Source content updated: September 11, 2026. General education, not individual legal, tax, lending, or insurance advice. Check the dates and status notes before making a decision.
01
Set your goals and prepare a realistic timeline
Begin with your reason for selling, mortgage payoff, desired move, replacement housing, and the earliest and latest workable closing dates. Occupancy, tenant arrangements, repairs, documents, and moving logistics can affect the plan. Define your priorities before choosing a launch date.
Prepare title and HOA information, repair records, warranties, and known property conditions. Separate safety and functional repairs from cosmetic improvements. Choose work that addresses real buyer concerns, and compare its cost with expected benefits rather than assuming every renovation is recovered at sale.
02
Price using comparable sales and current competition
Compare recent transactions with similar location, property type, size, age, condition, and terms. Active and pending homes describe the alternatives buyers may choose. New-home incentives, nearby inventory, and marketing time can affect competition even when a headline says the broader market is improving.
A comparative market analysis estimates a selling range; it is not a formal appraisal by a licensed appraiser. Set review points after listing and consider showings, feedback, inquiries, and new market evidence together. An asking price or an automated estimate does not prove the price a buyer will pay.
03
Use applicable current disclosures and forms
The Chinese guide’s September 11, 2026 source check identifies TREC Seller’s Disclosure Notice Form 55-1, effective May 28, 2026. Updates address insurance and windstorm coverage, inability to insure, private-road maintenance, certain large aboveground storage tanks, and conservation easements. Actual disclosure obligations depend on the property and transaction.
TREC Water Notice Form 61-0, addressing groundwater and surface-water rights, took effect July 1, 2026. The current resale contract identified in that check is Form 20-19, also effective July 1. Do not automatically reuse an old downloaded form. Confirm the applicable versions and additional notices with current official information and appropriate professional advice.
04
Compare complete offers and follow the contract
Compare price, financing, proof of funds, earnest money, investigation periods, appraisal risks, seller credits, repairs, closing dates, and possession. The highest price may come with conditions or risks that produce a less attractive outcome. Compensation and concessions are negotiated under the actual agreements, not a mandatory uniform rate.
After signing, track all relevant inspection, financing, title, survey, repair, and closing requirements. Keep written records and seek legal advice when interpreting rights or special terms. A buyer’s inspection request is a negotiation, not automatic proof that every requested repair is your obligation.
05
Estimate net proceeds and complete the handoff
Start with expected sale proceeds, then account for mortgage payoff, contractual compensation, title and closing charges, tax prorations, HOA items, credits, repairs, and holding expenses. Test lower, middle, and higher scenarios rather than relying on one optimistic result. Ask a tax professional about your personal tax treatment.
Confirm final walk-through, required documents, verified wire instructions, utilities, possession, keys, and agreed post-closing obligations. Coordinate the move with the signed contract rather than a verbal assumption. Keep closing statements and supporting improvement records for future accounting and tax questions.
Your checklist
- Selling objectives and replacement housing
- Repair, warranty, title, and HOA records
- Relevant comparables and launch strategy
- Current applicable disclosures
- Complete offer comparison and deadlines
- Net proceeds, possession, and closing handoff
Frequently asked questions
Can I reuse an old seller disclosure?
Confirm the current applicable version. The source guide identifies Form 55-1 effective May 28, 2026, and other 2026 form updates.
Is the highest offer always best?
Compare financing, conditions, credits, timing, and risk as well as price.
Is a CMA an appraisal?
No. It is an estimated pricing analysis, not a formal appraisal.
Official sources
- TREC: current contracts and forms
- TREC: rules, laws, and form updates
- TREC: One to Four Family Residential Contract
Follow the linked official source for current rules and property-specific confirmation.
Continue planning
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