Selling or buying in Crestview comes with a few extra boxes to check. If you have heard about Austin’s ECAD requirement or Texas disclosure rules and felt a little overwhelmed, you are not alone. The good news is most of it is straightforward once you know what applies to your home and when. In this guide, you will learn the key disclosures that matter in Crestview, how to stay compliant, and how to avoid last‑minute surprises. Let’s dive in.
ECAD in Crestview: what to know
ECAD is Austin’s Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure ordinance. If a home is inside Austin city limits, gets electricity from Austin Energy, and is 10 years or older, the seller typically needs an energy audit and must share the results with buyers. ECAD is a disclosure rule. It does not force you to make upgrades. You can read the city’s overview on the Austin Energy site for details and definitions in plain language.
- Learn the basics on the Austin Energy ECAD page: Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure ordinance
Does your Crestview home need an ECAD audit?
Most Crestview homes are older than 10 years, so ECAD often applies. The quickest way to confirm is to look up the property in Austin Energy’s ECAD Residential Status portal. That search will show whether an audit is on file or whether you likely need one before closing.
- Check a property’s status here: ECAD Residential Status portal
Exemptions and variances
Common exemptions include homes under 10 years old, properties not served by Austin Energy, or homes that completed qualifying whole‑home improvements through Austin Energy programs within the past 10 years. There are limited transaction or hardship variances. Austin Energy maintains current guidance and eligibility details in its FAQs.
- See the latest guidance: ECAD FAQs for residential customers
Who pays, what it costs, and when to schedule
In practice, the seller arranges and pays for the audit. Pricing varies by home size and number of HVAC systems but is commonly in the low hundreds of dollars. Most sellers schedule the audit when listing or during the option period so buyers can review the report early.
How to document compliance
Keep a copy of the ECAD audit report and any submission receipt from Austin Energy. Share the report with buyers and keep it with your transaction records. You can always verify that the audit is on file using the ECAD portal.
What happens if you skip ECAD
The city can enforce ECAD under the ordinance. Program summaries note that noncompliance may carry penalties. If you have questions about current enforcement, contact Austin Energy or review program case studies that summarize how ECAD is administered in Austin.
- Read a program summary: ECAD program case studies
Texas Seller’s Disclosure basics
Texas Property Code §5.008 requires most sellers of single‑family homes to deliver a written Seller’s Disclosure Notice. You must provide it on or before the effective date of the contract. If it is delivered late, the buyer can terminate for any reason within seven days after receiving it.
- Statute and required topics: Texas Property Code §5.008
- Recent form updates: TREC form changes effective January 3, 2025
What the notice covers
The disclosure asks about your actual knowledge of the property’s condition. Expect questions such as:
- Roof age and condition, prior leaks or repairs
- Plumbing, sewer, HVAC, and electrical systems (including aluminum wiring)
- Past water intrusion, flooding, or insurance claims
- Termite or pest history and treatments
- Known hazardous materials or environmental issues
- Septic or well systems, if present
Answer honestly. If you do not know, you can mark “unknown.” Keep receipts, permits, and reports that support your answers.
Timing tips to avoid delays
Complete the Seller’s Disclosure early in the listing process. Deliver it before the contract effective date to avoid the buyer’s seven‑day termination window. If anything changes during the option period, update the disclosure and provide it promptly.
Other key disclosures in Crestview
Lead‑based paint for pre‑1978 homes
Many Crestview houses were built in the 1950s and 1960s. For homes built before 1978, federal law requires a lead disclosure. You must give buyers the EPA pamphlet, disclose known lead hazards, share any available reports, and allow a 10‑day inspection period unless both parties waive it.
- Requirements and pamphlet: EPA lead‑based paint disclosure rule
Floodplain and insurance checks
Flood risk is an important part of Austin due diligence. FEMA and local maps have seen updates through 2024 and 2025, which changed some designations. Buyers should check current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and the City of Austin’s floodplain resources for the specific address. If the property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area and the buyer uses a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance may be required.
- See recent federal mapping updates: Federal Register notice on flood maps
PID, MUD, and special district notices
Texas requires a specific notice if a property lies within a Public Improvement District. Master‑planned areas may also have Municipal Utility District notices. While less common in central Austin, it is still a standard check. TREC provides addenda and guidance, and sellers typically verify through county tax records and city postings.
- Overview of PID notice requirements: Texas A&M Real Estate Center summary
Seller checklist for a smooth Crestview sale
- Confirm city and utility status, then check ECAD: Look up your address in the ECAD Residential Status portal. If required, schedule the audit and save the report and submission receipt.
- Complete the Texas Seller’s Disclosure early: Review the statutory topics in Property Code §5.008. Use the current TREC form version noted in TREC’s 2025 update.
- Prepare the ECAD audit: Plan it at listing or during the option period. Review scope and exemptions in the ECAD FAQs.
- Handle lead‑paint items for pre‑1978 homes: Provide the EPA pamphlet and disclosures per the EPA rule.
- Verify flood info and special districts: Check current flood status using FEMA and city resources referenced in this federal mapping update. If your property is in a PID or MUD, prepare the applicable TREC notice.
- Organize documentation: Keep permits, invoices, insurance claim summaries, and inspection reports in one place to back up your disclosures.
Buyer due diligence checklist in Crestview
- Ask for the ECAD audit report or exemption proof when the home is 10 years or older and served by Austin Energy.
- Review the complete Texas Seller’s Disclosure Notice before going firm on your offer.
- For pre‑1978 homes, confirm the lead‑based paint addendum and the 10‑day inspection option.
- Check floodplain status and discuss insurance with your lender and insurer early.
- Request PID or MUD notices if applicable, and review tax assessments closely.
Final thoughts for Crestview sellers and buyers
Crestview’s charm comes from its mid‑century homes and central location. That also means ECAD and a few other disclosures are part of most transactions here. When you tackle ECAD early, complete the Texas Seller’s Disclosure carefully, and confirm lead, flood, and district notices, you set yourself up for a smoother contract and fewer surprises. If you want local guidance and hands‑on support coordinating audits, forms, and vendors, reach out to Sean Tipps. We will help you move from checklist to closing with confidence.
FAQs
Is ECAD required for most Crestview homes?
- Yes in many cases. If the home is inside Austin, uses Austin Energy service, and is 10 years or older, ECAD applies unless an exemption fits. Confirm your address in the ECAD status portal.
Who orders and pays for an ECAD audit in Austin?
- The seller typically orders and pays for the audit, often at listing or during the option period. See scope and exemptions in the ECAD FAQs.
Do condos in Crestview need ECAD?
- Many condos that are 10 years or older and served by Austin Energy will require an ECAD audit before sale. Review Austin’s overview here: ECAD ordinance summary.
What if the Seller’s Disclosure is delivered late in Texas?
- If the Seller’s Disclosure Notice is delivered after the contract effective date, the buyer may terminate for any reason within seven days after receiving it. See Property Code §5.008.
How do I confirm flood risk on a Crestview property?
- Review FEMA flood maps and the City of Austin’s floodplain resources for the specific address. Recent updates are noted in this Federal Register mapping notice.
Could past Austin Energy upgrades exempt my home from ECAD?
- Possibly. Certain whole‑home improvements completed through Austin Energy programs within the past 10 years can qualify for an exemption. Check the criteria in the ECAD FAQs.
