A comprehensive guide to the home selling process: key concepts, the 13-step roadmap, staging, avoiding delays, closing day, and moving checklists.
Selling a home can be overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it alone. As you go through the process, new questions will arise—a knowledgeable REALTOR® can make the experience more manageable and less stressful.
Writing down your questions and discussing them with your REALTOR® ensures you get the guidance you need to sell successfully.
Here's a place to list your questions as you move through each step of the journey.
What it is: Title is your right to sell and transfer ownership of your property, along with any limitations on that right.
Why it matters: A clear title is required to complete the sale. Liens, judgments, or other claims must be resolved before closing. Resolving title issues early helps avoid delays and keeps the transaction on track.
What it is: Title professionals examine public records for problems or defects and may manage closing.
Why it matters: They complete the title search, issue the policy, and coordinate with your lender and the buyer's side. Your title professional ensures the transfer proceeds smoothly.
What it is: An examination of public records to uncover issues that could affect your ability to sell—liens, judgments, tax issues, or gaps in the chain of title.
Why it matters: Issues discovered during the search must typically be resolved before closing. The title company will work with you to clear them. Addressing title issues promptly helps ensure you can close on schedule.
What it is: There are two types: owner's and lender's. The owner's policy protects the buyer; the lender's policy protects the buyer's lender. Contract terms determine who pays.
Why it matters: Title insurance protects against undiscoverable defects—forgery, fraud, unknown heirs, or recording errors. It gives buyers and lenders confidence in the transfer. Clear title and appropriate insurance help your sale close successfully.
What it is: The final step in the home selling transaction.
Why it matters: At closing, you sign the deed and other documents to transfer ownership. Once funded, you receive your proceeds. Closing completes the sale and transfers the property to the buyer.
When preparing to sell a home, many words may be unfamiliar. This list of commonly used terms links to the glossary for full definitions.
A title insurance policy is a one-time cost paid at closing that lasts as long as you have an interest in the property. In Texas, rates are regulated by the TDI and based on the amount of coverage.
Most lenders require a lender's title policy to protect their investment.
Owner's title insurance helps buyers feel confident there are no other claims to the property. It insures access, the right to occupy, and good and indefeasible title.
Thirteen key steps from finding an agent to moving day.
Your real estate agent is an expert in the home selling process and is the one who will be on your side, watching out for your best interest.
Your agent will work with you to come up with a price to list your house. They will run comps—review houses that have sold that are similar to yours in the recent past—and work with you to determine the best list price.
Prepare your home by cleaning and decluttering. You may consider hiring a professional stager. You'll also want to make any necessary repairs or home improvements.
Your agent will set up private showings where interested potential buyers can view your home. Your agent may recommend an open house.
Many factors go into the offers you receive. Your agent will help you navigate. Is it an all-cash offer? Is the purchase dependent on the sale of their current home? When you accept the best offer, you are officially under contract. A purchase offer usually requires an earnest money deposit and option fee.
An agreed-upon period stated in the contract that gives the buyer the right to terminate for any reason. Normally, the buyer has the property inspected during the option period.
After the offer is accepted and the contract is signed, the buyer has three days to deposit earnest money with the escrow agent or title company.
The title company examines public records to determine ownership, liens, and other matters that could affect the title. Matters such as judgments, bankruptcies, divorce, or death may require further investigation before closing.
The buyer may hire a professional home inspector to ensure the property is in good condition. This must be completed before the option period ends.
A home appraisal provides an independent and impartial analysis of real property and an estimate of the fair market value of the home being sold.
You will sign many documents. Bring valid government-issued photo ID, your spouse (if applicable), and any additional requirements. Confirm wiring instructions with the title company if receiving proceeds by wire. If you owe money at closing, bring a cashier's check or arrange a wire prior to closing.
The title company sends signed documents to the lender for final approval. All money is distributed.
Depending on your contract and any addenda, you may move out before closing. Generally you must be out before closing unless the buyer has agreed to a seller's temporary lease.
Preparing to list your home is important. Homes that are clean, clutter-free, and in good shape sell more quickly. Here are our top 10 ways to make a great first impression.
A clean home suggests to the buyer that the current owner has taken good care of the property. Consider hiring a cleaning service. Keep everything tidy and show-ready at all times.
Clutter takes up space and space sells. Edit down to the basics so buyers can focus on how great your space is.
Repaint rooms in neutral tones (tans, grays, whites) so buyers focus on the space, not bold wall colors.
If a spare room has served several purposes, pick one use and stage the space to showcase it.
Replace bulbs with daylight bulbs, open windows for natural light, and add lamps to dim areas. A bright room looks bigger and more inviting.
