When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Texas?
- Published on
- 10 min read
-
Dwayne Vega, Contributing AuthorClose
Dwayne Vega Contributing AuthorDwayne Vega is a freelance writer with a specialization in real estate content. He works closely with B2C and B2B companies providing useful and engaging content that converts viewers into clients. When he isn’t writing for work, you can find him reading and writing for his ongoing MFA in Creative Writing.
-
Richard Haddad, Executive EditorClose
Richard Haddad Executive EditorRichard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.
The timing of listing your Texas home can significantly affect both its sale price and how quickly it sells. For example, historical data shows that listing your $300,000 Laredo home in June for a September closing could boost your sale price by up to 5.29% above the yearly average. In this post, we’ll explore when is the best time to sell a house in Texas, uncover key market trends, and share expert tips to help you sell your home faster and for a higher price.
Texas housing trends
In recent years, Texas homes have been selling fast year-round. Currently, properties in the state take an average of 54 days on market (DOM) to move from a listing to a signed contract. This metric is important as it reflects the market’s pace — faster sales typically indicate a more active market, while longer periods might suggest less demand or increased competition.
The “months of inventory” in Texas stands at 4.6, indicating how many months it would take to sell all currently listed homes at the state’s current sales pace.
When an area has a higher months’ supply, such as six months, the inventory generally is viewed as balanced, leading to moderate price appreciation. Conversely, a lower months’ supply usually accelerates price increases, a trend currently observed in Texas — beneficial for sellers but challenging for buyers.
The median home price for the Lone Star State is about $345,000, up 0.6% from the prior year, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center.
These trends reveal that the Texas sellers’ market is still white-hot, and you can get great value for your home if you sell at the optimal time.
What's Your Texas Home Worth Now?
Get a near-instant real estate house price estimate from HomeLight for free. Our tool analyzes the records of recently sold homes near you, your home’s last sale price, and other market trends to provide a preliminary range of value in under two minutes.
When is the best time to sell a house in Texas?
The optimal time to sell a house in Texas significantly depends on your selling goals. There may be a specific month that is ideal for a quick sale and another that is best for achieving a higher price. Additionally, the location of your home plays a crucial role in determining the best time to sell. The saying “Location, Location, Location” holds true — your home’s timing is influenced by its region within Texas. Each neighborhood has its own dynamics, making some factors unique to your home and its community.
For instance, the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metro area leads the nation in population growth. As explained by top real estate agent Jason Danford of the Brent Germany Team, continued growth in his part of the DFW metro area “created a year-round selling season,” but adds that the best month to sell is in the spring, typically March and April.
Population growth controls smaller markets as well. Corpus Christi’s population is about 355,000 and is incredibly small compared to the DFW metro area’s population of a staggering 8.1 million people.
Don’t let Corpus Christi’s size fool you. Since 2021, there have been “really good figures for people moving to the area,” says Corpus Christi top real estate agent Kim Erwin, who works with over 71% more single-family homes than the average area agent.
To give you a better idea, we’ve looked at historical real estate transaction data from 15 cities of different sizes that provide an overview of what might be the best times to sell your Texas home and the possible benefits. Your selling results will vary depending on what’s happening in your market and other home-selling variables.
5 large cities in Texas
| City name | Population | Best time to list for higher price | Best time to list to sell fast |
| Houston | 6,802,000 | September (4.10% more) | May (7 days sooner) |
| San Antonio | 2,491,000 | September (4.55% more) | April (6 days sooner) |
| Dallas | 6,655,000 | March (6.87% more) | March (6 days sooner) |
| Austin | 2,274,000 | December (4.34% more) | April (8 days sooner) |
| El Paso | 996,000 | September (3.32% more) | June (6 days sooner) |
5 mid-sized cities in Texas
| City name | Population | Best time to list for higher price | Best time to list to sell fast |
| Corpus Christi | 355,000 | May (4.82% more) | May (7 days sooner) |
| Laredo | 340,000 | June (5.29% more) | August (6 days sooner) |
| McKinney | 214,810 | March (3.37% more) | April (8 days sooner) |
| Killeen | 161,612 | April (3.81% more) | May (6 days sooner) |
| Midland | 182,324 | March (6.54% more) | June (5 days sooner) |
5 smaller cities or towns in Texas
| City name | Population | Best time to list for higher price | Best time to list to sell fast |
| Pasadena | 145,165 | March (5.04% more) | April (9 days sooner) |
| Abilene | 130,251 | June (4.41% more) | May (10 days sooner) |
| College Station | 126,665 | July (10.58% more) | March (6 days sooner) |
| Tyler | 111,678 | March (7.41% more) | May (11 days sooner) |
| Conroe | 113,912 | April (2.41% more) | April (9 days sooner) |
All charts based on historical home sales data, 2014-2021
Don’t see your city or town listed? Enter your city into our free online best time to sell calculator.
The difference between the crash [and] the current climate is related to supply and demand. You have a perfect storm with supply shortages impacting new construction, and that has put a stress on the existing home market.
Brent Germany Real Estate AgentClose
Brent Germany Real Estate Agent at Real Broker, LLC5.0
- Years of Experience 23
- Transactions 1051
- Average Price Point $389k
- Single Family Homes 983
3 Texas selling trends
- Sellers trying to cash in before prices drop
In 2024, cautious sellers are increasingly motivated to sell as Texas home prices normalize and align more closely with nationwide trends. Many are looking to capitalize on the current high market values before potential corrections, driven by fears of a market “bubble.” Unlike the 2008 housing crisis, which was fueled by lax lending practices, today’s market dynamics are influenced by supply and demand imbalances. According to Danford, the current “perfect storm” involves significant supply shortages in new construction, which in turn puts pressure on the existing home market.
