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Refind Realty Blog:
By Steven J. Thomas
Introduction
You’re ready to sell your Dallas home and want to hold onto as much equity as possible. That extra profit matters. This guide walks you through practical steps, local trends, and clear choices so you can make smart decisions that put more money in your pocket.
Neighborhood Spotlights: Where Equity Grows Fast
Uptown and Oak Lawn remain hot spots thanks to walkability and demand from young professionals. Homes in these areas saw average resale increases of 7–10% in 2024 compared to the broader Dallas market.
Family-friendly Lakewood draws buyers who value charm and schools. Renovations there tend to recoup more—some sellers report 8–12% ROI, especially with modern kitchens or added outdoor living.
Local Market Trends (2024–2025)
Dallas-Fort Worth home values rose about 5.5% year-over-year as of mid-2025—well above the national average of 3.8%. Low mortgage rates and strong migration keep pricing competitive. Tracking the Dallas Morning News or local Realtor® reports can help you time your listing for maximum return.
Cost Breakdown: What Adds Equity
Minor repairs often have the biggest payoff for the least cost. Fixing a leaky faucet or patching drywall costs under $500 and instantly improves a buyer’s impression.
Bigger jobs like full kitchen remodels can run $30k–$50k. In Dallas suburbs, the return on these renovations is often 70–80% of costs at sale.
Landscaping and exterior updates are small investments with big returns. Fresh paint, trimmed hedges, and a clean entryway can add 2–4% to offers.
Professional staging and photography can help homes sell 10–15% faster and for 1–5% more.
Builder and Community Insights
If your home is in a newer community—especially in Frisco or McKinney—highlight builder warranties, energy-efficient features, or neighborhood amenities.
Buyers interested in new builds often start their search here: Dallas-Fort Worth New Construction Homes.
Financing and Incentives
Talk with your lender before you list. Paying down part of your mortgage, or even refinancing if rates are favorable, can increase your net equity without raising your sale price.
If you plan to purchase a new-construction property after you sell, check the new-construction rebate program.
Conclusion
Boosting your home equity comes down to smart updates, strategic timing, and knowing what buyers value in the Dallas market. Small changes can deliver big returns.
When you’re ready to sell, use tools that help you track and optimize equity—Download the Lone Star Living App now so you get the profit you deserve.
You're Always Home With Refind Realty!
FAQs
What repairs give the best equity boost?
Small fixes—especially to kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring—give strong returns.
Should I stage my home even if it’s in a desirable neighborhood?
Yes. Staging creates emotional appeal and encourages competitive bids.
How long does it take to improve equity before selling?
Minor repairs take days or weeks. Larger renovations can take months. Aim for high-traffic seasons like spring and summer.
Will landscaping help in any price range?
Yes. Curb appeal affects first impressions at every price point.
Can paying off your mortgage before selling help?
Yes. Reducing mortgage debt directly increases your equity.
6 Smart Ways to Build Home Equity
7 Insider Secrets To Selling Your Home w/o a Lot of Time or Money
DFW Home Seller Negotiation Secrets
Home Appraisals Guide
Avoiding Pitfalls That Can Derail Your Home's Sale
Ultimate Guide To Buying a Home
A First Time Homebuyers Guide In DFW
Are You Ready To Buy?
25 Insider Secrets To Buying A Home
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I used this realtor and it was a great experience. He was patient and very helpful with our journey. He also helped us find a great lender with little hassle on the process, also got us approved for well above the market of our original home so we were able to get more house with a lower mortgage rate. So to anyone who is interested in buying a home take my advice give Steven a call. It’s worth it 😁
Steve was absolutely amazing! Everything was easy! Very professional in all aspects. Punctual, responsive, and diligent. He goes above and beyond to ensure you get to see as many homes as you’d like no matter the location. Not only was he knowledgeable about home buying, he also has a resourceful network for new home owner needs. I recommend Refind Realty to everyone!
I definitely recommend Steven to assist with your home buying needs. As a first time home buyer the process can be overwhelming, but as my realtor he was knowledgeable & patient while addressing my concerns and assisting me with my new home purchase. Thanks again Steven!! :-)
When buying or selling a home, there are so many options…which can also present a lot of obstacles. Laws change, forms change, and practices change all the time in the real estate industry. Because it’s our job to stay on top of those things, hiring a realtor reduces risk, and can also save you a lot of money in the long run.
