Should I Hire A Real Estate Agent To Sell My Home In North Texas

Are you thinking about selling your house? Perhaps you’re weighing the pros and cons of how to sell and wondering, “Should I hire a real estate agent to sell my home in North Texas, or should I sell to an investor?”

If so, this blog post is for you! (It also applies if you’re in any Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex ZIP code or the surrounding area.)

Selling a house is a big, complex decision, so you’re smart to be thinking through all the steps of the process. Let’s explore the options side by side — and look at what the latest Dallas MSA housing market data tells us about timing, pricing, and selling strategies.

Why This Question Matters Now

The Federal Reserve recently cut interest rates for the first time in nearly a year. Mortgage rates have dipped into the mid-6% range — down from highs above 7% earlier in 2025. While that may sound like good news for sellers, the Dallas–Fort Worth housing market is still navigating major headwinds.

The median sale price in Dallas city was about $428,000 in August 2025, up nearly 9.8% year-over-year.
The average Dallas home value (county-level) sits closer to $306,600, actually down ~4.8% compared to last year.
Homes are spending about 58 days on market, a sharp increase from ~42 days a year ago.
North Texas inventory is climbing — around 5.4 months’ supply, one of the highest levels in decades.
About 35–40% of listings are seeing price reductions, and the average home sells for about 95% of list price.

(Source: Redfin, Zillow, MDRE Group, August 2025 data.)

In short: while values remain strong, it’s taking longer to sell, buyers have more choices, and many sellers aren’t walking away with their full asking price. That’s why the question of agent vs. investor is so relevant right now.

Pros And Cons Of Working With A Real Estate Agent

Hiring a licensed real estate agent is the traditional route. Agents bring professional expertise, local market knowledge, and negotiation skills to the table.

Pros of Using an Agent

✅ Experience: The agent has likely sold many homes in your area and understands pricing strategies.
✅ Negotiation handled for you: You won’t need to haggle directly with buyers or navigate complex contract terms.
✅ Step-by-step guidance: From staging to closing, agents provide structure.
✅ Closer to asking price: If priced right, an agent can help you maximize exposure and potentially get higher offers.

Cons of Using an Agent

❌ Prep work required: You’ll need to repair, clean, and stage your home to attract buyers.
❌ Longer timelines: In today’s North Texas market, it takes an average of two months for a home to sell — longer if overpriced.
❌ Carrying costs: You’ll keep paying mortgage, property taxes, utilities, and insurance while the home is listed.
❌ Commission fees: Expect to pay 5–6% in commissions, which can mean $20,000–$25,000+ on a $400,000 home.
❌ Uncertain outcome: With ~40% of homes seeing price cuts, you may not actually achieve the list price.

The Local Reality for Agents in North Texas

With 5.4 months of inventory in the Dallas MSA, buyers are taking their time. Gone are the days of 2021 bidding wars. Sellers must price competitively and be patient. If you’re not in a rush and want to test the open market, an agent could be a good fit. But expect longer timelines and potential concessions.

Pros And Cons Of Working With An Investor

Selling to an investor — often for cash — is a growing alternative in North Texas, especially as homes take longer to sell.

Pros of Selling to an Investor

✅ Certainty: Investors typically give a firm cash offer with no contingencies.
✅ Speed: Many close in 7–14 days — far faster than the 58-day market average.
✅ No repairs or cleaning: Sell your house as-is, no matter the condition.
✅ No commissions: Investors don’t charge agent fees, saving you 5–6%.
✅ No carrying costs: Because you close quickly, you avoid extra months of mortgage, taxes, and insurance.

Cons of Selling to an Investor

❌ Lower sale price: Investors may pay less than “retail market value.”

But here’s the key: with nearly half of homes in Dallas seeing price reductions and average sale prices settling at 95% of list, many sellers already end up taking less than they hoped for. When you factor in months of carrying costs and commissions, the net difference between an agent sale and an investor offer may be smaller than it appears.

Which Option Is Better for You?

For many property owners, the decision comes down to a few simple questions:

How soon do you want to sell?
- If you’re flexible and want to try for top dollar, an agent might make sense.
- If you need certainty and speed, an investor may be better.
Are you prepared to gamble?
- With an agent, you might get market price — but you might also face price cuts, delays, and fees.
- With an investor, you know exactly what you’ll get, upfront.
Can you handle the carrying costs?
- At current timelines, waiting two extra months to sell can cost thousands in mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, and insurance.

The North Texas Market Context

Here’s how this plays out given current stats:

With 58 days on market, an average seller in Dallas is paying two extra months of holding costs. For a $400,000 home with $2,000/month mortgage, $500/month taxes, and $250/month insurance/utilities, that’s an extra $5,500 out of pocket.
Add in a 6% commission ($24,000 on a $400,000 home), and even if you get close to list price, you’re out nearly $30,000 in transaction costs.
By contrast, an investor might offer you $370,000 cash today, close in two weeks, and you walk away without additional costs or delays.

For homeowners who need to sell quickly — relocation, inheritance, foreclosure avoidance, or just simplifying life — that certainty is worth it.

What About Investors and Agents Themselves?

This decision isn’t just important for homeowners — it also shapes opportunities for North Texas real estate investors and agents.

Investors: The rising inventory (5.4 months’ supply) and longer days on market mean motivated sellers are increasing. Investors who can provide speed and certainty may find more deals in the coming months.
Agents: There’s still opportunity, but the game has changed. With buyers cautious and sellers needing to cut prices, agents must be skilled at setting realistic expectations and marketing creatively.

Final Thoughts: Agent or Investor?

Both paths have advantages. In today’s North Texas housing market:

Agents are best for sellers who have time, are willing to invest in repairs, and want to try for maximum price.
Investors are ideal for sellers who value speed, certainty, and simplicity, even if it means taking slightly less than “market value.”

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your goals and situation.

Ready To Sell Soon?

If you’re thinking of selling your house in North Texas and want to see your options, we can help.

We may be able to make you a cash offer right away and close in as little as a week.
Or, if you’d prefer to work with an agent, we can connect you to trusted local real estate professionals in Dallas–Fort Worth.

👉 Just call us at fill out our quick form below. We’ll get back to you right away with your best options — so you can sell on your terms.