Who doesn't love Dallas? Great food, burgeoning art and music scenes, a robust job market, and highly-ranked schools — it’s got everything. Still, rising prices and a growing population can make it harder to get by every year.

If continuing to live in Dallas means falling into debt, it could be time to make a change. Unfortunately, finding a new home often depends on selling your Dallas home. Even though Dallas is one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, real estate is a fairly slow process. And everything has to be coordinated perfectly to get you into a new home you love. 

We spoke to Cortney Bailey of Douglas Elliman Real Estate to get the inside scoop. Bailey shared some of her best tips on how to sell a home quickly. Bailey is a Texas native who has been in real estate for 15 years. She got her start during the 2008 crash, which has given her exceptional insights into how to move quickly when circumstances are tough. 

Tip 1: Work with a seasoned real estate agent

Some people do represent themselves when selling their house. But it’s not generally a great idea if you’re trying to sell your house fast.

"This is not a situation where you want to hire your cousin who just got their real estate license," Bailey says. "If they are not experienced, not used to moving fast, negotiating fast, it might not work out in your favor."

She says to interview a few agents and learn about their processes. On Redy.com, we make it easy to compare real estate agents side by side to see which ones have the experience and approach you need. 

Tip 2: Hire a professional photographer and videographer

"I think everyone should stay in their own lane," Bailey says. She goes on to explain that she has spent years developing skill marketing homes, and she respects the experience of seasoned real estate photographers because that is what they specialize in.

"Also, you have to have video," she says. "It doesn't matter if it's a $200,000 condo or a $12 million home. Nowadays, everyone wants to basically fly through a home and the property with video so they can feel like they're experiencing the home before they ever set foot in it." 

Bailey says drone video is a great tool for homes surrounded by a large or distinctive property. "At a lake house I'm representing now, we were able to use drones to capture the two acres, plus that gorgeous lake view at sunset. Photos alone just can't capture all of that."

Making a video also allows you the chance to give buyers from out of town a virtual tour of the home. This can give them an incentive to travel to Dallas to take a look at your home in person — or, believe it or not, make a purchase sight unseen.

Tip 3: Decide how much you need to make from the sale

Before listing, consider how much you need to make from the sale. Calculate your bottom line and desired profit. Factor in closing costs and agent commissions. This can give you a baseline and help you decide how to price realistically for a quick sale.

"Sit down with your agent and study the comps in your neighborhood," Bailey says. "Understand why some houses may be sold for more or less. Then, at that point, you can know how to price your home to sell fast."

She warns especially against overpricing. Asking too much can deter buyers and prevent your home from languishing. If you do find that your home is not priced to sell quickly, be open to taking less. 

According to the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University, the average price for a home in Texas was $340,000 in 2024. Prices for individual homes, of course, vary. Talk to your real estate agent about what is realistic in your neighborhood.

Tip 4: Use social media and online platforms

Virtually all searches for a new home start on the internet. Ensure your home is visible on the platforms for home buyers to check. Good pictures and videos should be posted not just to the MLS and real estate sites but to social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. 

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recommends the "stories" feature on Instagram and Facebook because it allows you to feature a specific video for 24 hours, which means buyers check often. 

Tip 5: Be flexible with showings

House showings can make some people emotional. "I always like to make sure my clients understand people will be walking through your personal home. But, people have to walk through your home to be able to purchase it."

Bailey recommends being available for showings whenever possible to get your home in front of as many buyers as possible. 

Tip 6: Offer buyer incentives

The number of homes on the market in the Dallas/Fort Worth area increased 4% between March and April of 2024. While this means more competition, there is a lot you can do to distinguish your home from others.

Buyer incentives are one way to sweeten the pot and generate interest. Offering to assist with closing costs or cover them altogether is one option. You can also offer a home warranty or let the buyer keep appliances to generate interest.

Redy knows all about the power of rewards. This is the only platform that allows you, the seller, to get offers from real estate agents who will pay you to allow them to represent your home. 

Tip 7: Utilize professional staging services

Bailey also emphasizes the value of good, professional staging.

Great staging starts with curb appeal. "When the agent and their client pull up to the house, you want them to go, 'This is so pretty.' Go to the garden center and pick up some vibrant flowers. Give the hedges and your grass a good trim because these create the first impression someone has of your home. If the front isn't pristine, people wonder what else is wrong with the house."

Inside, depersonalize and remove clutter. If you repaint, choose neutral colors. Bailey draws on a background in design to help clients make the most of the room using furniture and accessories they already have. She says that sometimes, just moving a couch from against a wall and placing a rug at a different angle makes a big difference. Then, put personal stuff like family photos and your kids' trophies in boxes. "You're planning on moving anyway."

The home must be spotlessly clean and with enough items removed to make it look spacious and welcoming. 

"You want people to visualize and think, my stuff would look good here."

Tip 8: Host open houses and private showings

Bailey recommends starting strong with a huge open house the first weekend your home is on the market. It allows everyone to walk through the home and get a good look at it. 

"If the house is priced correctly and you are in a good neighborhood, you will probably have a high-traffic open house. This creates buzz among buyers because everyone wants something they can't have. If there are a lot of people in an open house, buyers are more than likely going to go ahead, get at the front of the line, and submit their offer."

Tip 9: Respond promptly to offers

It just makes sense: if you are trying to sell quickly, you must respond to offers immediately. While some people recommend waiting to see if they get competing offers, you can lose out on buyers who move on to the next house if you don't respond soon enough.

You don't have to take a buyer's first offer, though. You can respond with a counteroffer or negotiate other aspects of the deal. For instance, you can offer to cover closing costs or pay for updates like a new roof or HVAC system. 

Tip 10: Offer a pre-inspection report

Conducting a pre-inspection allows you to identify potential issues before going on the market. This way, you can address any minor issues before you list them. A pre-inspection report also allows you to provide transparency for your potential buyers. They can see, in detail, the home's condition before hiring a home inspector. 

This serves two purposes: first, it can filter out buyers who might back out based on findings they don't like that may come up during a home inspection, so you save time on someone who may opt not to buy the home. Second, it gives buyers peace of mind and makes them feel more comfortable making an offer. According to HomeAdvisor, a pre-inspection costs between $300 and $425.

Tip 11: Talk to your real estate agent about cash home buyers

If you're in a pinch and need to sell fast, it can be tempting to call a company offering cash for houses. But, you are unlikely to get anywhere near what the home is worth. Instead, talk to your real estate agent to find out how quickly they think they can sell your home and for how much. 

Once you've handled some basic cleaning and packing, your agent can arrange for professional help to stage and photograph your home. Your hands-on role is limited to accepting the offer and signing the documents at closing. 

Summing up: Let’s get that house sold

The sooner your house sells, the sooner you can move to a more affordable area and begin cutting costs. Doing the right things before and during your sale can speed up the process while getting you a fair price for your home.

Ready for a cash infusion? Redy.com is the only platform that allows real estate agents to offer you a cash reward for representing your home. Enter your home address to get personalized proposals today. 

Lara Manetta is a freelance writer based in Florida. She's written extensively about local and national real estate, including a book for doctors interested in real estate investing. When she's not writing, you can find her kayaking, reading, or sailing.