Buying a Home in Katy Without a Realtor
Katy pairs highly regarded Katy ISD schools with some of the most active new-construction in the Houston area, and 2026 inventory has loosened noticeably, homes now sit around 45 days versus roughly a month a year ago. That extra room is leverage for a self-represented buyer.
Buyer-agent commission at stake in Katy
$12,500–$15,000
Based on a ~$499,990 typical recent sale price and a typical 2.5% to 3% buyer-agent commission. Represent yourself and that is money you keep or apply to the purchase.
See how it worksIllustrative estimate. Actual commissions are negotiated and vary.
Katy market snapshot
As of July 2026- Typical list price
- $499,990
- Year-over-year price change
- -0.3%
- Typical days on market
- 45 days
Texas is a non-disclosure state, so this figure is a median of current for-sale list prices in Katy (an estimate), not recorded sale prices. It shifts as inventory changes.
How to represent yourself in Katy
- 1
Get pre-approved before you tour
Line up your financing first. A pre-approval letter tells sellers you are a serious buyer and sets a firm budget, so you can move quickly when the right home in Katy comes up.
- 2
Search listings and track homes yourself
You can find and evaluate homes directly. Watch price history and days on market so you know where you have leverage in the Fort Bend County market.
- 3
Tour homes as a self-represented buyer
You can schedule showings directly with listing agents. Say up front that you are representing yourself so everyone is clear on who is on which side.
- 4
For new construction, register yourself at the model home
Katy is one of the busiest new-construction markets in the metro; the builder's on-site agent works for the builder. Register yourself directly with the builder before a walk-in rep is assigned as your agent of record, then negotiate incentives and the buyer-side commission yourself.
- 5
Make a written offer and negotiate the commission
In Texas, buyers can prepare and submit their own written purchase offer. The standard Indiana Association of Realtors form is members-only, so a self-represented buyer typically uses an attorney-drafted or vetted third-party Indiana purchase agreement. Build in an inspection contingency (commonly 7 to 14 days); the seller must give you Indiana's Sales Disclosure form before accepting your offer. Because buyer-agent compensation is now negotiated openly, you can ask to keep that amount or apply it toward the purchase.
- 6
Handle inspections, appraisal, and closing
Order your own inspection during the contingency window and review the appraisal, then close through a title/settlement company — Indiana closings are title-company run and do not require an attorney. Plan for wired "good funds," consider an owner's title insurance policy to protect your own interest, and file your homestead deduction with the county auditor after closing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tour homes in Katy without a realtor?
Yes. You can contact listing agents directly to schedule showings, attend open houses, and make an offer. Texas does not require a buyer to use an agent, and the state uses TREC-promulgated contract forms that are publicly available, so a self-represented buyer can prepare a standard offer. Since the 2024 NAR settlement, a licensed broker must have a signed buyer-agency agreement before showing you homes, which keeps that choice in your hands.
Will my property taxes change after I buy in Katy?
Likely, and often upward. Texas has no state income tax but leans on property taxes. The seller's homestead exemption and the roughly 10 percent appraisal cap do not carry over, so the appraised value can reset toward full market value the year after you buy. File your own homestead exemption with Fort Bend Central Appraisal District after closing, budget for the MUD and Katy ISD levies common in newer subdivisions, and protest the appraised value each year if it looks too high.
Can I buy new construction in Katy without an agent?
Yes. Register yourself directly with the builder before a walk-in rep is assigned as your agent of record, and you can negotiate incentives, rate buydowns, and the buyer-side commission yourself. The builder's on-site salesperson represents the builder, not you.
What is the option period when buying in Katy?
The option period is a negotiated window, usually 3 to 10 days, in the TREC contract. For a small nonrefundable option fee paid to the seller you get the unrestricted right to terminate for any reason, which is when most buyers inspect. As a self-represented buyer you choose the length, so make it long enough to inspect and, for new construction, to review the builder documents.