How to Sell a House By Owner in Texas (2025 Update)

Selling your Texas house For Sale By Owner (FSBO) can save you thousands in real estate agent commissions. Not only that, 77% of FSBO homes sold in just two weeks, faster than the 58-day average in the Lone Star State.

And selling your home FSBO is now easier than ever! High-tech For Sale By Owner websites in Texas will help you list on MLS within 24 hours. And when you sell, you’ll pocket an average of $10,000 in additional savings on an average Texas home!

How to Sell a House By Owner in Texas in 6 Steps

Texas has been one of the fastest-growing states in the US for many years. People move to this state because of its strong economy and affordable costs of living.

Here’s how to capitalize on this demand and sell your house by owner in Texas in 6 simple steps:

Step 1: Price Your Home Competitively

Texas’s current housing market favors sellers. With 10.9% less homes listed than last year, the median prices have increased by 2.4%. This has resulted in quicker sales, as well.

The metros with the fastest growing sales prices in Texas are the Lake Jackson, Colleyville, and Fate. The sale prices in these three metros have increased by more than 30%.

Step 2: Make Your Home Market-Ready

Texas is a popular choice for many buyers because of its strong job market and affordable living costs. You can attract these buyers if you stage your home. In fact, 58% of buyers say home staging influences their decision.

Here’s what you can do when learning how to sell your home by owner:

• Declutter and Depersonalize: Clean surfaces and remove personal items to help buyers envision themselves in the space. This makes the home feel more inviting and neutral.
• Improve Curb Appeal: Enhance curb appeal by keeping your outdoor areas well-maintained. It will create a good first impression, and buyers will love seeing vibrant, inviting exteriors.
• Highlight Outdoor Living Spaces: Showcase features like screen patios, lanais, or pool areas to help sway buyers’ decisions.
• Opt for a Professional Home Stager: Hire professional home staging companies in Texas. They will help you prep your house for listing photographs and walkthroughs.

Step 3: Increase Your Property’s Visibility

A major aspect of learning how to sell a house by owner in Texas is figuring out how to boost your property’s visibility. Here’s what you must do:

• Hire a Pro Photographer: Homes photographed professionally sell 32% faster than the average home. Showcase features like sprawling ranch land and serene lake views to captivate buyers.
• Craft a Compelling Property Description: Use words like ‘spacious’ or ‘tranquil’ to describe your home and neighborhood. You can also use ‘tropical retreat’ and ‘sun-soaked’ in coastal areas like Galveston, South Padre Island, and Port Aransas.
• List on For Sale By Owner Websites: FSBO sites like Zillow and Craigslist can increase your home’s exposure to more buyers than just friends and family.
• Put a “For Sale” Yard Sign: Yard signs are highly effective if you want to sell FSBO. 12% of sellers use yard signs to market their homes.
• List on MLS: MLS is the most powerful tool in real estate. If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you need to list on MLS in Texas.

Step 4: Organize Home Showings

Schedule showings for buyers in the evenings or on weekends. This helps you make the most of increased buyer activity while steering clear of the summer heat that can limit showings.

• Open Houses: 41% of homebuyers rely on information from open houses. Host these open houses on weekends and during day time to make the most of the daylight.
• Showings Management Platforms: With tools like Houzeo Showings, buyers and buyer agents can easily select showing slots. For out-of-state buyers, use this tool to schedule virtual tours or live video showings.

Step 5: Review, Compare, and Negotiate Offers

Though you are selling a house without a Realtor, the basics of what to do when you get offers remain the same. Consider the following when evaluating offers:

• Cash Offers: Ensure you are getting a fair value for your property and not being low-balled.
• Buyer Financing: Make sure the buyer is pre-approved for a mortgage and has financial backing.
• Contingencies: Look for inspection or appraisal contingencies. Texas homes may need special evaluations for flood risks in coastal areas.
• Closing Costs: As a seller, you typically pay your own closing costs like escrow fees, HOA, etc. However, if you offer seller concessions, your home will appeal more to buyers.

Step 6: Finalize the Sale

A real estate attorney can help you draft the paperwork for selling a house without a Realtor in Texas to minimize legal risks. This includes title and closing documents. Typically, their fee ranges between $500 and $2,000.

How Much Do You Save By Selling Your Home By Owner?

The entire 3% listing agent fee! That’s how much you save when selling a house by owner in Texas.

To put that into perspective, let’s say, you’re selling a house priced at $343,800. Assuming you pay a 3% commission fee, you’ll have to shell out $10,314 to your listing agent. With Houzeo, you could reduce that cost significantly:

Details	Traditional Realtor (3%)	FSBO with Houzeo
Home Sale Price	$343,800	$343,800
Listing Price	$10,314	$429*
Savings	$0	($10,311- $2,148) $8163

» Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews now to learn more about how to sell a house by owner in Texas and make an informed decision!

Pros and Cons of Selling a House Without a Realtor

More homeowners are choosing FSBO, with 26% of Boomers, 17% of Millennials, 23% of Gen Xers, and 6% of Silent Gen going this route. However, before you jump on the bandwagon, you must consider the pros and cons of FSBO:

✅ Pros

• Cost Savings: In Texas, sellers typically pay 2.5% to 3% in listing fees. When you sell FSBO, you can eliminate the cost.
• Quick Sale: You can list your house yourself whenever you are ready. You need not hunt for a real estate agent to begin selling a house For Sale By Owner in Texas. 77% of FSBO homes sell in less than 2 weeks.
• Full Control: As an independent Texas home seller, you will interact with buyers directly. You will also control other aspects of selling by owner in Texas, such as showings, negotiations, paperwork, etc.

❌ Cons

• Limited Assistance: Handling paperwork, inspections, and negotiations on your own can be overwhelming without the right support.
• Potential Hidden Costs: Several FSBO listing services with low upfront costs may have a high hidden fee at closing. Additionally, several FSBO sites like Craigslist are infamous for attracting unqualified buyers and scammers.

What Are the Common FSBO Mistakes to Avoid?

❌ Don’t Skip the MLS: MLS exposure is crucial so that your house is listed on over 100+ sites. Statistically, homes listed on the MLS sell faster and for 17.5% more.

❌ Don’t Over or Underprice Your Home: Overpricing in competitive Texas markets like Austin or Dallas can scare off buyers, while underpricing may result in leaving money on the table.

❌ Don’t Skip Professional Photography: Professionally shot homes sell 32% faster. So, skipping professional real estate photography will lead to lesser foot traffic and slower home sales.

❌ Don’t Miscalculate Closing Costs: An error when calculating your closing costs can affect how you plan for future expenses. A shortfall could impact your ability to secure your new home.

❌ Don’t Make Paperwork Mistakes: Errors in your paperwork, like flood zone disclosures or HOA details, could delay or cancel the sale.

Should You Sell Your House By Owner in Texas?

Yes! Selling your house by owner in Texas can save you thousands in commissions. Also, you get more control over the whole process. While buyers may not be actively looking now, your property could attract those seeking mild-winters and a slower pace of life.

Frequently Asked Questions