Updated October 2026. Houston values are from the Zillow Home Value Index for September 2026. Texas title rules were read on the Texas Department of Insurance site on October 22, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
You have 7 main ways to sell a house in Houston: a full-service agent, a flat fee MLS listing on HAR’s Houston MLS, a private sale by owner, a cash buyer, an online instant offer, an auction, or a short sale or lease option if you’re in a tight spot. On the metro’s typical value of $302,800 (Zillow, September 2026), each 1% of commission is $3,028.
Jump to: 🪜 Your options · 💲 Side by side · 🏠 Selling privately · 🤝 Closing in Texas · ⏱️ Which to pick · ❓ FAQ
Key takeaways
- Houston’s typical home value was $259,500 for the city and $302,800 for the metro in September 2026, both down about 2% in a year (Zillow).
- Listing on the Houston MLS (HAR) reaches buyer agents across the area. A flat fee listing does that without a percentage fee.
- Cash buyers and instant offers trade price for speed. Compare what you’d net.
- In Texas, every title company charges the same title premium, set by the state. Escrow and closing fees are what you can shop.
What are your options for selling a house in Houston?
1. List with a full-service real estate agent
The agent prices, markets and shows your home, and negotiates for you. You pay a percentage at closing. It’s the most hands-off path and the most expensive. On a $302,800 home, an example 2.5% listing fee is $7,570.
2. List on the Houston MLS with a flat fee broker
A flat fee broker puts your home on HAR’s Houston MLS for a set price. Your listing then reaches buyer agents and the big home search sites. You handle showings and offers. Beycome does this from $99, with $0 due to Beycome at closing. Our guide to listing your Houston home on the MLS by owner walks through it.
3. Sell it yourself, privately
A private sale means no agent and no MLS: a yard sign, social posts and word of mouth. It costs the least but reaches the fewest buyers. Many Houston searchers look for “private sale” because they already have a buyer, like a tenant, neighbor or relative. If that’s you, you still need a solid contract and a title company. See our guide to drafting a FSBO contract in Texas.
4. Sell to a cash home buyer
Local investors buy as-is, often fast. Search for cash home buyers in Houston and you’ll find many. They usually offer below market value, since they plan to fix and resell. Get two or three offers in writing and compare them with what the open market would pay. Our guide on selling a home for cash shows how to run that math.
5. Take an online instant offer
Companies like Opendoor and Offerpad make offers online and charge a service fee. It’s fast and simple. You give up some price for that speed. Ask for the full fee list and the net you’d walk away with.
6. Sell at auction
An auction sets a date and lets bidders compete. It can work for unique or distressed homes. Read the terms closely: reserve price, buyer’s premium and who pays which fees. Our guide on buying a house on Auction.com shows the buyer’s side.
7. Short sale or lease option
If you owe more than the home is worth, a short sale may help. The CFPB describes it as selling your home for less than you owe, with your lender’s OK. It notes that in some states the lender could sue for the gap, so ask your lender to waive it in writing.
A lease option, or rent-to-own, lets a tenant rent now and buy later at a set price. It brings rent in while you wait, but the sale isn’t certain. Have a Texas real estate attorney draft it.
How do the Houston selling options compare?
| Option | Typical cost | Speed | Price you get | Your work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service agent | A percentage at closing | Market pace | Market | Low |
| Flat fee MLS | Flat fee upfront | Market pace | Market | Medium |
| Private sale, no MLS | Lowest | Varies | Depends on buyers found | High |
| Cash buyer | Built into a lower offer | Fast | Below market | Low |
| Instant offer | Service fee | Fast | Below market | Low |
| Auction | Auction fees | Set date | Uncertain | Low |
| Short sale | Lender-approved costs | Slow | Below what you owe | High |
Percentages mentioned here are examples. Commissions are not set by law or NAR rules, and they’re negotiable. Sellers choose whether to offer any buyer-agent compensation, and how much. Since August 17, 2024, those offers can’t be shown on the MLS.
How do you sell a house privately in Houston and still reach buyers?
The best of both is a flat fee MLS listing: you sell it yourself, but buyer agents see it. With Beycome, a complete, correct file goes live within 2 business days, about 2 hours on average.
Every Beycome package includes:
- Your home on the Houston MLS (HAR) with the maximum photos the MLS allows.
- A listing term up to the maximum the state and MLS allow (see ** below).
- E-signature and unlimited listing updates at no charge.
- ShowingTime scheduling, where the MLS offers it.
- The Artur AI assistant to help you review offers and negotiate.
- No cancellation fee (see * below).
Basic is $99 and Enhanced is $399. Concierge lists at $1,399 and is offered at $999 for a limited time. With Concierge, our experts handle the sale with you, a person negotiates your offers, and you stay in control of every decision. About 36% of Beycome sales closed so far in 2026 had a buyer with no agent (Beycome internal data, 2026).
