Allen Markel, REALTOR® · Texas Premier Realty

Selling Option

Update Your Home Now, Pay at Closing — and Net More

Strategic, agent-managed improvements that lift your sale price. Nothing out of pocket — the cost is paid from your proceeds when the home sells.

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Is this right for you?

The honest fit

Best for

  • Homes that need updates to reach full market value
  • Sellers who'd rather not (or can't) pay for prep upfront

Maybe not if…

  • Your home is already move-in ready — skip the work and just list
  • You need to close in days — a cash option fits better

The process

How it works

  1. 01

    Free walkthrough — we pinpoint the high-ROI updates only (not everything, just what pays back).

  2. 02

    Vetted vendors do the work, fully managed for you.

  3. 03

    We market and sell; the renovation cost is repaid at closing from your proceeds.

The trade

What you get — and what to weigh

What you get

  • No upfront cost
  • Only improvements the numbers justify
  • Net more than selling as-is
  • The whole project managed for you

The trade-offs (straight talk)

  • Deferred, not free — repaid from proceeds at closing
  • There's a program window
  • Only makes sense when the ROI math is clearly positive — which we show you first

No renovation is scheduled until the projected net after updates beats the as-is net, in writing. When it doesn't, we say so and list the home as it stands.

Homes sold
175+Homes sold
In closed sales
$54M+In closed sales
Texas markets served
2Texas markets served
Counties served today
6Counties served today

Career totals across two Texas markets — DFW, then Greater Houston.

We model the after-update value against live comps before you spend a single dollar.

Questions, answered

Frequently asked questions

The renovation cost is repaid from your sale proceeds — and if the home doesn't sell on the open market, a guaranteed market-value cash offer can close it, so you're protected.

Get a no-cost renovation-ROI walkthrough

Tell me about your homeI'll show you which updates pay back before you spend anything.

Call (832) 709-2540

Not sure this is the right path? Let's figure it out together.

A quick, no-pressure conversation is all it takes.

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Allen Markel, REALTOR® · Texas Premier Realty · TREC #0658294

Questions about Renovate And Sell

Selling a Home

  • What happens to the renovation agreement if my home sits on the market too long?

    A renovation agreement is part of your contract with a specific buyer and ends when that contract ends. If your home sits unsold and you relist, you negotiate a fresh agreement with the next buyer. The repairs you promised one buyer do not carry to the next offer. Each contract starts with its own terms, and you owe nothing if no offer is active.

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  • What is the catch with programs that front renovation costs until closing?

    Programs that front renovation costs until closing typically require you to repay them from sale proceeds at closing, which reduces your net proceeds. The catch: the lender or program operator controls the scope and contractor, you may pay interest or fees, the work must appraise correctly, and if the sale falls through the debt remains yours. These programs are a financing tool, not free money.

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  • What renovations actually raise my sale price enough to justify the deferred cost?

    Renovation ROI depends on what you fix, your home's condition, and the local market. Kitchen and bathroom updates, roof repairs, and deferred maintenance typically recover a portion of cost at sale. Cosmetic work often returns less. The real question is whether you need the work to sell at all, or whether you're competing on condition. Talk to us to find the right option for your circumstances.

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  • How do I qualify my home for a presale renovation program in Texas?

    Texas does not have a statewide presale renovation program for homeowners. Some local housing authorities or nonprofits may offer renovation assistance, but eligibility varies by location and program. Contact your county or city housing department to learn what programs exist in your area. A REALTOR can also discuss renovation timing and financing options as part of your selling strategy. The decision to renovate before selling depends on your timeline, budget, and market conditions.

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  • Can I renovate my house before selling without paying anything out of pocket?

    You can finance renovations through a construction loan, home equity line of credit, or cash-out refinance, paying them back from sale proceeds. Some sellers use a bridge loan to renovate before listing. The trade-off: renovation costs reduce your net proceeds, and the market may not return every dollar you spend. Talk to a lender and your REALTOR about whether the improvements will add value in your market.

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  • How do I compare a deferred renovation offer against just selling my house as-is?

    A deferred renovation offer means the buyer accepts the home as-is now but you credit money at closing for repairs they'll do later. Selling as-is means you sell in current condition with no credits. Deferred offers can bring more total money and a faster close, but you give up control of the work and accept the buyer's inspection findings. As-is sales are simpler and attract cash or all-cash buyers. The choice depends on your timeline, how much work the home needs, and whether you want the certainty of a quick sale or the potential of higher proceeds.

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  • I'm curious whether cosmetic updates or structural repairs give better returns under these programs?

    Texas does not have statewide home-improvement rebate or tax-credit programs tied to resale value. Your return on cosmetic versus structural work depends on what buyers in your market need, your home's current condition, your budget, and your timeline. Structural issues are required fixes; cosmetic work may not return its full cost. Talk to us to find the right option for your circumstances.

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The honest fit

  • Who is renovate and sell designed for?

    It is for homes that need updates to reach full market value, and for sellers who would rather not, or cannot, pay for preparation up front. The cost is repaid from your proceeds at closing. If your home is already move-in ready, you can skip the work and just list.

  • When should I skip the renovation and just list?

    When the home is already in good shape, spending on updates may not pay back. The page says plainly that a move-in ready home should skip the work. We tell you that up front if the numbers say so, even if it means no renovation project.

  • What if I need to close in days?

    Renovation takes time, so it does not suit a very short deadline. A cash option fits better when speed is the priority. Talk to us about your deadline and we will compare the paths honestly.

