Selling a Home in Texas? Gather These 6 Documents Before You List

Warm Texas home at golden hour with a seller’s document folder on the porch

Meta title: Selling a Home in Texas? 6 Documents to Gather First
Meta description: Selling a home in Texas? Use this practical checklist to prepare your seller’s disclosure, HOA documents, survey, title paperwork, lead-paint disclosure, tax records, and payoff information.

Selling a home in Texas involves more than preparing the property, choosing a list price, and scheduling professional photography. The right documents can help you answer buyer questions quickly, avoid preventable delays, and move toward closing with greater confidence.

I recommend gathering your paperwork before the listing goes live, especially if you own a property in Brenham, Chappell Hill, College Station, or elsewhere in Washington County and the surrounding region. Some documents are legally required, while others help the title company, buyer, and lender confirm that the transaction is ready to proceed.

Use this checklist as a starting point, then work with your real estate professional and title company for guidance specific to your property.

What documents do I need when selling a home in Texas?

Most Texas sellers should prepare six categories of documents: the Seller’s Disclosure Notice, HOA resale documents if applicable, the survey and T-47 affidavit, title and closing paperwork, the lead-based paint disclosure for older homes, and property tax, utility, and payoff records.

Here is the quick-reference checklist:

Document	Why It Matters	Who Prepares It
Seller’s Disclosure Notice	Discloses known conditions and material facts about the property	Seller, with guidance from an agent or attorney
HOA resale certificate & governing documents	Explains dues, restrictions, assessments, violations, and association requirements	HOA or management company
Survey & T-47 or T-47.1	Helps verify boundaries, easements, and improvements	Surveyor; seller completes the affidavit
Title commitment & closing documents	Identifies ownership, liens, exceptions, payoffs, and final settlement figures	Title company, lender, and seller
Lead-based paint disclosure	Required for most homes built before 1978	Seller provides known information; buyer receives EPA materials
Tax, utility, and payoff records	Helps calculate prorations, satisfy liens, and identify district charges	Seller, lender, utility provider, appraisal district, and title company

Texas homeowner reviewing property disclosure paperwork, keys, and a pen

1. Seller’s Disclosure Notice | What must Texas sellers disclose?

Most sellers of previously occupied single-family residences must provide a written Seller’s Disclosure Notice under Texas Property Code § 5.008. The disclosure addresses known conditions and material facts involving areas such as the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical systems, water penetration, flooding history, repairs, and other property conditions.

You may hear this document called TREC Form OP-H or the Texas REALTORS TXR-1406. Texas Real Estate Commission forms can change, so sellers should confirm the current form and effective date through the TREC Seller’s Disclosure Notice page.

Practical seller tips

Complete the form based on what you actually know, not what you assume.
Keep repair invoices, inspection reports, warranties, and permits nearby.
Disclose previous foundation work, roof repairs, plumbing issues, water intrusion, insurance claims, or other significant matters.
Update the disclosure if you learn new material information before closing.
Do not guess at technical answers. Ask your agent, inspector, contractor, or attorney when appropriate.

Texas law includes limited exemptions, but a standard resale usually requires the disclosure. Providing it early can help buyers evaluate the property and can reduce confusion during the inspection and negotiation period.

2. HOA resale certificate | Why should I order it before listing?

If your property is subject to a mandatory homeowners association or property owners association, request the resale certificate and governing documents before listing. Texas Property Code Chapter 207 addresses resale certificates for property owners associations, including information about assessments, fees, violations, and other association matters.

The resale package may include:

Current assessments and unpaid dues
Special assessments
Transfer fees and other charges
Known violations
Association contact information
Insurance and financial information
Governing documents, bylaws, restrictions, and rules

Order the package from the HOA or management company as soon as possible. Associations may need time to process requests, and an incomplete or outdated package can create delays after you accept an offer.

This matters in planned communities around College Station and in newer developments throughout the region, where association rules may affect fencing, exterior changes, leasing, parking, or architectural approvals. If you are selling in Brenham, Chappell Hill, or on acreage, confirm whether deed restrictions or an association apply: even when the property feels more rural.

3. Survey & T-47 | Do I need a new survey to sell my house in Texas?

You may not need a new survey if you have a usable existing survey and can accurately complete the required affidavit. A Texas survey can show property boundaries, easements, fences, driveways, pools, outbuildings, and other improvements that may affect the transaction.

To reuse an existing survey, the title company and buyer may require:

The original survey
A T-47 Residential Real Property Affidavit
Or the applicable T-47.1 electronic affidavit, depending on the transaction and current requirements
Confirmation that no material changes have occurred since the survey was completed

Do not sign a T-47 or T-47.1 if the property has changed in a way that could affect the survey. A new fence, detached building, pool, addition, driveway, or other improvement may require a new survey.

This document is particularly important for properties with acreage, older fencing, shared driveways, easements, wells, or outbuildings: features commonly encountered around Washington County and Chappell Hill.

