The Texas Real Estate Commission’s Broker-Lawyer Committee met on January 8 and 9, 2026, to continue its review of the Commission’s contract forms. The committee discussed several changes aimed at reorganizing and clarifying existing language in the contracts.
One of the main topics was broker compensation. The committee recommended revisions to Paragraph 12, including a reorganization of Paragraph 12A(1) and the addition of a new Paragraph 12B that addresses brokerage compensation. It also suggested removing Paragraph 8B.
Regarding delivery of notices, the committee proposed updates to Paragraph 21 to clarify which delivery methods are acceptable and when notices become effective. The revised paragraph gives more options for providing contact information for buyers, sellers, and agents.
To improve usability, all addenda and notices would be moved into Paragraph 22 under clearly labeled categories such as Financial, Leases, Additional Tests and Reports, Statutory Disclosures and Notices, and Other. Some references in Paragraph 6 that required addenda attachments were removed to reduce redundancy. Additionally, subsection Paragraph 6(E)(12) was struck from the form.
The committee addressed government reporting requirements by recommending language in Paragraph 20 requiring buyers and sellers to promptly provide information requested by escrow agents for governmental reporting purposes. Buyers would be responsible for any costs related to this process.
For back-up contracts, an amendment was proposed so that the effective date becomes when the seller delivers notice of termination of the first contract instead of when the buyer receives it. A new voluntary form titled Seller’s Notice to Buyer of Removal of Contingency under Addendum for ‘Back-Up’ Contract was also drafted.
Other updates included adding “generator” to Paragraph 2B in contract forms and further revising draft water notice language in Paragraph 7I.
The updated drafts will be sent to the Commission for review at its next meeting in February with a request that they be published for public comment. If adopted after public input, these changes could take effect as early as June 2026.
The Broker-Lawyer Committee plans additional meetings on April 10, July 10, and October 9 in 2026.
