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Refind Realty Blog:
How to Make Your Dallas Home Stand Out Online
How to Make Your Dallas Home Stand Out Online
By Steven J. Thomas
How to Make Your Dallas Home Stand Out Online
Your buyer finds your home on a phone first. Photos, speed, and a clear message decide if they tap, save, or scroll past. In DFW’s competitive market, you win attention with standout media, pricing that makes sense, and proof that your home is a smart buy.
Direct Answer
To make your Dallas home stand out online, lead with professional media, a mobile-first listing, and value signals buyers trust. Use pro photos and a short walkthrough video, write a scannable description with key features up top, price to the current market, and add incentives that beat nearby new builds. Include clear next steps and neighborhood proof using local data and school info.
Neighborhood Spotlights: Where Families Buy Year-Round
Lake Highlands (Dallas)
Families love the trail access to White Rock Lake, Richardson ISD campuses, and quick DART options to jobs in the urban core. Homes with updated kitchens, good light, and low-maintenance yards perform well online. Add a short video that starts at the curb and ends at the backyard. See local stats and trends in the Neighborhood Reports for stronger buyer confidence.
Frisco
Frisco’s master-planned communities and amenities make move-up buyers search here daily. If you are selling a Frisco home, feature the community pool, parks, and HOA perks in the first three photos. New builds are active nearby, so address value directly in your description. Explore current new construction options to position your listing well .
North Oak Cliff / Kessler Park (Dallas)
Character homes near Bishop Arts attract buyers who value charm plus a short commute. Lead with exterior curb appeal, wood floors, and outdoor living upgrades. Use a 45–60 second vertical walkthrough that highlights the front porch and tree canopy. Add neighborhood context using local reports to increase trust. Get your own Neighborhood Report Here!
[Pro Tip: Use the Home Seller Score to time your listing and benchmark your home against similar properties in your area. Get your score here.
Local Market Trends (Fall 2025)
As of September 2025:
Median Home Price: see the live DFW Market Statistics dashboard for the latest values
Average Days on Market: trending higher than early summer
Inventory: building across most price points
Mortgage Rates: check the current weekly average before you price
Online, quality beats volume. Strong media, a clear price story, and neighborhood proof out-perform long descriptions. “Winning listings feel easy to trust in under 10 seconds,” says Steven J. Thomas. “Lead with the best three photos, a simple headline, and one sentence that shows value.”
Cost Breakdown for Sellers
Staging & Photography: invest in pro photos plus a short video tour; budget for light staging of living, kitchen, primary, and patio
Deep Cleaning: windows, grout, baseboards, and vents before photos; then light weekly touch-ups
Flexible Closing Options: offer rent-back or a short leaseback if you need time; buyers value an easy handoff
Local Competition: address builder incentives in your description; show how your home compares on total monthly payment and upgrades
These steps raise click-through, save rate, and showing requests, which supports a stronger final price.
Builder & Community Insights: Know the Competition
New construction across DFW suburbs draws buyers with warranties and incentives. Builders often advertise rate buydowns, design center credits, and closing cost coverage. To compete, show total value. List recent system upgrades, utility costs, and smart-home features, and consider a pre-inspection summary. If you are buying new after you sell, review available rebates to stretch your budget [see new construction rebate options: ].
Financing & Incentives That Attract Buyers
A small seller credit can beat a price cut if it lowers a buyer’s monthly payment. Offer a closing cost credit or rate buydown estimate in your description and put the math in simple terms. Flexible possession can also help a relocating buyer align dates. If you plan to buy next, get fully underwritten so you can accept the best offer with confidence [start here].
Conclusion
Your online first impression sets the outcome. Lead with pro media, a clear one-line value statement, and a price that matches today’s data. Handle competition from new builds by showing total monthly value and recent upgrades. Then make the next step simple: tour times, financing options, and how to reach you.
Start by checking your Home Seller Score
Explore buyer incentives and new construction rebates
Download the Lone Star Living App to view listings and track nearby activity
Book an appointment today
Selling options we offer: Cash Plus, HomeSwap, and Sell and Stay
Key Takeaways
Pro photos, video, and a mobile-first description win the click
Put the best three photos first and write a one-line value headline
Address new-build competition with monthly payment and upgrade proof
Use small incentives and flexible possession to widen your buyer pool
Make next steps simple: tour times, financing link, and contact info
FAQ: Selling for Top Dollar Online in Dallas
What photos make the biggest impact?
Front elevation, living room, kitchen, primary suite, and patio. Shoot at the same time of day for consistent light.
How long should my listing video be?
Keep it under 60 seconds for social and portals. Start at the curb, end in the backyard.
Should I offer a closing cost credit or cut price?
A small credit that lowers monthly payment often performs better than a cut of the same size.
How do I beat new construction nearby?
Show total monthly value, recent upgrades, and include a pre-inspection summary. Mention nearby parks, schools, and commute times.
What should the first line of my description say?
One sentence that states the big value driver: location, school zone, space, or upgrades.
Where can buyers find homes with school and park info?
Download the Lone Star Living App for listings near schools, parks, and family amenities.
Stay Informed With My Downloadable
Buyer and Seller guides
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
How to Improve Your Credit
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Owned and Operated by Thomas & Thomas Financial Group, LLC
Steven J. Thomas
Steven J. Thomas has been in the financial services industry for the past 19 years and started my career as a Financial Planner for American Express Financial Advisors. I entered into banking with JP Morgan Chase as personal banker in 2003 and was promoted several times up to Small Business Specialist. I earned multiple Million Dollar Club awards and was ranked in the top 5 Small Business Specialist before I branched out in 2005 to start my own Financial Management Company. I ran a successful company before family circumstances lead me to Wachovia Bank in 2008 where I worked as a Senior Financial Specialist. As a Sr. Financial Specialist; I was responsible for the P & L and revenue growth of my banking center. The elimination of my role thru a bank merger lead me to BBVA Compass. I have held various leadership roles at BBVA Compass including Personal Relationship Manager, Branch Retail Executive, Workplace Solutions VP, and his current role as a Retail Manager. As the Regional Workplace Solutions VP, I was responsible for the strategic, tactical, and execution of Partnership Banking relationships, promotion and activity with corporate and non-profit companies in my footprint. I was responsible for the acquisition production for three districts, which includes 51 banking centers and over 300 employees. In May of 2014, I joined the team at Refind Realty and became one of the managing partners in mid-2015.
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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 😁
Bryant Loring
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!
Nicholas Bishop
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!! :-)
Gayle Mason
Ask Us Anything
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you need a Realtor?
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.
Which loan should you choose?
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.
What is the difference between FHA, VA and USDA loans?
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.
What’s a conventional loan? Understanding what it means to be conforming and non-conforming
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.
What kind of rate should you choose?
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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