According to data from the Texas Realtors Association third-quarter statewide report:

Home sales are down 2.2 %
Active listings are up 30.4%
The median home price in the state is $340,000
Homes are typically on the market for 56 days
Inventory is up 33% over last year (4.8 months of inventory)

But even with cooling home sales, Texas is still one of the fastest-growing states, which continues to drive housing demand. In high-demand areas like some suburbs of Houston and Dallas, homes can sell faster than the average. However, in other locations, you may need to adjust your expectations on pricing or timelines compared to the more active market conditions Texas experienced a few years ago.

“It’s taking longer to sell houses because there are more houses to see,” says Chris Winstead, a top-rated San Antonio real estate agent who sells homes 40% quicker than average agents in his market. “There are almost twice as many options for buyers, and that kind of lines up with the increase in days on market.”

How should I price my Texas home?

Pricing your home correctly is one of the most crucial factors in attracting buyers. If you price it too high, your listing could sit on the market too long, which can lead to price cuts and a lower final sale price. If you price it too low, you could miss out on profits.

Winstead says setting the right listing price is more important when buyers have more options. “There are more houses on the market, so buyers can wait a little bit longer. There’s no rush for them to hurry up and get into the home and submit the offer the first couple of days a house is on the market,” he explains. “That’s why it now takes about 13 showings to get from listing to pending.”

To determine the right price, start by looking at recent sales of similar homes in your area. Your real estate agent will provide a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you see where your home stands. Factors like your home’s condition, location, and the current market conditions in your neighborhood will play a role.

In more active markets like Austin, pricing slightly below market value can sometimes create a bidding war, helping you sell for more.

How much will I make selling a house in Texas?

The amount you’ll make from selling your house depends on several factors, including the final sale price, closing costs, and your outstanding mortgage balance. On average, Texas home sellers can expect to pay closing costs of 6% to 10% of the selling price, which usually includes Realtor fees. Let’s look at an example that illustrates how a typical homeowner might walk away from a home sale with $81,800 in proceeds.

According to Experian, the average homeowner in Texas has a mortgage debt of about $231,000. Using a median home price of $340,000, and a mid-range 8% closing costs estimate, here’s how your proceeds might play out:

Home sale price: $340,000
Minus closing costs and commissions: $27,200 (estimating 8%)
Minus mortgage balance: $231,000
Proceeds estimate: $81,800

Of course, this simplified example does not take into account additional costs you may have for home preparations, repairs, and moving expenses.

What closing costs will I pay when selling a house in Texas?

As noted, closing costs can range between 6% to 10% of the home’s selling price. Here’s a look at some typical Texas seller closing costs:

Real estate commissions: This is usually the largest closing cost for sellers, paid to the listing agent.
Title insurance: In Texas, sellers typically pay for title insurance, which can be a significant cost.
Reconveyance fee: This fee covers the cost of removing any lien that a lender might have on the home’s title.
Seller concessions: These are financial incentives (seller credits) that a seller might offer to a buyer to help with the costs of purchasing a home.
Property taxes: Sellers are responsible for paying any property taxes owed up to the closing date.
Recording fees: A fee charged by the county to record the property sale.
Loan origination fees: If the seller is taking out a new loan on their next house, they may incur this fee.

Some of these expenses can be negotiated between the buyer and seller. On a positive note, unlike most states, Texas does not impose a transfer tax on real estate transactions.

Estimate your home sale proceeds: You can get a rough estimate of the cost of selling your home and your net proceeds by using HomeLight’s Net Proceeds Calculator.

What do I need to disclose when selling a house in Texas?

When selling a house in Texas, you are legally required to disclose any “material facts” about the property’s condition that could impact its value or desirability, including structural issues, water damage, termite infestations, presence of hazardous materials like asbestos or lead-based paint, and details about the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical systems, and appliances through a “Seller’s Disclosure Notice.”

Some key points to disclose in Texas include:

Physical condition: Comprehensive details about the property’s condition, including any known defects.
Water damage: Any history of water damage or flooding potential.
Pest infestations: Past or current termite or other damaging infestations.
Hazardous materials: Presence of lead-based paint, asbestos, or other hazardous materials.
Structural issues: Foundation problems or other structural concerns.
Roof condition: Details about the roof’s condition and age.
Electrical and plumbing systems: Any known issues with electrical wiring or plumbing.
Appliance functionality: Whether appliances are working properly.
HOA information: If the property is part of a homeowners association, disclose the rules and fees.

Being upfront about issues helps avoid legal complications down the line and builds trust with buyers, giving you a smoother transaction and less risk of liability.

What documents do I need when selling a house in Texas?

When selling your Texas home, several important documents may be required to complete the process. These typically include:

Original sales contract
Your home’s deed
The Seller’s Disclosure Notice
Appraisal from when you bought the home
Mortgage statement showing your payoff amount
Your homeowners insurance and tax records
Homeowners Association (HOA) documents
Any relevant home repair or maintenance records
Receipts for major capital improvements
Home manuals and warranties

Your real estate agent or title company will help you gather and organize these documents to ensure everything is in order before closing.

A Top Texas Agent Can Help Reduce Your Costs

Partner with a top Texas agent who can help you navigate your selling journey and reduce the final amount you’ll pay at closing. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.

How should I prepare my Texas home for sale?