Beycome doesn’t set, collect or pay buyer-agent compensation. If you choose to offer it, you agree on it directly with the buyer’s agent. See our flat fee MLS packages.
Sell smarter
List your home on the MLS for $99
No listing agent, no 3% commission. Beycome handles your MLS listing so you keep more of what your home is worth.
Sell your home →Buy smarter
Get up to 2% back at closing
Buy any home with a Beycome agent and receive a rebate of up to 2% of the purchase price — paid to you at closing.
Buy a home →How does closing work when you sell in Houston?
In Texas, a title company usually handles escrow and the closing. The Texas Department of Insurance says every title company must charge the same premium for a title policy, at a rate the state sets. The buyer and seller can negotiate who pays it. What you can shop is the escrow fee and other closing charges, which differ by company.
Beycome Title closes Texas sales with a flat $299 settlement fee. Title insurance is charged at the state-set rate, and recording fees and other costs are extra.
For the full list of seller costs, read who pays closing costs when selling a home.
Which way to sell is best for you?
- Need cash in days and the home needs work? Get cash offers, then compare with a listing.
- Want top price and can handle showings? List on the MLS with a flat fee.
- Already have a buyer? Do a private sale with a solid contract and a title company.
- Owe more than it’s worth? Talk to your lender about a short sale.
- Want help but not a percentage fee? Look at a full-service flat fee like Concierge.
Prices in Houston dipped about 2% over the past year, per Zillow. Price from recent sales near you, not last year’s numbers. Our guide on selling a Houston home without a realtor goes step by step.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to sell my house in Houston?
It depends on your time and the home’s condition. For the best price, list on the Houston MLS. For speed, compare cash offers. A flat fee MLS listing gets market exposure without a percentage fee.
Can I sell my house privately in Houston?
Yes. Texas lets owners sell without an agent. Use a written contract and a title company to close.
How much does it cost to sell a house in Houston?
It depends on how you sell. Expect any listing fee, title and escrow charges, prorated property taxes, and any buyer-agent pay you agree to. Beycome’s MLS listing starts at $99.
Can I put my Houston home on HAR without an agent?
Yes, through a flat fee broker who is an MLS member. Beycome lists on the Houston MLS (HAR).
Are title insurance rates the same at every Texas title company?
Yes. The Texas Department of Insurance sets the premium rate. Escrow and closing fees differ, so compare those.
Is selling to a cash buyer in Houston a good idea?
It can be if speed matters most. Cash buyers usually pay below market. Get several written offers and compare your net with a listing.
Home values are Zillow Home Value Index figures for September 2026. Title rules are from the Texas Department of Insurance title FAQ, read October 22, 2026.
Beycome prices are as of October 2026. “$0 at closing” means no Beycome fee at closing; other closing costs, taxes, title fees and any buyer-agent compensation the seller agrees to still apply. Beycome Title operates in Florida and Texas today, and Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana starting November 1, 2026; Texas settlement fee $299, title premiums and other costs extra.
* No cancellation fee (Georgia MLS charges a mandatory $25). Listings under contract can’t be canceled. No refund once the listing is live.
** Listing term: the maximum the state and MLS allow (24 months; 12 in MD and PA).
Commission percentages are examples. Commissions are not set by law or NAR rules and are negotiable. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sources
- Zillow Research, Home Value Index, September 2026.
- Texas Department of Insurance, Title insurance FAQs, read October 22, 2026.
- CFPB, What is a short sale?, read October 22, 2026.
- NAR, What the NAR settlement means for buyers and sellers, read October 22, 2026.
- Beycome Title, closing fees, October 2026.
- Beycome, listing package features, October 2026.
Disclosure & Disclaimer
Beycome provides real estate services through affiliated licensed brokerages and has a commercial interest in the services and business models discussed on this blog. Content reflects Beycome’s perspective and may promote our services; it should not be treated as independent or neutral reporting.
Articles are provided for general informational and educational purposes only, not as financial, tax, legal, or investment advice or a recommendation for your particular situation. Reading this blog does not create a brokerage, advisory, or other professional relationship.
Information, opinions, pricing, service descriptions, and comparisons reflect the sources and information available when an article was published or last updated and may change. Although we aim for accuracy, we do not guarantee that all content is complete, current, or applicable to your circumstances. Laws, market conditions, and service availability vary by location. Examples and estimated savings are illustrative, depend on stated assumptions, and do not guarantee individual results.
Verify relevant information directly and consult qualified professionals before making decisions. Beycome services are subject to applicable agreements, eligibility requirements, and state-specific terms.
