Allen Markel, REALTOR® · Texas Premier Realty

Find and Compare Selling Options

You Don't Have to Settle
for One Way to Sell.

Answer 5 quick questions and get a personalized selling strategy in about 60 seconds — no guesswork, no pressure.

5 questions~60 secondsGreater Houston

Tell me a little about your home and your goals. I'll recommend the selling strategy that fits your situation — then you can compare every option for yourself below.

What you'll get

  • Your best-fit way to sell
  • Every option compared side by side
  • A plan tailored to your home — no obligation

Compare Every Path

Find Your Best Way to Sell

Most agents offer one way to sell. I help you choose from several proven strategies — then guide you through the one that fits your life.

"My job isn't just to sell your house. It's to help you make the right decision for your situation."
— Allen Markel, REALTOR® · AI Certified Agent™ 2.0
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.

Most Popular

Trade-In

01

Line up your next home before this one sells.

Best for

Move-up buyers who need timing control.

  • Buy your next home before selling this one
  • Avoid double moves & temporary housing
  • Make stronger, non-contingent offers
  • Coordinate both timelines on your terms
Learn more

Quick Cash Offer

02

A fast, certain cash sale for when speed matters most.

Best for

Speed and certainty.

  • Close in as little as 7–14 days
  • No showings, staging, or repairs
  • Certainty — no financing fall-through
  • Sell exactly as-is
Learn more

Market Value Cash Offer

03

A competitive cash offer closer to full value — no prep, no showings.

Best for

Cash convenience near market price.

  • Competitive cash offer closer to full value
  • Skip prep, showings & open houses
  • Flexible closing timeline
  • Convenience of cash with stronger pricing
Learn more

Traditional Sale

04

List on the open market for top dollar, fully agent-guided.

Best for

Max price with time to list.

  • Maximum market exposure to qualified buyers
  • Professional pricing, staging & marketing strategy
  • Full agent guidance from list to close
  • Room for competing offers to push price up
Learn more

Renovate & Sell

05

Improve now, pay at closing — net more with nothing upfront.

Best for

Max price without cash for repairs.

  • Strategic improvements that lift your sale price
  • No upfront cost — pay at closing
  • Vetted vendors manage the work
  • Net more than selling as-is
Learn more

Sell & Stay

06

Sell now and lease it back while you find your next home.

Best for

Needing more time to move.

  • Sell now, lease it back after closing
  • More time to find your next home
  • Avoid rushed decisions & double moves
  • Unlock your equity sooner
Learn more

Seller Financing

07

Carry the note yourself — monthly income at above-bank interest.

Best for

Owned free and clear, want income not a lump sum.

  • Monthly income at 1–3 points over conventional rates
  • A substantial down payment in cash at closing
  • The home itself as collateral, papered by an attorney
  • Zero landlord duties — the buyer owns repairs and taxes
Learn more

Short Sale

08

Owe more than it's worth? A way out that isn't foreclosure.

Best for

Owe more than the home is worth.

  • A way out that is far gentler on your credit than foreclosure
  • Usually nothing out of pocket — the lender typically covers costs
  • I handle the lender negotiation and the paperwork
  • A shorter wait before you can buy again than foreclosure allows
Learn more

Quick comparison

Draft values to help you weigh your options — scroll sideways on smaller screens.

Strong on this factor Middle of the road Trade-off to weigh
Comparison of eight selling options across six factors
FactorTrade-InQuick Cash OfferMarket Value Cash OfferTraditional SaleRenovate & SellSell & StaySeller FinancingShort Sale
Speed to CloseFastFastest(7–14 days)FastModerate(30–45 days)ModerateFastModerateSlow(lender approval)
Price PotentialMarketBelow marketNear marketHighestHighestMarketHighest(over time)Below market(no proceeds)
Upfront CostNoneNoneNoneLow(prep)None(pay at closing)NoneLow(attorney & setup)None(lender pays)
Buy Before You SellYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Stay After ClosingNoNoNoNoNoYes(lease-back)NoNo
Effort RequiredLowLowestLowModerateLowLowLow(servicer collects)Moderate(hardship docs)

Questions, answered

Frequently asked questions

There isn't one best way — it depends on your timeline, your home's condition, and what matters most to you. That's why I start with your goals, then match you to the strategy that fits. The quiz above is a quick way to see your best fit.

Let's find the best strategy for your situation.

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

Schedule time with Allen

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

Questions about Find Your Best Option

Quick comparison

  • How do the options compare on price?

    A traditional sale and renovate and sell usually aim for the strongest price because the home is shown to many buyers. Market value cash lands near market, quick cash usually lands below market, and seller financing can earn more over time as payments arrive. A short sale is shaped by the lender's approval. These are guides, not promises, and we compare them in net dollars for your home.

  • Which options need the least effort from me?

