# How to Sell a House in Texas | Licensed Agent Guide > How to sell a house in Texas in 5 clear steps. A licensed TREC agent covers contracts, disclosures, title-company closing, and scam red flags. URL: https://dfwrealestatereview.com/how-to-sell-a-house-in-texas/ # How to Sell a House in Texas: Your Complete Walkthrough The process/legal hub anchoring the Texas transaction pipeline: forms, disclosures, title-company closing, and legal guides. Last updated: July 15, 2026 Compare Your Options [/best-cash-home-buyer-companies-dfw/ →](/best-cash-home-buyer-companies-dfw/) Free Net Proceeds Calculator [/tools/net-proceeds-calculator/ →](/tools/net-proceeds-calculator/) ![DFW Real Estate Review guide to Texas TREC contract documents and seller disclosure forms](https://placehold.co/1600x900/233144/ffffff?text=Editorial+photo+of+Texas+real+estate+contract+documents+with+state+seal+and+pen) Licensed Texas Agent (TREC #679806) | Independent since 2016 | Full referral disclosure ## What this hub covers - End-to-end Texas selling process, step by step - TREC forms and the mandatory seller's disclosure notice explained - How Texas title-company closings work and how to choose one - How to spot real estate scams and understand the TREC 1-4 Family contract ## Selling a House in Texas: Contract to Closing Selling a home in Texas has its own rules. Whether you own a single-family home in Dallas, a townhouse in Fort Worth, or a condo in Plano, the process follows the same framework. The closing happens at a title company, not an attorney’s office. There’s a mandatory seller’s disclosure most other states don’t require. The standard residential contract is a promulgated TREC form. And the option period - a paid inspection window unique to Texas - sits at the front of every deal. DFW Real Estate Review - independent since 2016 and written by a licensed Texas real estate agent (TREC #679806) - built this walkthrough for North Texas homeowners. Read it before you sign a listing agreement, a cash-buyer offer, or any FSBO contract. ## Five Steps Every Home Seller Walks Through **Stage 1: Decide the lane.** Traditional listing with a full-service agent, discount agent, flat fee MLS, cash sale, or FSBO. Each has different marketing, different negotiation, and different post-contract obligations. Our cost hub [/cost-to-sell-a-house-in-texas/ →](/cost-to-sell-a-house-in-texas/) breaks down the net-proceeds difference between them. | Selling lane | Typical net proceeds | Typical time to close | | --- | --- | --- | | Full-service listing | Highest (after 5–6% commission) | 30–90 days | | Discount agent / flat fee MLS | High (commission cut to ~1–3%) | 30–90 days | | Cash sale (as-is) | Lower (no commission, discounted offer) | 7–14 days | | FSBO | Varies (no listing commission, more work) | 30–120 days | **Stage 2: Prepare disclosures.** Texas Property Code §5.008 requires the seller of most residential property to complete and deliver a written **Seller’s Disclosure Notice** covering known defects, systems, and property history. Filling this out sloppily is how sellers get sued after closing. Complete it carefully. If the home was built before 1978, add the federal lead-paint disclosure. If there’s an HOA, order a resale certificate. **Stage 3: Sign the contract.** Most Texas residential resales use the **TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale)**. Standard components: - Purchase price and financing terms - Earnest money (typically 1% of price) - **Option period** - usually 5–10 days, paid separately, gives buyer the unrestricted right to terminate - Inspection contingencies and repair negotiation deadlines - Closing date - Any addenda (HOA, lead paint, third-party financing) Cash-buyer companies frequently use their own contracts. Those are legal but do not have the buyer-protection language of a TREC form. Read them line by line - especially the section on how repair-cost “adjustments” work. **Stage 4: Move through the option period.** Buyer inspects the home, requests repairs or credits, and either accepts, negotiates, or terminates. This is where deals live or die. On a cash sale that’s marketed as “as-is, no inspection contingency,” the option period is often waived entirely - read the contract to confirm. **Stage 5: Close at the title company.