- Stress on existing inventory
The stress on existing inventory remains a prominent theme across Texas. “The inventory is so slim that we’re overselling homes,” Erwin says. This reflects a broader trend of high demand coupled with low supply throughout the state.
- A rise in cash offers
Another notable trend is the rise in cash offers for homes. “I think a lot of people would be shocked at the amount of cash in the marketplace,” Danford says. This influx of cash offers could stem from individuals who have sold their previous homes and are searching for new ones, as well as a mix of real estate investors and iBuyers contributing to the surge in cash deals.
The list of influencing factors includes seasonal trends that affect the best time to sell a house in Texas:
- There is a retiree rush and subsequent growth of 55+ communities.
- People are scooping up second homes for investments or early retirement pads, especially in warm climates and coastal regions.
- School choice somewhat influences the market. The increased presence of private and charter schools allows people to move where they want with the freedom to send their kids to a school of their choice.
- Across the country, and particularly in California, people who enjoy Texas’ weather, freedom, lower cost of living, and lack of state income tax are moving there in droves. The trend shows that more people are relocating to Texas than leaving.
Connect With a Top Agent to Sell Your Texas Home
It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process. To connect with an agent, simply tell us a little bit about your property (single-family, condo, townhouse, mobile home, commercial, or vacant lot) and how soon you’re looking to sell.
Our data shows the top 5% of agents across the U.S. help clients sell their home for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent.
Insider tips to help sell your Texas home
Regardless of when you choose or need to sell, here are some tips from our expert real estate agents to help you achieve a quick sale or get the best price for your home:
- Outdoor kitchens are all the rage right now. Or, install a patio or add a backyard fire pit, and then be sure to market the home’s outdoor space.
- Even if you don’t currently have a home office, staging a dedicated space or creating an area that can easily be converted into one can significantly enhance your home’s appeal. With remote work and flexible arrangements becoming more common, many buyers are looking for properties with functional workspaces.
- In Texas, outdoor grilling holds a place of high reverence, ranking just below the cherished values of God, guns, and football. A well-designed grilling space in the back yard can be a major draw for potential buyers. Texans take pride in their outdoor living, and having a dedicated area for grilling and entertaining aligns with this lifestyle.
Answers to other Texas home-selling questions
Are homes in Texas appreciating faster or slower than in other states?
Homes in Texas are appreciating at a faster rate compared to many other states, even though it saw a dip in June. The state’s robust economy, job growth, and ongoing influx of new residents contribute to a high demand for housing, driving up property values. While some states are experiencing slower appreciation or even declines due to economic factors or market corrections, Texas continues to see strong price growth, making it one of the more dynamic real estate markets in the country. NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says Austin, Texas, is the real estate market to watch this year, followed closely by DFW and Houston.
Now could be a great time to get a free home valuation with HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. Our no-cost tool uses transaction data from various sources to provide a real-time value estimate based on current market trends..
What if I need a fast sale and closing in Texas?
If you’re facing a life change that requires a fast home sale or don’t have the time or money to make needed repairs, consider requesting an all-cash offer using HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. Simple Sale provides cash offers for homes in almost any condition in Texas and across the nation. You can skip the repairs and showings and close in as few as 10 days. Complete a short questionnaire and receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours.
What is the biggest mistake sellers make when selling a home in Texas?
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make when selling a home in Texas is not selecting the right agent. Experience and knowledge matter when selling a home. “There’s a lot of factors that go into selling a house,” Danford says. “Some people choose the highest offer, and the highest offer isn’t always the best offer.”
For example, an unscrupulous buyer may make a high offer and drive away competing buyers. Then, when the house doesn’t sell, that same shady buyer will make a much lower offer hoping that the seller is desperate enough to take the low-ball offer.
HomeLight’s free Agent Match tool can connect you with some of the highest-performing, experienced agents in your market.
Find a top agent in Texas for a successful home sale
Texas is experiencing significant growth, leading to increased demand for housing. This trend can give homesellers an advantageous position if you’re thinking about entering the real estate market.
In summary, here are a few things to consider about the timing of your home sale:
- Housing inventory is low in Texas, and demand is high
- Cash offers are out there for Texas homesellers
- Weather, freedoms, and affordable housing attract a diverse buyer pool to Texas
- Outdoor areas are vitally essential amenities for successfully selling your Texas home
- Sellers may want to take advantage of the strong market conditions in Texas
- Certain listing months can give you a better selling price or a faster sale
- Use HomeLight’s free best time to sell calculator to see your city’s optimal selling times
Now that you know the optimal times to sell your Texas home, you might wonder about the best selling strategy. Our data reveals that the top 5% of real estate agents nationwide sell homes faster and for up to 10% more than average agents.
To help you determine the best time to sell a home in Texas faster and for more money, partner with a top agent in your area using HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform. Our matching service tool analyzes more than 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.
Header Image Source: (Thomas Park / Unsplash)a
- "Texas Quarterly Housing Report," Texas Realtors (2024)
- "Fort Worth’s Population Rise: A Closer Look at Growth Nearing One Million," Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (June 2024)
- "Texas counties lead the U.S. in population growth, Census says," ABC13 (March 2024)
- "Texas Housing Insight," Texas Real Estate Research Center (August 2024)
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.