    A quick cash offer usually asks the least of you. Trade-in, market value cash, renovate and sell, and sell and stay are low effort, a traditional sale takes moderate effort, and a short sale needs hardship paperwork. Low effort is not the same as the most money kept, so we weigh effort against what you net.

  • Who is involved in a short sale?

    The lender must approve the sale, so it is slower. A REALTOR coordinates the paperwork and the conversation with the lender, an attorney or housing counselor can explain your options, and a CPA can explain tax questions. A short sale is a way out when you owe more than the home is worth. Talk to us early so more paths stay open.

  • What is the difference between a quick cash offer and a market value cash offer?

    A quick cash offer prioritizes speed and usually lands below market. A market value cash offer sets a floor near market and lets us market the home to draw higher offers, so it takes longer. Which fits depends on how much time you have. We compare them in net dollars.

  • What if I want the most money and I have time?

    A traditional sale or renovate and sell usually has more price potential. It takes more time and effort, and no result is promised. We price from closed sales and compare in net dollars. Time on the market has a cost too, so we plan a schedule.

  • What if I need to sell fast?

    Quick cash is the fastest of these, a trade-in or sell and stay may also be quick depending on the situation, and a market value cash offer takes a bit longer. A traditional sale is moderate. Tell us your deadline. We pick the options that can meet it and show the dollar gap.

  • How do I compare the options in dollars?

    Ask for a written net sheet for each: what you receive after the loan payoff, costs, any discount and any program fees. Then add time, because carrying costs continue. We build these side by side. Compare what you keep, not what is quoted.

  • Is the comparison table a promise?

    No. The table shows general tendencies, and each home and situation differs. Treat it as a guide for questions to ask. We tailor the numbers to your home, and no option is promised to give any result.

  • Who is renovate and sell for?

    It fits a seller whose home needs improvements to reach its price potential but who does not want to pay up front. Per the page, vetted vendors manage the work and it is paid at closing. It takes more time than a quick sale, so compare. Talk to us to see if your home qualifies.

The quiz

  • How does the quick quiz work?

    You answer five short questions about your home and goals and get a suggested selling strategy in about a minute, then you can compare every option side by side. It is a starting point, not a final answer, because nothing is a straight line. Then we talk it through for your circumstances.

  • What do I need to decide before I choose a way to sell?

    Three things matter most: how fast you must be done, how much you want to keep and how much effort or disruption you can handle. Then there is where you are going next. The answers point to different options. We help you rank them so the choice is clear.

  • What happens after I take the quiz?

    You get a suggested strategy and can compare every option, then reach out when you are ready. Nothing is required. We talk through your circumstances and give you a written comparison. Waiting only lets carrying costs keep running.

  • Does the comparison cost anything?

    The quiz and comparison come with no obligation, per the page. Any fee for services is agreed in writing before work starts, and compensation is negotiable and not set by law. Ask us for the numbers up front so you can compare options.

  • Is the quiz free and does it commit me to anything?

    It is free and carries no obligation. It takes about a minute. You can look at every option yourself afterward.

Why options

  • Why are there so many ways to sell a home?

    Because sellers' needs differ. Some want the most money, some want speed, some need time and some are buying at the same time. The usual list-and-wait way may not serve you. There are many ways to sell and many ways to buy, and more combinations when doing both, which can lower stress and keep more money in your pocket.

  • Is listing on the market always the right way to sell?

    No. It often brings strong price potential, but it takes time, preparation and showings. If you value speed, certainty or a lease-back, another path may serve you better. We compare options in net dollars and effort. Talk to us before you assume.

  • Are cash offers always the answer?

    No. Cash can bring speed and certainty, but it usually lands below what open-market buyers might pay, and it is not suited to every goal. Some sellers get a stronger result with a market value cash floor or a listing. We show you the gap in dollars, then you choose.

  • Which option helps me avoid moving twice?

    A trade-in lets you buy first and move once, and a sell and stay lets you sell now and move when the next home is ready. Both reduce disruption but work in different orders. Which fits depends on your timeline and where you are going next.

Selling and buying

  • How do I choose a way to sell if I am also buying?

    Your sell choice and your buy choice interact. Buying first through a trade-in, selling first with a sell and stay, or timing both together each trade stress, risk and money kept. Many ways to sell and many ways to buy mean more combinations when doing both. We plan both sides together.

How to choose

  • How do I choose between the different ways to sell?

    Start with what matters most: speed, price, convenience, or buying your next home first. Then match that to the option built for it. Nothing is a straight line, and the right choice depends on your circumstances, goals and timeline. Talk to us and we will help you sort it out.

  • What are the main things that decide which option fits?

    Your timeline, your home's condition, how much you need the highest price, whether you have a next home lined up, and what you owe. Each option trades one of these for another. We start with your goals and work from there.

  • Is it better to pick speed or price?

    It is a trade-off. Faster options usually give up some price, and the open market usually takes longer but can bring more. Which matters more is personal. We show both in dollars so you can decide.

  • Can I combine two options?

