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If you’ve bought or sold a home in Texas before, you’re probably familiar with the standard 1-to-4 Family Residential Contract.

On July 1, 2026, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is rolling out mandatory updates that change how homes are bought and sold across the state. Because these rules affect how your private information is handled and what sellers must reveal, I wanted to make sure you were in the loop.

Here are three of the biggest shifts:

• More Detailed Seller Disclosures: Sellers will now be required to share deeper details about a property before closing, including its full insurance history, the presence of any aboveground storage tanks, and whether any private roads exist that a buyer must maintain. New TREC forms include a stronger emphasis on water rights and disclosures, with new required disclosure language around groundwater and surface water added directly into the contract
• New Federal Reporting Clauses: To comply with updated federal financial transparency laws (FinCEN), contracts will now explicitly require both buyers and sellers to promptly provide identity and reporting documents to title companies.
• Restructured Agent Fees: How agent compensation is displayed and structured within the contract is getting a complete makeover to create absolute clarity for both parties.

What this means for you: Whether you're actively planning a move this summer or just like keeping tabs on your property's value, the paperwork is going to look a little different moving forward. Have questions about what this means for your specific situation? I'd love to chat — no pressure, just clarity. I’d love to grab a coffee or jump on a quick call to catch up!

Best, 
Katy Wright