** Texas closings are done at a title company by an escrow officer, not an attorney. Seller signs the deed and closing documents; lender wires the funds; title company records the deed; seller receives net proceeds by wire or check. Typical closing appointment: 30–60 minutes. ![Dallas-Fort Worth homeowner filling out the Texas Seller's Disclosure Notice (TREC OP-H) at a kitchen counter](https://placehold.co/1200x800/B8860B/ffffff?text=Homeowner+filling+out+the+Texas+Sellers+Disclosure+Notice+at+kitchen+counter) ## Costly Mistakes DFW Home Sellers Make **Underestimating the disclosure.** The seller’s disclosure is not a formality. Failure to disclose known defects can expose you to post-closing litigation. When in doubt, disclose. **Not reading the cash-buyer contract.** Most complaints DFW Real Estate Review has documented about cash-buyer companies come from sellers who signed a contract with vague “repair adjustment” language and were surprised when the offer dropped $15k the day before closing. Read the whole thing. **Assuming a wholesaler is the end buyer.** Wholesalers are legal in Texas but they don’t buy - they assign the contract to a third party. If you weren’t told upfront, you have a right to ask. **Skipping the option period.** Even if you’re motivated, the option period is your negotiation leverage. Not having one puts all the leverage on the buyer. **Choosing a title company blindly.** Not all title companies work the same. A good escrow officer catches lien and heirship issues weeks before closing; a mediocre one flags them the day of. ## TREC Forms, Disclosures, and Closing Guides Every step above has a dedicated guide: - Understanding the TREC One to Four Family contract [/guide/understanding-the-trec-one-to-four-family-contract/ →](/guide/understanding-the-trec-one-to-four-family-contract/) - Texas seller’s disclosure form (TREC OP-H) [/guide/texas-seller-disclosure-form-trec-op-h/ →](/guide/texas-seller-disclosure-form-trec-op-h/) - How title companies work in Texas [/guide/how-title-companies-work-in-texas/ →](/guide/how-title-companies-work-in-texas/) - What happens at closing when you sell in Texas [/guide/what-happens-at-closing-when-you-sell-in-texas/ →](/guide/what-happens-at-closing-when-you-sell-in-texas/) - How to spot a real estate scam in DFW [/guide/how-to-spot-a-real-estate-scam-in-dfw/ →](/guide/how-to-spot-a-real-estate-scam-in-dfw/) - What is a wholesaler, and should you sell to one? [/guide/what-is-a-wholesaler-and-should-you-sell-to-one/ →](/guide/what-is-a-wholesaler-and-should-you-sell-to-one/) - How long does it take to sell a house in DFW? [/guide/how-long-does-it-take-to-sell-a-house-in-dfw/ →](/guide/how-long-does-it-take-to-sell-a-house-in-dfw/) Selling a house in Texas is not complicated. It’s just specific - especially across Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton counties where each county’s title and tax office has its own quirks. This hub is your map through the process. Free, no email required ## See what your DFW home actually nets. Run the numbers before you sign anything. Two free calculators, no lead-capture wall. Net Proceeds Calculator [/tools/net-proceeds-calculator/ →](/tools/net-proceeds-calculator/) View 2026 Rankings [/best-cash-home-buyer-companies-dfw/ →](/best-cash-home-buyer-companies-dfw/) ## How It Works 1 ### Decide the lane Traditional listing, discount agent, flat fee MLS, cash sale, or FSBO. Each has different paperwork obligations under Texas law but all use the same seller's disclosure and the same title-company closing structure. 2 ### Prepare the property and disclosures Complete the mandatory Seller's Disclosure Notice per Texas Property Code §5.008 and any HOA-related disclosures. Get lead paint disclosure if the home was built pre-1978. 3 ### Sign the contract Most Texas residential sales use the TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale). Amendments, addenda, and the option period are all standard parts of that contract. 4 ### Move through the option period Buyer inspection, negotiation of repairs or credits, and objection deadlines all happen inside the option period, typically 5–10 days after execution. 