    Sometimes you can switch or layer them. A home that did not sell on the open market can often move to a cash option later, for example. Details depend on your situation, so ask us before committing to either.

  • What if I am torn between two options?

    That is a normal place to be. We put the two side by side with your actual numbers, including costs, timing and what you would net. Seeing both columns usually makes the choice clearer.

  • What if I do not know my goals yet?

    That is fine. Start with what you are worried about, such as time, money, hassle, or your next home, and we help turn it into a plan. The quiz and a short conversation are good starting points.

  • How does the quiz recommend an option?

    It asks five short questions about your home and goals and then suggests a strategy that fits your answers. It takes about a minute. It is a starting point, and we refine it with you in conversation.

What to bring to the conversation

  • What should I bring to a conversation about selling?

    Your address, a rough sense of what you owe, any timeline you have in mind, and your goals. Photos or notes on the home's condition help too. We take it from there and do the research.

  • Do I need to know my home's value before we talk?

    No. Working that out is part of what we do, from closed sales rather than guesses. If you want a head start, our free tools can give you an estimate, though an estimate is not an appraisal.

  • Which documents help me compare options?

    A recent mortgage statement, owners association information if you have it, and any repair records. They help us build accurate numbers for each path. If you do not have them, we can start without.

  • What questions should I ask any agent about my options?

    Ask what each option costs, how long it takes, what you net, what could go wrong, and what happens if it does not work. Ask for it in writing. An agent who only offers one way to sell may not show you the full picture.

  • How should I prepare my questions for Allen?

    Write down your deadline, your concerns and your must-haves. Include anything you are afraid to hear. The more honest the picture, the more useful the comparison.

How the options compare

  • How do the options compare on speed?

    On our comparison, a quick cash offer is fastest, in as little as a short window of days, and a traditional sale is moderate. Trade-in, market value cash and sell and stay are fast, with others in between. Short sales are slow because the lender must approve.

  • Which options need money up front?

    Most have no upfront cost. A traditional sale has a low cost for preparation, and seller financing has a low cost for attorney and setup. Renovate and sell is paid at closing. We show the full picture for your home.

  • Which option lets me buy my next home first?

    Trade-in is the one built for buying first. The other options are about selling, and you buy afterward. If timing control matters to you, talk to us about it.

  • Which option lets me stay in my home after closing?

    Sell and stay, which leases the home back to you after closing. The others do not include staying. A traditional sale can sometimes include a short stay if the buyer agrees.

  • Why is the comparison table labeled draft values?

    Because the table gives general guidance, not figures for your home. Real numbers depend on your property and the market, which is why we show actual comps and a net sheet for you.

  • What does the traditional sale have that others do not?

    The widest buyer pool, real price discovery, and room to negotiate terms, in exchange for a longer timeline and showings. If price matters most, it is usually where we start the comparison.

  • What is the difference between the two cash offers?

    A quick cash offer is built for speed and certainty, while a market value cash offer aims closer to full value with a flexible closing. Both skip prep and showings. We compare both for you.

  • How does seller financing differ from the others?

    You carry the note yourself, receiving a down payment at closing and monthly payments after. It suits owners with no remaining mortgage. Your money arrives over years, not as one lump sum.

  • When does a short sale make sense?

    When you owe more than the home is worth and need a way out that is not foreclosure. The lender must approve it, so it is slower. Details depend on your situation, so talk to us early.

The decision matrix

  • What does the decision matrix show?

    It scores each option on speed to close, price potential, upfront cost, buying before selling, staying after closing, and effort required. It helps you see trade-offs at a glance. Treat it as a guide, then check your own numbers.

  • How do I read the color coding in the comparison?

    The table marks where an option is strong, middle of the road, or a trade-off to weigh. It is a quick visual guide. Different factors matter to different sellers, so a strong mark on the wrong factor does not make it the right option.

  • Can I rank the factors that matter to me?

    Yes, and that is the most useful way to use the matrix. Decide which one or two factors you cannot compromise on, then see which options score well on them. Ask us to help weigh them.

Getting started

  • How soon should I decide on a way to sell?

    Sooner is better, because waiting rarely makes any option better and some paths narrow with time. A conversation costs nothing. Talk to us while your choices are still open.

  • Do I need to commit to one option right away?

    No. We start by showing you the numbers for each path, side by side, and you decide when you are ready. Talk to us whenever it helps.

Special situations

  • What if I am behind on payments?

    You have more options than you might think, including a fast sale or a short sale, depending on your situation. The earlier we talk, the more paths stay open. We look at it privately and without judgment.

  • What if my home needs repairs and I cannot afford them?

    Renovate and sell lets the cost be paid at closing, and a cash offer lets you sell as-is. Which is better depends on the numbers. Talk to us about your home.

  • Which areas do you serve?

    We serve Greater Houston, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Waller, Grimes and Austin counties. If you are nearby and not sure, ask.

See all questions