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10 Questions to Ask When Buying a House in North Dallas

Updated Nov 7, 2026. By Hilda Avila, REALTOR®, Ebby Halliday Real Estate, LLC.

These are the questions to ask when buying a house that I walk buyers through before they write an offer. Every question below ends in a document you can ask for.

Short answer: When buying a house in North Dallas, start by asking for the Seller’s Disclosure Notice, then work through flood, district, HOA, title, permit, inspection and insurance questions.

Key takeaways

• Start with the Seller’s Disclosure Notice. TREC form 55-1 is the seller’s written account of the home. It is not a warranty or a substitute for an inspection.
• Ask about MUD and PID notices before you sign. Ask for the required notices before you sign. If a notice is missing or arrives late, promptly ask a Texas real estate attorney how the statute, your contract and any applicable deadlines affect your options.
• Get the full monthly cost in writing. Ask your lender for a Loan Estimate that shows taxes, insurance, HOA dues and any MUD or PID cost.
• Every question ends in a document. Bring this list to showings, and take questions 6–10 to your title company, inspector and lender.

Considering a specific home? Send me the address and I’ll help you request these documents and read them with you. Talk with Hilda · Call (469) 802-8711

What this guide is not: general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice (see the note at the end). The list is written for resale homes. A never-occupied new build comes with different paperwork, as question 1 explains.

What are the questions to ask when buying a house in North Dallas?

Here are the 10 questions, in order. For choosing who walks through them with you, see how to choose a Realtor in North Dallas.

Quick reference: the document behind each question

1. Has the seller given me the Seller’s Disclosure Notice, and what does it say?

Ask for: TREC form 55-1, the Seller’s Disclosure Notice (05-04-2026), signed by the seller.

The notice records what the seller knows as of the date signed; the form says it is not a substitute for inspections or warranties and is not a warranty. Read every answer, including “Unknown.”

If the seller delivers it after the contract is signed, the buyer may terminate for any reason within 7 days of receiving it, or before closing, whichever comes first, and get the earnest money back (¶7B(2); Property Code §5.008(f)).

The notice is not required for a new residence that has never been occupied (§5.008(e)), so new builds rely on the builder’s documents. See new construction in North Dallas and resale vs. new construction.

Why it matters: it is the seller’s written account of the home.

Source: TREC Seller’s Disclosure Notice; TREC contract 20-19, ¶7B; Property Code §5.008.

2. Has the home flooded, and is it in a mapped flood zone?

Ask for: the seller’s answers to items 6, 7 and 8 of TREC 55-1, and the FEMA flood map for the address.

Item 6 asks about flood insurance, previous flooding and floodplain location; item 7 about flood claims; item 8 about FEMA or SBA flood assistance. The form defines a 100-year floodplain as one that “has a one percent annual chance of flooding,” and a 500-year floodplain as one that “has a two-tenths of one percent annual chance of flooding.” Its footnote says homes in high-risk flood zones with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to have flood insurance, and that FEMA encourages flood insurance in high-, moderate- and low-risk zones.

Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center yourself, and ask your lender whether flood insurance would be required.

Why it matters: flood status can affect insurance and the loan.

Source: TREC 55-1, items 6-8; FEMA Flood Map Service Center; FloodSmart.

3. Is the property in a MUD or another special district, and what notice do I sign?

Ask for: the district notice to purchasers under Texas Water Code §49.452, and the district’s name.

A MUD is a statutorily created district that provides water, sewer, drainage or flood-control facilities and services (TREC 20-19 ¶6E(3)). The seller must deliver the notice about the district’s tax rate, bonded indebtedness or standby fee before the contract is signed, and the buyer signs it. If a required notice is missing or arrives late, promptly ask a Texas real estate attorney how the statute, your contract and any applicable deadlines affect your options.

Ask your lender to include the district tax in your payment estimate. Confirm whether the district tax is already included in any combined rate or payment estimate you have been given. See also North Dallas property tax rates.

Why it matters: the district tax is part of your yearly cost.

Source: Water Code ch. 49; TREC 20-19, ¶6E(3).

4. Is the property in a Public Improvement District (PID), and what is the assessment?

Ask for: the Property Code §5.014 notice, plus the amount and schedule from the city or county that created the PID.

A PID assessment is separate from HOA dues and property tax. It may be paid in full at any time or in annual installments that vary, and failure to pay can lead to penalties, interest, a lien and foreclosure. PID notice requirements and remedies depend on the applicable statutes and facts. Property Code §5.0141 includes conditions and deadlines, including a filed-service-plan condition for its termination remedy. If a notice is missing or late, consult a Texas real estate attorney promptly rather than assuming you can cancel. The disclosure form has no PID line, so get a “no PID” answer in writing.

