Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make — and it's a deeply personal one too. This guide is meant to walk you through what to actually expect, from our very first conversation all the way through closing day, so you're moving forward with real understanding instead of guesswork.
We put this together because we believe sellers do better when they understand the process, not just sign where they're told. Everything here reflects how the Shannon Moneymaker Bartek Group actually works with clients in Plano — not generic advice pulled from somewhere else.
Our goal is simple: help you sell your home for what it's genuinely worth, on a timeline that fits your life, with clarity and honesty at every step along the way.
As of October 2026, the median list price in Collin County, TX rose to $509,000 from $505,000 in November 2025, even as active listings increased from 4,516 to 4,620. Median days on market held steady at 65, suggesting consistent buyer interest, while median list price per square foot declined from $211.00 to $203.00. Sellers should price thoughtfully given the growing inventory and the shift in price per square foot.
Collin County, TX listing data as of October 2026. Source: Realtor.com® Economic Research. Figures are estimates and not a guarantee of future results.
As of October 2026, the median list price in Denton County stands at $469,990, slightly above November 2025's $469,000, while active listings have grown from 4,066 to 4,338 — giving sellers a bit more company on the market. Median days on market held fairly steady at 64, just a touch faster than the prior 65, suggesting homes are still moving at a comparable pace. List price per square foot eased slightly from $206.00 to $203.00, a modest shift worth keeping in mind when setting your asking price.
Denton County, TX listing data as of October 2026. Source: Realtor.com® Economic Research. Figures are estimates and not a guarantee of future results.
As of October 2026, Dallas County's median list price stands at $380,000, up slightly from $379,000 in November 2025, while active listings rose from 7,286 to 7,491. Homes are also moving a bit faster, with median days on market dropping from 63 to 59, even as price per square foot eased slightly from $212.00 to $209.00. For sellers, this points to a market where well-priced homes continue to attract attention despite a modest rise in available inventory.
Dallas County, TX listing data as of October 2026. Source: Realtor.com® Economic Research. Figures are estimates and not a guarantee of future results.
There's no single right answer here — it depends on your goals, your timeline, and what's happening in your specific neighborhood. A few honest questions usually cut through the noise faster than weeks of research.
Do you need to sell, or do you want to sell? If you're relocating, growing out of your space, or moving into a new chapter, timing usually matters less than getting the process done well. If you're testing the waters opportunistically, current conditions carry more weight in the decision.
How does your home compare to what else is available right now? When similar homes nearby are limited, well-prepared listings tend to stand out and move faster. We'll help you understand exactly where your home fits into that picture.
What's your next move? Selling and buying at the same time takes coordination — whether that means a rent-back arrangement, a contingent offer, or simply timing your listing around your next purchase. We help sequence this so you're not caught in between.
The honest answer usually becomes clear after one real conversation. We'll walk through your specific situation and tell you plainly whether now makes sense — even if the answer is to wait.
Your home's value isn't what an online algorithm estimates, what your neighbor sold for a while back, or what you paid plus a percentage. It's what a qualified buyer will actually pay for it, today, in its current condition — and that number comes from data, not a guess.
A common mistake is pricing high to 'leave room to negotiate.' In practice, this tends to backfire — homes that sit on the market too long start to collect a certain stigma, and buyers begin wondering what's wrong with them. Accurate pricing from day one consistently outperforms a high number that has to be chased down later.
We'll give you a clear number and walk you through the reasoning behind it — not a range designed simply to win your listing.
You don't need to renovate before you sell. You do need to help buyers picture themselves living there. Here's where we typically recommend focusing your time and effort.
Declutter and depersonalize. Clear countertops, pack away personal photos and collections, and thin out closets — even ones buyers won't open, since a stuffed closet still signals a lack of storage.
Handle the obvious repairs. A leaky faucet, a cracked outlet cover, a door that sticks — small visible issues make buyers wonder what else hasn't been maintained.
Deep clean, and then clean again. This is the highest-return, lowest-cost thing you can do. Baseboards, windows, grout, appliances — a spotless home reads as a well-cared-for home.
Curb appeal. Buyers form an opinion before they even get out of the car. A trimmed lawn, fresh mulch, a clean front door, and good exterior lighting go a long way for very little cost.
Neutral touch-ups. If walls carry bold colors or visible wear, a neutral repaint in key rooms — especially the living room and primary bedroom — tends to pay for itself.
Professional photography. This is part of your marketing plan and something we handle for every listing.
We'll walk your home in person and give you a specific, prioritized list — not a generic checklist. Some homes need very little. Others benefit most from just a couple of focused changes.
Listing a home on the MLS and waiting isn't a marketing plan — it's the bare minimum. Here's what we actually put into motion once your home goes live.
Professional photography. Every listing gets professional photography, with walkthrough video or additional visual coverage where it makes sense for the home.
Strategic pricing and launch timing. We choose your listing date and initial pricing based on current buyer activity in Plano, not simply whenever you happen to be ready.
MLS and syndication. Your listing is distributed to the major portals buyers actually use, formatted properly so nothing looks broken or cut off.
Targeted outreach. We work to put your listing in front of buyers actively searching in your price range and area, rather than just hoping the right person finds it organically.
Open houses and agent outreach. We coordinate showings and open houses when appropriate, and reach out directly to other agents who may have buyers that fit your home.