First impressions are everything when selling your home, so preparing it for sale is key to attracting buyers. Start by decluttering and deep cleaning each room. Focus on curb appeal as well — simple upgrades like fresh landscaping, new paint on the front door, or updated light fixtures can make a big difference.

Inside, neutralize your space by removing personal items and bold decor. This allows buyers to envision themselves living in the home. Make any necessary repairs, such as fixing leaky faucets, patching up holes in walls, or replacing broken tiles.

If your budget allows, consider minor renovations like updating outdated kitchens or bathrooms. A top real estate agent can provide insight into which upgrades will give you the best return on investment in your market. To learn more, see our post: 11 Things to Do Before Listing Your Home.

What if my Texas home needs repairs I can’t afford?

If your home requires repairs but you don’t have the budget to address them, don’t worry — you still have options when selling.

Sell on the market as-is: You can choose to list your home as-is, which means you won’t be making any repairs before selling. While this might attract more cash buyers or investors, be prepared for the home to sell at a lower price compared to a fully repaired and ready property. Disclose any known issues to buyers, as Texas law requires. Listing as-is can also reduce time on the market, especially for those looking for a quick sale.
Sell to a cash home buyer: If you need a fast sale and don’t want to deal with the hassle of listing, you can consider selling to a cash home buyer. These buyers often specialize in purchasing homes that need work and can close quickly, sometimes in as little as a week or two. Keep in mind that cash offers are generally lower than offers from traditional buyers, but you’ll avoid repair costs and extended market time.

Request a no-obligation cash offer: HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform connects you with the largest network of trusted cash buyers in the country. Answer a few questions about your home and selling timeline, and you will receive a cash offer in 24 hours. If you accept the offer, you can close in as little as 10 days.

Expert tips for selling a house in Texas

When it comes to selling your home in Texas, following expert advice can help you secure the best deal. Here are a few top tips from real estate professionals:

Price it right from the start: Overpricing your home can cause it to sit on the market for too long, leading to price cuts and a lower final sale price. Use a comparative market analysis (CMA) to set a competitive price that reflects current market conditions.
Stage your home to appeal to buyers: Staging helps buyers envision themselves in the space. Simple changes like rearranging furniture, adding fresh flowers, or painting walls in neutral colors can make a big impact. You don’t have to break the bank on staging — sometimes decluttering and a deep clean are enough.
Market your home effectively: It’s important to have a solid marketing plan for your Texas home. Your agent should showcase your home using professional photography, virtual tours, and online listings. Highlight any unique features that make your property stand out, like a large backyard or proximity to desirable schools or attractions.
Be flexible with showings: Buyers may want to view your home at different times, including weekends or evenings. The more flexible you are with showings, the more potential buyers you can attract, which could lead to a faster sale.

When it comes to being flexible with showings, Winstead compares your home with a store. “We want it open 24/7— like a 7-Eleven. People can come in at any time and check it out. The more eyes we get on the property, the more feet we get in the property, the more offers we get.”

But Winstead understands most people work 9 to 5. “So, now we just have the weekends, but we don’t have 24 hours on Saturday and 24 hours on Sunday. We’ll maybe have four to six hours on Saturday and four to six hours on Sunday. So, at the most, your store is going to be open 12 hours a week.”

Being flexible with weekday and evening appointments may be challenging, but it can be profitable. However, top agents like Winstead have an innovative tool that lets homeowners buy before they sell so they can sell a house vacant — essentially opening up a 24-hour store.

How to buy a house before you sell in Texas

“Typically, we’ll maybe have four to six hours on Saturday and four to six hours on Sunday to show your home. So your store is going to be open 12 hours a week,” Winstead says. “If that was the store hours for your business, you would go out of business. Fortunately, we have tools that allow us to help you get into the next home first. Then that’s when we offer [HomeLight’s] Buy Before You Sell program.”

HomeLight Buy Before You Sell unlocks your equity to streamline the entire buy-sell process. You can make a non-contingent offer on your next home and only move once. See the short video below to learn more

“Then, we can sell your vacant, staged, repaired home for more money because now it’s easily accessible,” Winstead says, adding that, as a top agent, “our goal is to make your life easier and get you more money.”

FAQs on selling a house in Texas

Texas markets can vary, but generally, spring and summer months see more activity. “People don’t want to take their kids out of school to move,” Winstead says. “And it slows down a little bit during winter, but we really don’t get heavy snow, so it’s not like the East Coast where things shut down for the winter.”

However, the best time to sell depends on your specific location in the state and your circumstances. Texas is home to 15 active duty military installations, which can offset traditional housing market selling patterns.

To get a personalized recommendation based on your area, use HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator. This free tool analyzes market trends and helps you pinpoint the optimal time to list your Texas home.

Selling your house For Sale By Owner (FSBO) may seem like a way to save money by avoiding agent commissions, but it often results in a lower final sale price. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes sold via FSBO typically sell for a median price of $310,000, compared to $405,000 for agent-assisted sales.

While you’ll skip agent fees, the lower selling price could offset the savings, especially if you lack experience with marketing, pricing, and negotiating real estate deals.

Ready to start selling a house in Texas?

Selling your Texas home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding the current market, pricing your home strategically, and preparing it for potential buyers, you’re setting yourself up for success. Whether your home needs repairs, you’re concerned about timing, or you’re seeking the right agent, you have resources and expert guidance available to make the process smoother.

When you’re ready to take the next step, HomeLight is here to help. Our tools and services are all designed to make your real estate transaction simple, certain, and satisfying.

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