Preparing to Sell Your Home in 2026: Why Starting Now Matters

If you're thinking about selling your home in 2026, the best time to start preparing isn't next year. It's right now.

The spring market has always been the busiest time for buyers, and while demand is expected to rise again as the weather warms, today's market looks different than it did even a few years ago. Starting early could be the difference between a smooth sale and a stressful one, especially given the current state of the DFW housing market.

Why timing matters more than you think

The typical homeowner expects it will take about 10 months from the decision to sell until closing. Baby boomers are a bit more optimistic, estimating closer to six months.

Either way, that timeline means homeowners hoping to sell in the spring of 2026 need to start preparing now, particularly considering the evolving Texas housing market.

Nationally, the number of homes for sale has climbed back to pre-pandemic levels. In some regions, like the South and West, inventory is now higher than before 2020, while the Midwest and Northeast are still running at a deficit.

For sellers in the Dallas metro area, market conditions are heavily favoring buyers. Here's why:

1. Dallas-Fort Worth currently has 5.3 months of inventory, the highest since 2003!

2. 33% of home sales involve price cuts.

3. Homes in DFW average 61 days on market.

As a buyer, all of these signs point to a position of strong negotiating power and being able to take your time finding the right home. This will change as rates continue to drop and buyers step off of the sideline. If you've been thinking about selling, it might be best to hold off, depending on your goals and the current DFW home prices.

Starting early pays off

A recent survey found that sellers who brought an agent into the process sooner reported clear benefits:

• 36.1% said their agent gave them better access to market information.

• 37.1% said their agent provided more insight, helped set realistic pricing, and streamlined the process.

That's a big deal when you consider how much the market has changed. Home prices nationwide have tripled since 2000, rising from $145,000 to $435,300 in 2025. Median household incomes, meanwhile, haven't kept pace, climbing from $42,000 to just under $80,000.

Affordability challenges mean buyers are more selective today than they were during the frenzy of 2021. This selectivity is reflected in various housing market predictions and market heat indices across different regions.

For the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the average home value is now $363,000, and even with the recent drop below 6.3%, buyers here are balancing those prices against higher mortgage rates. Sellers who prepare early have the advantage of pricing strategically and making the right updates before hitting the market.

What to do now

Getting your home ready for 2026 isn't about overhauling everything at once. It's about creating a clear plan. Here are the steps I recommend:

1. Interview multiple agents: Don't just go with the first one you meet. Every agent has a different approach, and finding the right fit is critical. Look for an agent who can provide a comprehensive comparative market analysis.

2. Assess your home's value and equity position: Longtime homeowners are often surprised at how much equity they've built. If you bought your home before 2005, your value may have nearly doubled. Consider getting a price cohort analysis to understand where your home fits in the current market.

3. Identify needed updates or repairs: Even small improvements like fresh paint or landscaping can make a difference. Consider enhancing outdoor living spaces, as these have become increasingly important to buyers.

4. Plan your listing timeline: Work backward from your target sale date in spring 2026 to figure out when to list, when to complete repairs, and when to finalize your marketing strategy. This timeline should also account for potential changes in home insurance costs.

If you want to take advantage of peak buyer demand next spring, now is the time to begin. By preparing early, you give yourself the flexibility to make improvements, choose the right agent, and position your home to sell competitively, potentially even above asking price.

The market may look different than when you bought your home, but that can work in your favor. Starting now ensures you'll be ready when buyers come out in force, regardless of how the Dallas home prices or the broader DFW housing market may shift in the coming months.

Sources: Realtor.com, Mortgage News Daily