Eliminate odors. Use scented plug-ins sparingly—the goal is a nice, neutral, clean smell.
Remove family photos, toys, personal collections. Clear bathroom counters. Buyers want to see themselves in the home.
Storage sells. Remove excess items and stage closets with just the essentials.
Boost curb appeal: plant flowers, fix peeling paint, keep the walkway clear, add a wreath. Trim shrubs and mow the lawn.
Walk through and fix small items—loose cabinet doors, scuffs, touch-ups. It shows buyers you've maintained the property.
Texas contracts commonly state that the house, fixtures, improvements, and accessories are part of the sale. Here are examples of what stays and what goes.
Beds, Couches, Hammocks, Lawn mowers, Paintings and decor, Tables, Potted plants, Televisions, Area rugs, Patio grills*, Bookcases*, Washers and dryers*
Television wall mounts, Chandeliers, Window shutters, Smoke detectors, Window air conditioning units, Stoves, Garage door openers, Ceiling fans, Blinds and window shades, Shrubbery and landscaping, Wall-to-wall carpeting, Curtains, drapes, and rods
* Certain items stay or go depending on whether they're permanently installed. Freestanding washers and dryers go with the seller; built-in units stay. A grill on wheels leaves; one encased in stone stays. Have your Texas REALTOR® help you document exclusions. Buyers can request items via the Non-Realty Items Addendum.
Prior planning prevents inconvenience. Awareness of these items helps ensure a smooth closing.
Provide the title company with your current loan information so they may order your payoff in time for closing: lender's name, address and/or telephone number, loan account number, and when you made your last payment. Your lender will mail your original promissory note marked "Paid."
The title company will collect delinquent taxes at closing. If you pay them prior to closing, furnish an original tax receipt; otherwise funds may be withheld from your sales proceeds until payment is confirmed.
If you have a common surname, complete a Confidential Information Statement and return it to the title company before closing.
Escrow or impound reserves held by your lender will not be netted from your payoff at closing. Your lender will refund these after your payoff clears and escrow account analysis is complete.
If either party will use a Power of Attorney at closing: the title company must approve it first; the original must be delivered prior to closing and recorded ahead of other documents; the title company will contact you on closing day to confirm you have not revoked it.
Documents must be signed exactly as requested and properly notarized. Documents mailed internationally must be notarized in English.
Texas is a community property state. If you purchased when single and have married, your spouse must sign the deed at closing due to Texas Homestead Laws. If divorced in another county, deliver a certified copy of the Divorce Decree to the title company before closing.
You sign documents to initiate the transfer of ownership and payoff of any loans (if applicable). Documents include the Closing Disclosure and/or Settlement Statement, Grantor's Affidavit of Title, and Warranty Deed. After signing, the closing team processes documents for funding—this may take several hours. Once funded, monies are disbursed and the buyer receives the keys.
Important to-dos for sellers after closing:
Once the transaction has closed, funded, and your personal items are removed, cancel with your insurance agent. You may receive a prorated refund based on your latest renewal date. If you remain at the property after closing, notify your agent of the change.
Cancel your automated house payment deduction with your current lender if applicable.
Your lender will refund monies left in your escrow account approximately 15–30 business days after payoff. You'll receive your original Promissory Note marked 'Paid' and other loan documents. Retain these. You may also receive a Release of Lien—if not already recorded, forward it to your title closer for filing.
If you receive a tax bill for the property you sold (before the CAD updates ownership), refer to your closing statement and send the bill to the new owners.
You will receive a Substitute Form 1099-S within 30 days of closing. Retain your closing statement; it serves as a 1099-S for tax purposes.
Reduce physical mail at your new address for up to 5 years at optoutprescreen.com or 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). For permanent opt-out, sign and return the Permanent Opt-Out Election form.
Arrange to have utilities disconnected at your current home and connected at your new home. Arrange refunds of any deposits from services you aren't transferring.
Label boxes by room. Load items you need first at your new place last for quick access on arrival.
Pack toilet paper, hand soap, paper plates, medications, water bottles, snacks, and important documents in a separate box to keep with you.
Verify insurance coverage, labor, arrival day, shipping papers, and payment. Or reserve a truck if moving yourself.
Arrange care for young children and pets on move day.
Walk through the house once more. Check all closets, drawers, shelves, and the attic to ensure they are empty.
Deep clean the entire house prior to turning in the keys.
Leave all keys and garage door openers with the previously agreed party. Provide information and passwords for any smart home system.
Contact your homeowner's insurance to cancel the policy if you are not transferring it.
Start a file for your moving papers.
Additional tools and resources are in development and will be added here as they become available.
Your title company or attorney can help with your home selling and title coordination.
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."
— Mark Twain