Why it matters: a PID installment is a recurring cost tied to the property.

Source: Property Code §5.014 and §5.0141; TREC 20-19, ¶6E(7).

How to check MUD and PID charges for a Celina or Prosper address

A community name or mailing city is not enough to establish the charges on a particular home. Start with the exact parcel, then reconcile the appraisal district information, district or city records, seller notices and title information. Do this before relying on a monthly payment estimate.

1. Identify the property precisely. Record the street address, parcel/account number, county and legal description. If a new-build address is not yet searchable, ask for the lot/block and parcel information rather than treating a failed search as proof that no district applies.
2. Check the appraisal district record. Use Collin Central Appraisal District or the Denton Central Appraisal District public portal, according to the parcel’s county. Record the taxing units and the year of the information. A CAD record is a starting point, not a complete clearance of every assessment.
3. Identify any MUD or other special district by its full name. Request the applicable purchaser notice from the seller or builder, and ask the district or its tax collector to confirm the current information for the parcel. Separate a tax rate from an estimated dollar amount; ask which taxable value was used in any estimate.
4. Check for a PID independently. For a Celina property, start with the city’s Public Improvement Districts page. Ask the municipality or county that created the PID for the applicable service and assessment plan, current annual update and parcel assessment information. For a Prosper address, first confirm the actual parcel and relevant authority rather than assuming that a Celina list or a neighboring community’s arrangement applies.
5. Match the parcel, not just a similar name. Ask the city/district and title company to reconcile the legal description and account or lot information with the notice and assessment schedule. Record the current installment, due date, any outstanding assessment information and where an official payoff quote can be obtained, if relevant. Do not infer a parcel’s assessment from another phase or lot.
6. Request the applicable seller notices and title review. Texas law addresses district notices in Water Code §49.452 and PID notices in Property Code §5.014 and following sections. If information is missing, inconsistent or arrives late, promptly ask your agent and a Texas real estate attorney about your actual contract and deadlines. Do not assume a particular cancellation right applies automatically.
7. Reconcile the payment estimate. Give the confirmed information to your lender. Ask which taxes or assessments are included in escrow, which are paid separately and whether the estimate counts each charge once. Keep HOA dues separate from district charges. For a new build, ask whether the tax assumptions reflect completed construction.

Address-check record to save or print

Fill the blank cells as records arrive. Use “not confirmed” for an unresolved item. A blank or missing search result is not a confirmed zero.

Stop and ask for clarification if the notice, parcel record and payment estimate do not match. This process organizes the questions; it is not a tax opinion, legal review or guarantee that every obligation has been identified.

Contact Hilda about the documents for a home you are considering. Share the address or community and the question you need answered, without sensitive financial or identity documents.

5. Is there a property owners association, and what do its documents say?

Ask for: the HOA’s covenants, the resale certificate (Property Code §207.003), and TREC addendum 36-11.

Paragraph 6E(2) states whether membership is mandatory, and that unpaid assessments can lead to a lien and foreclosure. The resale certificate states the amount and frequency of regular assessments and any lawsuits the association is party to. Who pays HOA closing fees is covered in seller closing costs in Texas.

Why it matters: HOA rules and dues come with the house.

Source: TREC 20-19, ¶6E(2); Property Code §5.012 and §207.003; TREC 36-11.

Halfway through? If you’d like a second set of eyes on the HOA, MUD or PID paperwork for a home, send me the address or call (469) 802-8711.

6. Which appraisal district covers this address, and what are the taxes based on today?

Ask for: the current tax statement or appraisal district record, and which exemptions the current owner has.

Collin and Denton Counties have separate appraisal districts (Collin CAD, Denton CAD). Ask: “Is the current bill based on a homestead exemption I would need to apply for myself?” See Denton CAD vs. Collin CAD.

Why it matters: taxes feed your monthly payment.

Source: Texas Comptroller, property tax.

7. What do the survey and title commitment show?

Ask for: the seller’s survey with a T-47 affidavit (or a new survey), and the title commitment with exception documents.

The seller furnishes the commitment within 20 days after the title company receives the contract (¶6B). Survey options are in ¶6C. The buyer must object in writing by the contract deadline or waives the right (¶6D). Ask whether any fence, shed, pool or addition crosses a line or sits on an easement, and have an attorney or title officer review the commitment.

Why it matters: easements and exceptions limit how you can use the land.

Source: TREC 20-19, ¶6; TREC 55-1, item 4.