5 ### Close at the title company In Texas, closings happen at a title company. Signing, funding, and recording are handled by the escrow officer. Seller receives net proceeds by wire or check. ## Why this coverage is different ### Texas-specific, not generic This is not a national selling guide with Texas info sprinkled in. It's built around TREC forms and Texas Property Code from step one. ### Written by a licensed agent Content researched and written by a licensed Texas real estate agent (TREC #679806). We know where the paperwork actually trips people up. ### Scam-avoidance built in Texas has an active wholesaling and 'cash for keys' scam scene. This hub flags the common patterns so you don't sign the wrong thing. Reader feedback ## What DFW Sellers Say > ★★★★★ > > "I was about to sign with the first 'we buy houses' company that mailed me a postcard. Their review broke down exactly what I'd actually net versus listing, and it saved me from a lowball offer." > ★★★★★ > > "Going through a divorce with a house neither of us could agree on. The guide on selling during divorce in Texas laid out our real options in plain English. Finally something written for Texas, not generic advice." ## Frequently Asked Questions What contract do I use to sell a house in Texas? For a standard residential resale, the TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale) is the standard form. It's a promulgated TREC contract and is used by every licensed agent. FSBO sellers can also use it. Cash-buyer companies often use their own contract - read carefully before signing. Is the Texas Seller's Disclosure Notice required? Yes. Texas Property Code §5.008 requires the seller of most residential real property to complete and deliver a written Seller's Disclosure Notice to the buyer. Certain sales are exempt (a small number, including some trustee and executor sales) but the vast majority of residential sales require it. Do I need an attorney to sell a house in Texas? Not for a standard sale. Texas closings are handled by title companies, not attorneys. That said, for unusual situations - probate, disputed heirship, back taxes, undisclosed liens - a real estate attorney is often worth the cost. How long does a Texas home sale take from contract to close? A traditional financed sale typically runs 30–45 days from executed contract to closing. A cash sale can close in 7–14 days once title is clear. Delays typically come from lender underwriting (financed sales), title issues, or repair-credit negotiations. What are the typical closing costs when selling a house in Texas? As of 2026, Texas sellers typically pay 1-3% of the sale price in closing costs, including title insurance, escrow fees, and prorated property taxes. On a traditional listing, add 5-6% for agent commissions. Cash sales eliminate commissions but usually offer 70-85% of market value. Our \[closing costs breakdown for DFW sellers\](/guide/closing-costs-for-sellers-in-dfw/) covers every line item. ## Related coverage ### Best Cash Home Buyer Companies DFW The rankings hub that anchors every company review and head-to-head comparison, with a published scoring methodology. [Best Cash Home Buyer Companies DFW →](/best-cash-home-buyer-companies-dfw/) ### Cost to Sell a House in Texas The cost hub anchoring all seller-cost, fee-breakdown, and home-value content with a worked Texas net-proceeds example. [Cost to Sell a House in Texas →](/cost-to-sell-a-house-in-texas/) ### Sell My House Fast Dallas The definitive Dallas guide comparing every option for a fast sale, with real local offer data and links to every company review. [Sell My House Fast Dallas →](/sell-my-house-fast-dallas/) ## Related Guides In-depth guides for Selling Process. - How Long Does It Take to Sell a House in DFW? [/guide/how-long-does-it-take-to-sell-a-house-in-dfw/ →](/guide/how-long-does-it-take-to-sell-a-house-in-dfw/) - How Title Companies Work in Texas and How to Choose One [/guide/how-title-companies-work-in-texas/ →](/guide/how-title-companies-work-in-texas/) - Texas Seller Disclosure Form (TREC OP-H): What You Must Report [/guide/texas-seller-disclosure-form-trec-op-h/ →](/guide/texas-seller-disclosure-form-trec-op-h/) - Understanding the TREC One to Four Family Contract [/guide/understanding-the-trec-one-to-four-family-contract/ →](/guide/understanding-the-trec-one-to-four-family-contract/) - What Is a Wholesaler and Should You Sell to One? [/guide/what-is-a-wholesaler-and-should-you-sell-to-one/ →](/guide/what-is-a-wholesaler-and-should-you-sell-to-one/) - How to Spot a Real Estate Scam in DFW [/guide/how-to-spot-a-real-estate-scam-in-dfw/ →](/guide/how-to-spot-a-real-estate-scam-in-dfw/) - What Happens at Closing When You Sell in Texas [/guide/what-happens-at-closing-when-you-sell-in-texas/ →](/guide/what-happens-at-closing-when-you-sell-in-texas/) ## Ready to weigh your DFW options? Independent 2026 rankings, real fee breakdowns, and free calculators. Compare Your Options [/best-cash-home-buyer-companies-dfw/ →](/best-cash-home-buyer-companies-dfw/) Ask a Question [/contact/ →](/contact/)