Selling your Houston home.
What to do before, during, and after you list — in the order it happens.
1. Know your number.
Start with a comparative market analysis (CMA): a look at recent nearby sales, active competition, and your home's condition and updates. A CMA is not an appraisal, but it gives you a realistic range. Then estimate your net: sale price minus your loan payoff, closing costs, any repairs or concessions, and agent compensation as agreed in your listing agreement.
2. Prepare the home.
Small fixes pay off in photos and showings: declutter, deep-clean, touch up paint, replace burned-out bulbs, and handle obvious repairs. A pre-listing inspection can surface issues early so they don't derail a contract later.
3. Disclosures.
Texas sellers of most single-family homes must give buyers a Seller's Disclosure Notice, which now includes questions about flooding, flood insurance claims, and whether the home is in a floodplain. Answer it completely and honestly; when in doubt, disclose. Gather HOA documents, warranties, surveys, and permits for recent work.
4. Price it right.
Buyers compare your home against everything else on the market that week. Pricing in line with recent sales helps you draw early interest, when attention is highest. We'll review the pricing data with you before you decide — it's always your call.
5. Marketing and showings.
See How We Market Your Home for our step-by-step process. During showings, keep the home ready on short notice, secure valuables and medications, and let us gather feedback for you.
6. Offers and negotiation.
Price is only part of an offer. Compare financing type, earnest money, option days and fee, closing date, and any requested seller-paid costs. If you get more than one offer, we'll lay them side by side so you can choose with clear eyes.
7. Option period to closing.
After you accept, the buyer typically inspects during the option period and may ask for repairs or a credit. Then come the appraisal (if financed), title work, and the buyer's final walk-through. You sign at the title company, and the sale closes when the buyer's loan funds.
General information for Texas home buyers and sellers, not legal, tax or lending advice. Talk with the appropriate professional about your situation.
Start with your number.
Request a free home value from a MAC agent.
Seller questions, answered.
How do I choose a listing agent in Houston?
Confirm the agent's license with TREC, then ask each agent for a pricing view based on recent comparable sales, a written marketing plan and how often you'll hear from them. MAC is a Houston team brokered by eXp Realty; see How We Market Your Home for our process, or call 832-303-3630.
How do I find out what my Houston home is worth?
Start with a comparative market analysis (CMA): a look at recent nearby sales, the homes you'd compete with, and your home's condition and updates. A CMA is not an appraisal, but it gives you a realistic range. You can request your home value and a MAC agent will walk you through it.
What do I have to disclose when I sell a home in Texas?
Sellers of most single-family homes in Texas must give buyers a Seller's Disclosure Notice, which includes questions about flooding, flood insurance claims and floodplain status. Homes built before 1978 also need a federal lead-based paint disclosure. Answer completely and honestly; when in doubt, disclose.
Do I need to make repairs before I list?
You're not required to, but small fixes usually pay off in photos and showings: declutter, deep-clean, touch up paint and handle obvious repairs. A pre-listing inspection can surface issues early so they don't derail a contract later.
What happens during the buyer's option period?
After you accept an offer, the buyer typically inspects the home during the option period and may ask for repairs or a credit, or end the contract. You can agree, counter or decline any request. We'll help you weigh each request against your goals and timeline.
What costs should I plan for when selling?
Your net is the sale price minus your loan payoff, your share of title and closing costs, prorated property taxes, any repairs or concessions you agree to, HOA-related fees if you have an HOA, and agent compensation as set in your listing agreement. Ask for a written net sheet before you list and again when you review offers.