Ongoing updates. You'll hear from us regularly about showings, feedback, and activity — you shouldn't have to guess whether the marketing is working.
The goal isn't just to get your home listed. It's to create genuine interest and competition for it.
Pre-listing prep. We walk the home together, finalize your punch list, schedule photography, and confirm pricing before anything goes live.
Go live. Your home hits the MLS and your full marketing plan at the same time.
Showings and open houses. We coordinate every showing and follow up with feedback so you know how buyers are responding.
Offers come in. We present every offer with a clear breakdown of price, terms, contingencies, and buyer qualification — not just the headline number.
Negotiation. We negotiate on your behalf and walk you through every counteroffer so you understand exactly what you're agreeing to.
Under contract. Once you accept an offer, inspection, appraisal, and financing timelines begin.
Inspection period. The buyer's inspector examines the home, and we help you evaluate any repair requests — what's reasonable, what's negotiable, and what you can decline.
Appraisal. The buyer's lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home supports the loan amount.
Clear to close. Final walkthrough, closing disclosure review, and signing.
Closing day. Funds are disbursed, keys are transferred, and the sale is recorded.
Timelines vary depending on your buyer's financing and your own circumstances — we'll give you a realistic estimate specific to your situation along the way.
The highest offer isn't always the best offer. Whether you have multiple offers or just one, here's what we evaluate beyond the purchase price.
Financing type. A cash offer or a buyer with a strong pre-approval from a reputable lender typically carries less risk than a highly leveraged loan with a tight approval timeline.
Contingencies. Offers with fewer or shorter contingencies — inspection, appraisal, financing — tend to close with less risk of falling through. A slightly lower offer with a cleaner path to closing can be worth more than a higher one with more ways to unravel.
Closing timeline. If you need to close quickly, or need extra time to move, a buyer's flexibility on dates can matter just as much as price.
Earnest money deposit. A larger deposit is often a signal of a more committed buyer.
Escalation clauses and appraisal gaps. In competitive situations, we'll walk you through any escalation terms or buyer agreements to cover an appraisal shortfall, both of which can meaningfully strengthen an offer's real value.
We'll never just hand you a stack of offers and ask which one you like best. We'll tell you which one we'd recommend, and exactly why — then the decision is yours.
We believe in full transparency here — no surprises waiting for you at the closing table. Here are the costs sellers typically encounter.
Commission. Paid to the listing and buyer's agents, generally deducted from proceeds at closing.
Closing costs. These cover items such as title insurance, deed preparation, and recording fees, and vary based on your specific sale.
Prorated property taxes. You're responsible for taxes up through your closing date.
Buyer concessions, if applicable. In some negotiations, sellers agree to contribute toward a buyer's closing costs — this is deal-specific, not automatic.
Repairs from inspection. This varies widely depending on what's negotiated after the inspection period.
Mortgage payoff. Your remaining loan balance is paid off from proceeds at closing.
Before you list, we'll prepare a net sheet — a specific, line-by-line estimate of what you can expect to walk away with at your target sale price. We believe no one should list their home without knowing this number first.
How long will it take to sell my home?
It depends on pricing, condition, and current activity in your area — but we'll give you a realistic, honest estimate specific to your home before you ever list, not a generic average.
Do I need to be present for showings?
No — in fact, we usually recommend you're not. Buyers tend to feel more comfortable and linger longer when the seller isn't in the home.
What if I don't get any offers?
We'll revisit pricing, presentation, and marketing based on real feedback and activity, not guesswork. A stalled listing almost always points to one specific, fixable cause.
Can I sell if I still owe money on my mortgage?
Yes — this is the most common scenario we see. Your loan is simply paid off from the sale proceeds at closing.
What happens if the appraisal comes in low?
We'll walk you through your options, which may include renegotiating price, the buyer covering the gap, or challenging the appraisal with additional comparable sales.
Do I have to make repairs the inspector finds?
No — repair requests are negotiable, not mandatory. We'll help you decide what's genuinely worth addressing and what you can decline.
What if I need to buy and sell at the same time?
This is very common, and very manageable with the right sequencing. Rent-back agreements, contingent offers, and other strategies are things we coordinate regularly for our clients.
Shannon Moneymaker Bartek Group was built on the belief that real estate is never just a transaction — it's about the financial and personal decisions that shape a family's future. Shannon brings a unique perspective to this work, having owned and managed an insurance agency of her own while growing up watching her mother serve clients as a Realtor®. That foundation shaped the way she approaches every client relationship: with care, honesty, and a genuine understanding of what's really at stake.
A native Texan who grew up in Plano and now calls Frisco home, Shannon knows this area intimately, and she brings that same local knowledge to every client she works with. What drives her most is being there for the moment a client finds the right home, or successfully closes the chapter on the one they're leaving — the mix of excitement and certainty that makes the whole process worth it. Whether she's guiding a first-time seller, helping a family navigate their next move, or supporting someone through downsizing, Shannon treats every relationship as a genuine partnership.
At the heart of the Shannon Moneymaker Bartek Group is a commitment to faith, family, and doing right by everyone involved in a transaction. Shannon believes exceptional service comes from trust, loyalty, and clear communication at every step — so reach out, and let's start with a simple, honest conversation about your home.
No pressure, no obligation — just an honest conversation about your home, your goals, and what makes sense for you right now.