When you work with me as your Realtor, you’re getting an expert who knows the area; knows how to skillfully guide your experience as a seller or buyer; can easily spot the difference between a good deal and a great deal. My job is to translate your dream into a real estate reality, and I work hard to earn and keep my business. This also means earning your trust: When you work with me, you’ll be working with a realtor who looks out for your best interests and is invested in your goals.
There are two different types of loans conventional loans and government-backed loans. The main difference is who insures these loans:
1 - Government-backed loans (FHA, VA and USDA):
(a) - Are, unsurprisingly, backed by the government.
(b) - Include FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans.
(c) - Make up less than 40 percent of the home loans generated in the U.S. each year.
2 - Conventional loans
(a) - Are not backed by the government.
(b) - Include conforming and non-conforming loans (such as jumbo loans).
(c) - Make up more than 60 percent of the loans generated in the U.S. each year.
1 - FHA LOANS:
FHA loans, which are insured by the Federal Housing Administration, are typically designed to meet the needs of first-time homebuyers with low or moderate incomes. FHA loans can be approved with a down payment of as little as 3.5 percent and a credit score as low as 580.
FHA loans are often called “helper loans,” because they give a leg up to potential borrowers who may not be able to secure one otherwise. For this reason, FHA loans have maximum lending limits, which are determined based on housing values for the county where the for-sale home is located.
Because the agency is taking on more risk by insuring FHA loans, the borrower is expected to pay mortgage insurance both at the time of closing and on a monthly basis, and the property must be owner-occupied.
2 - VA LOANS:
VA loans are backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and they are guaranteed to qualified veterans and active-duty personnel and their spouses. VA loans can be approved with 100 percent financing, meaning VA borrowers are not required to make a down payment.
Unlike FHA loans, borrowers do not have to pay mortgage insurance on VA loans.
3 - USDA LOANS:
You may also hear about USDA loans, which are backed by the United States Department of Agriculture mortgage program. USDA loans are intended to support homeowners who purchase homes in rural and some suburban areas. USDA loans do not require a down payment and may offer lower interest rates; borrowers may have to pay a small mortgage insurance premium in order to offset the lender’s risk.
Buyers who have a more established credit history and a larger down payment may prefer to apply for a conventional loan. These loans may offer a lower interest rate and only require the home buyer to purchase monthly mortgage insurance while the loan-to-value ratio is above a certain percentage, so a conventional loan borrower can typically save money in the long run.
Conventional loans are divided into two types: Conforming loans and non-conforming loans.
1 - CONFORMING LOANS:
Conforming loans are those that meet (or conform to) predetermined standards set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — two government-sponsored institutions that buy and sell mortgages on the secondary market. By selling the loans to "Fannie and Freddie," lenders can free up their capital and return to issue more mortgages than if they had to personally back every loan that they approve.
The main standard for conforming loans is that the amount borrowed must be under a certain amount; in Alaska, a single-family home loan must be under $647,200 in order to be considered conforming.
Properties with more than one unit have higher limits.
2 - NON-CONFORMING (JUMBO) LOANS:
But what happens if a borrower wants to borrow more than the Freddie- and Fannie-approved loan amount? In this case, they would have to apply for a “jumbo loan,” which is the most common type of non-conforming loan.
Because the lender cannot resell the jumbo loan (or any non-conforming loan) to Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, jumbo loans are considered to be riskier than a conforming loan. To protect against this risk, the bank will typically require a higher down payment; the interest rate on a jumbo loan may also be higher than if the same borrower applied for a conforming loan.
Rate types: Fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgages.
In addition to the loan type you choose, you’ll also have to determine if you want a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). A fixed-rate mortgage has an interest rate that does not change for the life of the loan, so it provides predictable monthly payments of principal and interest.
An adjustable-rate mortgage typically offers an initial introductory period with a low-interest rate. Once this period is over, the interest rate adjusts periodically, based on the market index. The initial interest rate on an ARM can sometimes be locked in for different periods, such as one, three, five, seven, or 10 years. Once the introductory period is over, the interest rate typically readjusts annually.
Office 1229 E. Pleasant Run Ste 224, DeSoto TX 75115
Call :(713) 505-2280
Email: [email protected]
Site: www.stevenjthomas.com
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