  • Is this only for homes in bad condition?

    No, but it makes the most sense for homes where updates would lift the price enough to beat the as-is result. A home that needs only light work may do fine with a simple prep and a normal listing. The walkthrough tells us which situation you are in.

  • How do I know if my home is a candidate?

    A free walkthrough is how we find out. We look at the home, model the after-update value against live comps, and compare the projected net with the as-is net. If the math does not clearly work, we say so.

How it works

  • What happens in the free walkthrough?

    We walk the home and pinpoint the updates that pay back, and only those, not everything. You get a plain view of what to do, what to skip and why. There is no cost for the walkthrough.

  • How do you decide which updates to recommend?

    We model the after-update value against live comps before you spend a dollar. If an update does not earn its cost back, we skip it. The goal is a projected net that beats the as-is net, written down.

  • Who actually does the work?

    Vetted vendors do the work, and the whole project is managed for you. You are not chasing contractors or juggling schedules. We tell you who is involved and what is scheduled.

  • What does the plan look like in writing?

    The page says no renovation is scheduled until the projected net after updates beats the as-is net, in writing. You see the scope, the cost and the expected result before work starts, so approving it is an informed choice.

  • When do I actually pay for the renovation?

    At closing, from your sale proceeds. Nothing comes out of pocket up front. It is deferred, not free, so the cost reduces what you take home. We show that number clearly.

  • What happens after the renovation is finished?

    We market and sell the home, with the updates reflected in the photos and price. The renovation cost is repaid at closing from your proceeds. From there it follows a normal sale.

  • How are my plans compared with the as-is net?

    We put the projected net after updates next to the as-is net in writing. If the updated version does not come out ahead, the renovation does not happen and we list the home as it stands.

What you get and what to weigh

  • What benefits come with renovate and sell?

    No upfront cost, only improvements the numbers justify, the potential to net more than selling as-is, and a fully managed project. These are benefits only when the math is clearly positive, and we show you that first.

  • What is the catch?

    It is deferred, not free. The cost is repaid from proceeds at closing, so it reduces your take-home. There is also a program window, and it only makes sense when the return clearly beats the cost. We show you every line.

  • What does the program window mean?

    The page says there is a program window, which means the offer is not open forever. Ask us about the timing for your home, and we will explain the specifics. If you are interested, do not wait.

  • Will I always net more by renovating?

    No. That is why the rule is that nothing is scheduled until the projected net beats the as-is net. When it does not, we say so and list the home as it stands. The numbers decide, not a sales pitch.

Cost and timing

  • What does it cost me up front?

    Nothing out of pocket. The cost is paid from your proceeds when the home sells. That makes it deferred, so the full cost still matters to your final number.

  • Will there be interest or fees on the renovation cost?

    Terms vary by program, and we show the full cost in writing before any work starts. Ask about every fee, and compare the total against the as-is net. Details depend on the program and your situation.

  • How long does the renovation take?

    It depends on the scope of the work. A short list of high-return updates is quicker than a large project. We give you a schedule before work begins, and it should fit your timeline.

  • Does the work delay my listing?

    Yes, to some degree, since the home goes on the market after the updates are done. The question is whether the better result is worth that time. We show you both paths so you can compare.

Preparing

  • Do I need to move out during the work?

    That depends on what is being done. Light cosmetic work is easier to live through than major projects. We tell you what to expect before approving the plan.

  • How do I get ready for the walkthrough visit?

    Make a list of what you know about the home and what you have already thought about changing. Have your mortgage details handy if you want a net estimate. We handle the rest.

  • Should I try to renovate on my own instead?

    You can, but most sellers spend money in the wrong places. The advantage here is that every update is tested against live comps first and managed for you. Talk to us about which route fits your budget and your time.

Risks and what could go wrong

  • What if the home does not sell after renovation?

    The cost is repaid from sale proceeds, and the page says a market-value cash offer can close it if the open market does not, so you are protected. Ask us how that would apply to your project.

  • What if the updates do not add as much value as expected?

    That is a risk, and it is why we model against live comps first. Estimates are not promises. We show you the projected net, and you decide whether the projected gain is worth it.

  • What if I change my mind after approving the plan?

    We talk through everything before work begins. After approval, the cost is tied to the work completed. Decide carefully before you approve and ask us anything first.

  • Could renovation costs go over the estimate?

    The page says the cost is shown in writing before work starts and tied to the work completed. Ask us how changes to scope are handled so you know the process before approving.

Getting started

  • How do I request a renovation walkthrough?

    Fill out the short form on the page or call us. We look at the home and give you a plain read on what pays back. It is a no-cost walkthrough.

  • What happens if you tell me not to renovate?

    Then we list the home as it stands and focus on price, preparation and marketing. You learn that before spending anything. A no is a useful answer.

Compared with other options

  • How is renovate and sell different from a traditional sale?

    A traditional sale lists the home mostly as it is, with only light preparation you pay for. Renovate and sell adds managed updates paid at closing. The question is whether the extra net beats the repayment.

  • How does renovate and sell compare with selling as-is for cash?

    A cash as-is sale is faster and skips the work but usually trades some price for speed. Renovate and sell aims at a higher price with more time. We compare the two in dollars.

Special situations

  • Can I use this if my home has a major repair issue?

    It depends on the issue and what a buyer would require. Serious problems may need to be fixed or disclosed regardless. We look at the home and give you an honest read.

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