7 Tips to Sell Your House in Texas in Today’s Market

2. Prepare your home around what Texas buyers value

Winstead says that when buyers have more choices, they scrutinize more deeply, which adds time on the market, especially for homes that don’t stand out. 

“It’s taking longer to sell houses because there are more houses to see and compare,”  he explains. “There are almost twice as many options for buyers, and that lines up with the increase in days on market.”

To help your home stand out, Winstead says to focus your time and money on improvements that matter most to buyers in your market. Otherwise, they may pass up your listing in favor of more appealing competing properties.

Yes, he says you should start with the basics: deep-clean the entire house, declutter, address obvious maintenance problems, and improve curb appeal. But then talk with your agent about specific features and conditions that may receive particular attention from buyers in your market.

While preferences vary by location, price point, and buyer, many Texas house hunters may pay particular attention to features such as:

• Efficient, well-maintained HVAC systems for extreme summer heat
• Newer or impact-rated roofing to withstand hail
• Extended garage space with high clearance for full-sized trucks
• Space or side access for an RV, boat, or shed storage
• Covered back patio with ceiling fans and outdoor grill gas lines
• Fully fenced yard with pet-friendly, drought-tolerant landscaping
• Private home office or flexible multi-generational living space
• Dedicated mudroom and ample indoor storage

Depending on where you live, buyers may be alert to drainage problems, previous flooding, or other related concerns, such as how these factors might affect a home’s foundation.

Winstead says an experienced local agent will know what’s profitable to update or repair and what not to fix before listing. He cautions that some projects may improve your home’s marketability, while others can cost more than you’re likely to recover.

For a more detailed checklist, see our guide to preparing your home for sale.

3. Make your home easy to show

Once your home is listed, buyers need opportunities to see it.

That can be challenging when you’re still living in the house, particularly if you have children, pets, work-from-home schedules, or other responsibilities. But limiting showings to narrow windows can mean missing buyers who have several other homes on their list.

Winstead compares selling a home to running a store. If your house is only available for showings a few hours each week, you’re effectively limiting your store hours.

“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,” he explains.

You don’t literally need to accommodate buyers around the clock, but work with your agent to establish a showing plan that gives serious buyers reasonable flexibility. Keeping the home clean and show-ready can also make last-minute appointments easier to manage.

If you’re buying another home at the same time, moving before you sell can eliminate some of these logistical challenges. Winstead says HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program is one option he offers clients that allows eligible homeowners to access their existing equity to purchase their next home before selling their current home.

Winstead says moving first can make the home easier to sell: “Then, we can sell your vacant, staged, repaired home for more money because now it’s easily accessible.”

Watch this short video to learn more about HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell.

4. Know what Texas sellers need to disclose

Texas sellers should also prepare for the state’s disclosure requirements.

In most single-family home sales, sellers are required to provide buyers with a Seller’s Disclosure Notice describing known information about the property’s condition.

Depending on the property, this can include information about the home’s systems and appliances, structural or roof repairs, previous flooding or water penetration, environmental conditions, and other known defects or issues.

The disclosure isn’t a substitute for a home inspection, and sellers aren’t expected to identify problems they don’t know about. The goal is to disclose known information about the property as required by Texas law.

Winstead says some home sales may be exempt from the standard disclosure requirement. If you’re unsure what applies to you or how to answer a question on the Texas disclosure form, ask your agent or a real estate attorney. He cautions against guessing.

To be better prepared for disclosures, you can also gather documentation related to: 

• Major repairs or improvements
• Insurance claims
• Warranties
• Permits

Having these records readily available can also make it easier for you or your agent to respond to buyer questions.

5. Estimate your selling costs and potential proceeds

As you plan for your sale and your next move, Winstead advises his clients to maintain a clear understanding of what they can expect from their final proceeds. This means knowing more than just your sale price.

Your real estate agent will typically prepare a seller’s net sheet that breaks down your remaining mortgage balance, agent compensation, closing costs, property taxes, negotiated buyer concessions, repairs, and other expenses associated with the transaction.

If you’re curious to see a preliminary snapshot of your potential costs and proceeds, try our Texas Seller Closing Cost Calculator below.

Editor’s note: Our calculator can give you a useful starting point, but your actual costs will depend on your home and the terms you negotiate with the buyer.

6. Decide how to handle repairs you can’t afford

Repairs can become one of the biggest questions when preparing to sell a house in Texas, particularly if an inspection reveals an expensive problem such as foundation movement, roof damage, plumbing issues, or an aging HVAC system.

If you don’t have the money or time to make major repairs, you still have options.

One is to list your Texas home as-is, meaning you’re selling it in its current condition rather than promising to make repairs before closing. Keep in mind that selling as-is doesn’t eliminate your disclosure obligations, and buyers can still request an inspection or negotiate based on what they find.

The trade-off is that a home needing substantial work may attract a smaller pool of buyers or lower offers. Some buyers using traditional financing may also encounter lender requirements related to the property’s condition.

Another option is selling directly to a Texas cash buyer. Many cash buyers purchase homes as-is, allowing sellers to skip repairs and much of the traditional preparation process. The trade-off for speed and convenience is typically price: An investor’s offer will account for the home’s condition, anticipated repair costs, and the return the buyer hopes to make.

If you’re curious about this route, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform can connect you with vetted cash buyers in your area. You can request a no-obligation cash offer and close in as few as 7 days.

Before committing, Winstead recommends you compare what you might receive selling as-is with what you could potentially make after completing some repairs and listing on the open market. If targeted repairs could meaningfully increase your sale proceeds, you might also consider whether you have a practical way to cover the upfront costs.

7. Work with an agent who understands your Texas market

When it comes to selling a house in Texas, there isn’t one statewide market. A selling strategy that works in Austin may not make sense in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, or a smaller Texas community.

Winstead says that even within the same metro area, buyer demand, competition, property values, and selling times can vary considerably by neighborhood and price point.

“Local experience matters,” he says. “As [agents], our goal is to make your life easier and get you more money.”

When interviewing agents, ask about their recent experience selling homes similar to yours. Look at where they sell, their transaction history, how they determine a listing price, and how they would position your home against competing properties.

If you don’t already have an agent, HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with top-performing agents based on your property and location. 

Below are search links for some of the highest-rated agents in six major Texas markets:

• Top real estate agents in Houston
• Top real estate agents in San Antonio
• Top real estate agents in Dallas
• Top real estate agents in Austin
• Top real estate agents in Fort Worth
• Top real estate agents in El Paso

We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you.

How long does it take to sell a house in Texas?

There’s no single timeline for selling a house in a state as large as Texas. How long your sale takes will depend on your city’s market, asking price, property condition, local buyer demand, and how long it takes to close after you accept an offer.

Rather than relying on a statewide average, look at recent selling times for comparable homes in your specific area. Your agent can tell you how quickly similar properties are going under contract and whether local selling times are trending longer or shorter.

Seasonality can matter, too, although the best time to sell isn’t necessarily the same throughout Texas. If your timing is flexible, HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator can help you estimate which months have historically produced the strongest results for speed or proceeds.

Ready to start selling a house in Texas?

No single selling strategy works across a state as big and varied as Texas. Your local market, home condition, competition, and priorities should all factor into your decisions.

Start by finding out what comparable homes are selling for, then decide which preparations are worth making and what you can realistically expect to spend and net from the sale.

Whether you choose to list with an agent, sell as-is, or consider a cash offer, comparing your options early can help you choose the approach that best fits your timeline and financial goals.

To learn more, visit HomeLight’s Texas Seller Resource Center.

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