Texas property survey and lot boundary sketch beside house keys and a measuring tape

4. Title commitment & closing documents | What does the title company prepare?

The title company prepares the title commitment, warranty deed, payoff coordination, and final closing documents needed to transfer ownership and close the sale. You are not expected to create these documents yourself, but you should review them carefully and provide accurate information.

The title commitment identifies:

The current record owner
Existing liens and mortgages
Easements and restrictions
Title exceptions
Requirements that must be cleared before closing

The title company also prepares the general warranty deed or another deed appropriate to the transaction. The deed transfers the property to the buyer and is signed at closing.

You will also review a final settlement statement or closing disclosure showing items such as:

Sales price
Mortgage payoff
Property tax prorations
HOA charges
Title insurance and recording fees
Broker compensation
Repair credits
Your estimated net proceeds

The buyer’s lender typically prepares the buyer’s Closing Disclosure, while the title company coordinates the seller’s closing figures and settlement documents. Review the final numbers before signing and ask questions if the payoff, taxes, credits, or proceeds do not match your expectations.

5. Lead-based paint disclosure | Is it required for a Texas home built before 1978?

Federal law generally requires a lead-based paint disclosure for residential properties built before 1978. Sellers must disclose known information about lead-based paint or hazards, provide available reports, and give the buyer the EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet.

The disclosure should be handled before the buyer signs the purchase contract. If you are unsure of the construction year, check county property records, prior closing documents, or your appraisal district’s records.

A home built in 1977 in Brenham has the same federal lead-paint disclosure consideration as a home built in 1977 in College Station. The location does not change the rule; the construction date does.

6. Tax records, utility charges & payoff information | What should I gather?

Property tax statements, mortgage payoff information, and utility or district records help the title company calculate the seller’s obligations and prepare accurate closing figures.

Gather the following:

Most recent property tax statements
Information about delinquent taxes, if any
Mortgage or home equity loan account details
Contact information for lenders and lienholders
Utility account information and final-bill procedures
MUD, WCID, PID, or other district information, if applicable
Documents showing bond, assessment, or utility payoff requirements
Receipts for major improvements or repairs

Texas properties may have charges connected to a municipal utility district, water district, public improvement district, or other special district. Not every property has these obligations, so ask the title company to confirm what applies to your address.

For rural properties in Washington County or around Chappell Hill, also organize information about private wells, septic systems, propane tanks, water agreements, and access easements when applicable. These items may not be required in every sale, but they can answer important buyer questions and help prevent last-minute confusion.

Organized Texas title-company closing folders, calculator, keys, and a home exterior

When should I collect these documents before listing?

Start collecting the documents two to four weeks before listing whenever possible. The Seller’s Disclosure, survey, deed, tax records, and repair history are usually the best first steps.

A practical timeline looks like this:

Before listing: Find the survey, deed, tax statements, repair records, warranties, and lender information.
Before or immediately after listing: Complete the Seller’s Disclosure and request the HOA resale package.
When you receive an offer: Provide applicable disclosures and confirm survey, title, and association requirements.
During the contract period: Respond to title questions, order updated payoff figures, and address outstanding liens or district charges.
Before closing: Review the settlement statement, confirm utility arrangements, and bring valid identification to the title company.

The earlier you begin, the more time you have to resolve an old lien, locate a missing survey, correct a name discrepancy, or clarify a district charge.

Frequently Asked Questions | Selling a Home in Texas

Q: Do I legally have to fill out a Seller’s Disclosure Notice in Texas?
A: Most sellers of previously occupied single-family residences must provide a Seller’s Disclosure Notice under Texas Property Code § 5.008. Limited exemptions may apply, so ask your real estate professional or attorney if you believe your transaction is exempt.

Q: What happens if I skip the HOA resale certificate?
A: Missing or delaying the HOA resale certificate can create buyer concerns, delay title work, and potentially affect the buyer’s contractual rights. Request the certificate and governing documents early so the buyer can review dues, assessments, restrictions, and violations before closing.

Q: Do I need a new survey to sell my house in Texas?
A: Not always. If you have an existing survey and no material changes have been made, the buyer and title company may accept it with a completed T-47 Residential Real Property Affidavit or T-47.1 e-affidavit. If the property has changed or the old survey is not acceptable, a new survey may be required.

Q: Who prepares the warranty deed and Closing Disclosure in Texas?
A: The title company prepares the warranty deed and coordinates the seller’s closing documents. The buyer’s lender generally prepares the buyer’s Closing Disclosure, while the title company prepares and reviews the final settlement figures for the transaction.

Other Resources

External Authority Resources

Texas Trio Team Resources

Final Thoughts

Preparing documents early can maximize clarity, reduce delays, and give you stronger control over the selling process. Whether you are selling a historic home in Brenham, acreage near Chappell Hill, or a property connected to College Station’s growing communities, organized paperwork helps the entire transaction move more smoothly.

At Texas Trio Team, we guide sellers through the details with local expertise, careful communication, and a proven process. When you are ready to understand your property’s value and create a practical plan, request a property valuation and take the next step with confidence.