The Essential Paperwork Checklist for Selling Your Texas Home FSBO
A complete guide to documents, disclosures, and required forms for Texas homeowners selling without a Realtor.
Selling your home For Sale By Owner (FSBO) in Texas allows you to save substantial commission costs — but it also means you must handle the paperwork, disclosures, and compliance tasks typically managed by an agent. This guide outlines every document you need before listing, while under contract, and at closing.
For the full FSBO process, see:
How to Sell Your Home in Texas Without a Realtor
1. Before You List: Documents to Gather Early
Texas homeowners can streamline their FSBO experience by preparing the following documents before listing their home.
- Property Deed — Proof of ownership used during closing. What is a deed?
- Property Survey — Shows boundaries, easements, encroachments, and improvements.
- HOA / POA / Condo Documents — Includes bylaws, budgets, restrictions, and Texas-mandated resale certificates (Texas Property Code §207 & §82).
- Seller’s Disclosure Notice — Required under Texas Property Code §5.008. Seller disclosures explained
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure — Required for homes built before 1978. Lead-based paint disclosure explained
- Recent Utility Bills / Property Taxes
- Comparable Sales (“Comps”) — Critical for setting your listing price. What are comps in real estate?
- New to FSBO? What is FSBO in real estate?
2. MLS Listing Requirements for Texas FSBO Sellers
To appear on the MLS — and syndicate to Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin — Texas FSBO sellers must use a flat fee MLS listing service such as Brokerless.
- MLS Data Input Form — Property features, remarks, showing instructions.
- Listing Agreement — Required by Texas MLS associations.
- Mandatory Disclosures — Must accompany the MLS packet.
Learn how to list on the MLS in Texas using a listing service:
How to list on the MLS in Texas with a flat fee MLS listing service
Compare listing services:
Best flat fee MLS listing services in Texas
View coverage:
Texas flat fee MLS listing service coverage map
3. Documents Required When You Receive Offers
- TREC Contract Forms — Most use the “One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale)” (TREC 20-17). (Texas requires use of promulgated forms in most cases.)
- Proof of Funds — Required for cash offers.
- Mortgage Pre-Approval Letter
Mortgage pre-approval explained - Contract Addenda — HOA addendum, financing addendum, appraisal waiver, etc.
4. Documents Required While Under Contract
- Inspection Report — Typically ordered during the buyer’s negotiated option period.
- Repair Proposals / Amendments — If repairs or credits are negotiated.
- Appraisal Report — Required for lender approval.
- Title Search & Title Commitment — Provided by the title company.
- HOA Resale Certificate — Required under Texas Property Code §207.
- Mortgage Payoff Statement
What is a mortgage payoff?
5. Title, Escrow & Closing Documents in Texas
- Closing Disclosure / Settlement Statement
- Owner’s Title Insurance Policy — Required in most TX transactions. What is an owner's policy?
- Lender’s Title Insurance Policy
What is a title insurance policy? - Warranty Deed — Prepared by the title company for closing.
- HOA / POA Estoppel or Resale Docs
- Bill of Sale — For personal property included in the contract.
6. Complete Texas FSBO Paperwork Checklist
- Before Listing: Deed, survey, seller’s disclosure, HOA/POA docs, tax bills, comps.
- To List on MLS: MLS input form, listing agreement, disclosures.
- When Offers Arrive: TREC contract, proof of funds, pre-approval, addenda.
- Under Contract: Inspection, repairs, appraisal, title search, HOA resale docs.
- At Closing: Settlement statement, title insurance, deed, HOA estoppel/resale docs, bill of sale.
Ready to Sell Your Home FSBO in Texas?
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