Buying and Selling a Home in North DFW

Melissa Avara is a McKinney-based Texas real estate broker and the owner of Melissa Avara Realty Group. She helps buyers and sellers in McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, Celina, Plano and the surrounding North DFW suburbs, including first-time buyers, move-up buyers and longtime owners selling for the first time in years. Here is what to know about the market and the Texas process in 2026.

What is the North DFW housing market like in 2026?

North DFW is a balanced market that gives buyers more leverage than in recent years. Collin County's median sale price was $470,000 in August 2026, flat from a year earlier, with a median of 58 days on market and about 4.4 months of inventory.

Homes sold for about 94% of list price on average, so most sellers are negotiating. The five cities move at different speeds. Plano homes sold in a median of 36 days, while Prosper took 90. Pricing and preparation matter more for sellers now, and buyers can ask for repairs, closing-cost help or a rate buydown.

How does buying a home in Texas work?

Get pre-approved, sign a written buyer agreement, tour homes, then make an offer on the state's standard TREC contract. Once accepted, you pay an option fee and earnest money, inspect the home during the option period, finish your loan and appraisal, and close at a title company.

• Buyer agreement first. Since January 1, 2026, Texas law requires a written agreement with your agent before they show you a home. It states the services, the term and how your agent is paid.
• Option fee and earnest money. Both go to the title company within three days of the contract's effective date. The amounts are negotiated.
• Seller's Disclosure Notice. Most resale sellers must give you this form, which covers the home's known condition.
• Title and survey. The title company checks ownership and issues title insurance. Sellers often provide an existing survey with a T-47 affidavit.

The full walkthrough is in the Buyer's Guide and How to buy a home in McKinney.

What is the option period in a Texas home purchase?

The option period is a short window, negotiated in the contract and often 5 to 10 days, when the buyer can cancel for any reason. The buyer pays the seller an option fee for it. Cancel on time and the earnest money comes back, but not the option fee.

Buyers use the option period for inspections and to negotiate repairs. Notice to terminate is due by 5:00 p.m. local time on the last day, so Melissa schedules inspections the first day or two.

How do you sell a home in North DFW for the best price?

Price it right from day one, fix what buyers will flag, and market it hard in the first three weeks. With homes taking about two months to sell, overpriced listings sit and then sell for less. A pre-listing walkthrough and a few targeted repairs usually pay for themselves.

Melissa builds the price from recent sales on your street and in your neighborhood, not from online estimates. She'll tell you which updates are worth doing and which aren't, and then handle showings, offers, repair negotiations and closing. Start with the Seller's Guide, read how to sell a house in McKinney, or get a home valuation.

What are closing costs in Texas?

Texas has no real estate transfer tax, which keeps closing costs lower than in many states. Buyers typically pay lender fees, appraisal, the lender's title policy, prepaid taxes and insurance, and half the escrow fee. Sellers pay loan payoffs, deed preparation, half the escrow fee and any agreed concessions.

Who pays the owner's title policy is negotiable in the contract, and in North Texas resale deals it is often the seller. Title insurance premiums are set by the state, so every Texas title company charges the same premium, though escrow and other fees vary.

Who pays the real estate commission in Texas?

Commission is not set by law and is fully negotiable. Sellers agree on their listing broker's pay in the listing agreement, and buyers agree on their broker's pay in the written buyer agreement. A seller can agree to cover part or all of the buyer's broker compensation at closing.

Melissa explains every option before you sign, in plain language, so there are no surprises at closing.

How does Melissa help buyers and sellers?

Melissa handles the whole transaction. For buyers, that means finding the right home, writing a strong offer and managing inspections and closing. For sellers, it means pricing, preparation, marketing and negotiation. Clients say she goes the extra mile and is reachable when it counts.

Ready to buy or sell? Call or text Melissa at (214) 280-4317 or send her a message. Related: Relocating to North DFW, Downsizing and 55+ moves, Investing in North DFW, and the city guides for McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, Celina and Plano.

Last updated October 2026. Data: NTREIS Monthly MLS Summary, August 2026 (Texas Real Estate Research Center); TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale), form 20-19; Texas Occupations Code 1101.563 (SB 1968); Texas Property Code 5.008; Texas Department of Insurance title FAQs; Texas Constitution art. VIII, sec. 29.