Talk to me about whole home filters and softeners. Any brands or recommendations? located in the DFW area if you have a person you would like to recommend.

Send a sample of water here: https://soiltesting.tamu.edu/water-testing/

This likely leads you to then installing a catalytic carbon media filter that flows into the softener.

As for valves, go with Clack or Fleck.

Under sink reverse osmosis optional.

Price for that set up is 2-3.5k or so depending upon system sizing and selection of RO system or not.

I bought mine from Mike at Aqua Pure https://www.aquapuretx.com/salado-tx.

He's an Ag I found from texags and I always try to use Ag and site referrals when I can. He was great to work with.

It is a Klack system. Dual tank water softener and a single tank backwashing sediment filter along with the biggest Viqua UV light they make. Entire system was just under 4k but that was 7 years ago and I installed it myself. It's never given me any issue.