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Free Home Seller's Guide for Houston and Surrounding Cities
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Free download · 10 pages · 2026 edition
How to sell your home for top dollar, with less stress
How to price, prepare and market your home: the 7 steps, pricing, a prep checklist, our marketing plan, who pays what in Texas, and the top 10 questions sellers ask us.
Download the PDFFree Home ValueQuick answer: Selling a home in the Houston area takes 7 steps: a pricing consultation, getting your home ready, launching the listing, showings and open houses, negotiating offers, the option period and appraisal, and closing. Pricing right from day one matters most, because buyer interest is highest in the first 2 to 3 weeks. Closing usually takes about 30 to 45 days after you accept an offer.
The 7 steps to selling your home
- Consultation and pricing Day 1We walk through your home, learn your goals and timing, and show you recent nearby sales and the homes you'll compete with. Together we set a price and a plan.
- Get your home ready 1 to 3 weeksWe give you a simple to-do list: small repairs, decluttering and curb appeal that help your home photograph and show its best. You fill out the Seller's Disclosure Notice.
- Launch the listing Go-live dayYour home goes live on HAR.com, which sends it to Zillow, Realtor.com and every agent in Houston. The same day, we email it to our database and post it on social media.
- Showings and open houses OngoingAgents book showings through a scheduling service, and we hold open houses. After showings, we share buyer feedback with you.
- Review offers and negotiate VariesWe compare offers on price, financing, closing date and seller-paid costs, not just the top number, and negotiate the best terms for you.
- Option period and appraisal 2 to 4 weeksThe buyer inspects the home and may ask for repairs. We negotiate fair answers and keep the lender, appraiser and title company on schedule.
- Closing day Sold!You sign at the title company, your loan is paid off, and your proceeds are sent to you. We help you plan your move-out date with the buyer.
Price it right from day one
When your home is new to the market, every buyer with a matching alert sees it and agents rush to show it. Priced right, that first wave is when the best offers come in. An overpriced home sits, and usually needs price cuts that net less than pricing right at first.
What we look at
- Recent sales on your street and in your neighborhood
- Similar homes for sale right now
- Condition and updates: roof, kitchen, floors, A/C
- How long similar homes are taking to sell
Before you list
- Small repairs: leaks, fixtures, A/C service
- Declutter and deep-clean
- Fresh mulch, a clean driveway, a bright front door
- Complete your Seller's Disclosure Notice
How we market your home
Pricing from local sales
We compare your home with recent sales and active competition on your streets.
Houston MLS (HAR) listing
HAR.com sends your listing to Zillow, Realtor.com and hundreds of sites, and to every Houston-area agent.
Heavy social media
We promote your home on Facebook, Instagram and our other channels so local buyers see it in their feeds.
Open houses
We bring in buyers who don't have an agent yet, and neighbors who know someone who wants to move in.
Email blast to 4,500+
The day you list, your home goes to the buyers, past clients and contacts in our CRM.
Bilingual marketing
We market and show your home in English and Spanish, widening your pool of buyers.
Seller result: a 5-bedroom home on Hyacinth Path Way in Carpenters Landing went under contract in 5 days on the market, after we priced it from recent neighborhood sales and launched it with social media, an open house and an email blast to our buyer database.
What it costs to sell in Texas
| Cost | Who usually pays |
|---|---|
| Mortgage payoff and any liens | Seller, from the proceeds |
| Owner's title insurance policy | Seller (customary in our area; the contract says who pays) |
| Real estate agent compensation | Negotiable, set in the listing agreement |
| Property taxes for the year | Shared, by the days each party owns the home |
| Survey, HOA resale certificate, repairs | Negotiable in the contract |
| Buyer's loan costs and appraisal | Buyer, unless you agree to help |
If the home was your main home for 2 of the last 5 years, federal law generally lets you exclude up to $250,000 of profit ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly). Ask your tax professional.
Top 10 questions sellers ask us
What is my home worth?
It depends on recent sales near you, your home's condition and updates, and the homes you'll compete with today. Online estimates can be off by tens of thousands of dollars. We'll give you a free, detailed pricing review.
When is the best time to sell?
Spring and early summer usually bring the most buyers in Houston, but well-priced homes sell all year, and fall and winter often have less competition. The best time is when it fits your plans.
How long will it take to sell?
Well-priced homes in good condition often go under contract in the first few weeks. After that, closing usually takes about 30 to 45 days when the buyer has a mortgage.
Do I need to make repairs before listing?
Usually only small ones. Fix things buyers will notice and inspectors will flag, like leaks, broken fixtures and A/C service. We'll tell you which repairs are worth it and which to skip.
How will you market my home?
Pricing from local sales, the Houston MLS (which feeds Zillow and Realtor.com), heavy social media, open houses, and an email blast to the 4,500+ buyers and contacts in our database, in English and Spanish.
What does it cost to sell?
Common costs include agent compensation, the owner's title policy, your share of property taxes and any repairs or seller-paid costs. Before you list, we give you a net sheet showing what you could walk away with.
Do I have to leave during showings?
It's best to. Buyers relax and picture themselves in the home when the owner isn't there. Showings are scheduled ahead, and you can set times that work for your family.
Can I buy and sell at the same time?
Yes. We can time both closings for the same day, ask for a short leaseback after closing, or help you get pre-approved so you know your options before you list.
What do I have to disclose?
Texas requires most sellers to give buyers a Seller's Disclosure Notice listing known problems and past repairs, such as roof, foundation, plumbing or flooding. We help you complete it accurately.
What happens after we accept an offer?
The buyer has an option period, often 5 to 10 days, to inspect. They may ask for repairs or credits, which we negotiate. Then come the appraisal, loan approval, final walk-through and closing.
What our clients say
5.0 on Google from 140 reviews.
"Coral Cardenas was able to sell our house at asking price quickly. She is very knowledgeable and made the entire selling process very easy."
Coral C., seller
"The entire team was extremely helpful and always responded quickly with all the information. The clear communication definitely made an overwhelming process super easy."
Juan M.
What is your home worth?
Call or text 713-996-9755 for a free, no-obligation pricing review and net sheet. Se habla español.
Download the Seller's Guide Free Home ValueBuying your next home? Get our free Home Buyer's Guide. See also how we sell homes.
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