8. Were permits pulled for changes, and what repairs have been made?

Ask for: the seller’s answers to items 3, 4, 5 and 9 of TREC 55-1, your city’s permit records, and invoices for listed repairs.

Item 9 asks about “room additions, structural modifications, or other alterations or repairs made without necessary permits or not in compliance with building codes in effect at that time.” Items 3-5 cover known defects, past repairs and items needing repair. Ask for the paperwork behind any “Yes.” Agreed repairs must be completed before closing, with any required permits (¶7F).

Why it matters: past work shapes what you inspect next.

Source: TREC 55-1, items 3, 4, 5, 9; TREC 20-19, ¶7F.

9. What will the inspection cover, and what will it not?

Ask for: your own TREC-licensed inspector and the TREC Property Inspection Report form (REI 7-6).

The TREC form describes a visual survey of what is present, visible and accessible at the time of the inspection; the inspector is not required to identify all potential hazards. Ask: Are you licensed (check the TREC license holder search)? What won’t be inspected? Do you recommend a specialist? Inspections usually happen in the option period, explained in the negotiation guide.

Why it matters: it is your own look at the home’s condition.

Source: TREC 20-19, ¶5 and ¶7A; TREC REI 7-6.

10. Can I insure this home, and what will my full monthly payment include?

Ask for: the seller’s insurance answers in item 9 of TREC 55-1, your own quote, and a Loan Estimate.

Item 9 asks whether the “Seller has been unable to insure the Property for any reason.” Compare home policies on HelpInsure.com, run by the Texas Department of Insurance and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel. The CFPB says the lender must provide a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application. Ask that it show taxes, insurance, HOA dues and any MUD or PID cost.

Why it matters: these are all part of the monthly cost.

Source: TREC 55-1, item 9; HelpInsure; CFPB: What is a Loan Estimate?.

What would I do with this list?

Bring it to showings. Before writing an offer, ask the listing agent for the documents behind questions 1 through 5 and read them with your agent. Take the rest to your title company, inspector and lender. If you are buying your first home, start with the first-time homebuyer guide and the buyer resources. Para leer en español: Comprar casa en Dallas.

Answers to some of these questions, like MUD and PID notices, flood history and tax rates, vary by city. My area guides for Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Prosper and Celina, plus the North Dallas overview, are a good next stop.

Want to walk through this list for a home you’re considering?

Tell me the address or the city you’re looking at. I’ll help you request these documents and read them with you.

Talk with Hilda · Call (469) 802-8711

Frequently asked questions

What is the Seller’s Disclosure Notice in Texas?

It is TREC form 55-1, a form where the seller states what they know about the property’s condition, such as flooding, repairs, permits and insurance. It reflects the seller’s knowledge on the date signed, and the form says it is not a warranty or a substitute for inspections.

Can I cancel after receiving the Seller’s Disclosure Notice?

Under the TREC contract (¶7B(2)) and Property Code §5.008(f), if the seller delivers the notice after the contract is signed, the buyer may terminate for any reason within 7 days of receiving it, or before closing, whichever comes first. If you already had it when you signed, that right does not apply. Confirm with your agent or attorney.

How do I find out if a house is in a MUD or a PID?

Confirm the exact parcel and county, check the appraisal district’s taxing units, request the applicable seller notices and separately confirm any PID through the municipality or county’s assessment records. Ask the district and title company to reconcile the information for that parcel, then have your lender identify which charges are included in its payment estimate. A community name or a CAD search alone is not proof that no assessment applies.

Do Texas sellers have to disclose flooding?

The Seller’s Disclosure Notice (TREC 55-1) asks directly about previous flooding, flood insurance, flood claims, FEMA assistance and floodplain location, based on what the seller knows. It does not replace a FEMA map lookup, an inspection or a lender’s flood determination. A never-occupied new home is generally exempt from the notice.

Do I still need an inspection if the seller gave me a disclosure notice?

Yes. The notice says it is not a substitute for inspections. A TREC-licensed inspector reports on the visible, accessible condition of the home on the day of the inspection, which is different from the seller’s knowledge. Do it within your contract’s deadlines.

This guide is general information about common Texas practices and the standard TREC contract and forms. It is not legal, tax or insurance advice, and it is not a recommendation about any specific home. Your signed contract and the documents for the property control. For questions about your contract, taxes, insurance or legal rights, talk with your title company, your lender, a licensed insurance agent, or a real estate attorney.

Hilda Avila, REALTOR® · Ebby Halliday Real Estate, LLC · TREC #803801 · Broker #257740