Selling and buying without an agent in Texas

Who runs your closing

Texas closes through title companies. The title company acts as the neutral party that searches title, issues title insurance, prepares the settlement statement, collects and disburses the money, and records the deed. A real estate attorney is not required for a standard residential sale, though you are always free to use one.

What you must disclose

State law requires a seller to give the buyer a written Seller’s Disclosure Notice about the condition of the property. The Texas Real Estate Commission publishes a standard form, and it asks about the roof, foundation, systems, prior repairs, flooding and insurance claims, and known defects. Complete it honestly from your own knowledge. It is a disclosure of what you know, not a warranty, but leaving off a known problem is how sellers get into trouble after closing.

Transfer taxes

Texas is one of the few states with no real estate transfer tax at the state or local level. That removes a line item that can run into the thousands elsewhere, which makes the math on selling without an agent here especially favorable. You will still pay recording fees and title and escrow charges.

The bottom line for doing it yourself

Between title-company closings and no transfer tax, Texas is a friendly state for a for-sale-by-owner sale or an unrepresented purchase. Your core work is pricing, the required disclosure notice, and the standard contract, which the state commission also publishes.