TREC Unimproved Property Contract

What Is a TREC Unimproved Property Contract?

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) promulgates the contract forms that Texas real estate license holders must use for the transactions they cover, with limited exceptions. For a home resale the promulgated form is the One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale); for land without buildings it is the Unimproved Property Contract. There is no TREC form called "Improved Property Contract". The Unimproved Property Contract is for land without physical buildings, additions or fixtures, generally platted lots, where the intended use is one to four family residences; it is not for condominiums. The current edition is TREC No. 9-18, dated 05-04-2026 and mandatory since July 1, 2026 (the blank on this page is TREC No. 9-14 of 11-10-2020).

Unimproved land versus commercial forms

TREC does not promulgate commercial contracts: the "Commercial Contract - Improved Property" is Texas REALTORS form TXR 1801, available to that association's members, and commercial land sales use that association's forms, an attorney-drafted contract or a form supplied by the buyer or seller. The TREC Unimproved Property Contract is the form for a residential lot sale with no structure on the land.

How to Fill Out the TREC Unimproved Property Contract

The TREC unimproved property contract might seem complex at first glance, but if you break it down, it's quite simple. Here's a basic guideline on how to fill out this form: 

1. Start filling out the form by entering parties' names under the 'Parties' section (paragraph 1): provide full legal names of both buyer and seller without any abbreviations.
2. Under 'Property' (paragraph 2), provide the lot, block, addition, city, county, address and zip code of the unimproved property (or attach the legal description as an exhibit).
3. In 'Sales Price' (paragraph 3), enter the cash portion of the price payable at closing (3A), the total of any financing described in the attached Third Party Financing, Loan Assumption or Seller Financing Addendum (3B), and their sum, the Sales Price (3C).
4. In the 'Leases' section (paragraph 4), disclose any existing leases affecting the property and provide the details the form asks for.
5. In 'Earnest Money and Termination Option' (paragraph 5), name the escrow agent and enter the earnest money and, if the parties negotiate a termination option, the option fee and the option period in days after the effective date; the money must reach the escrow agent within 3 days after the effective date (a deadline that falls on a weekend or legal holiday moves to the next business day), and notice of termination must be given by 5:00 p.m. local time on the last day of the option period.
6. In 'Title Policy and Survey' (paragraph 6), specify who will pay for the owner's title policy, choose one survey option and set its delivery period, and say who pays for a new survey if one is required.
7. Specify details related to property conditions under 'Property Condition' (paragraph 7).
8. Complete paragraph 8 when a broker or sales agent is a party or acts for a spouse, parent, child, an entity more than 10% owned by that license holder, or a trust covered by the paragraph. Make the written disclosure before entering the sales contract. Put broker contact details on the broker information page.
9. Enter the closing date in paragraph 9; closing is on or before that date or within 7 days after title objections are cured or waived, whichever is later.
10. Paragraph 10 (Possession) is pre-printed: the seller delivers possession upon closing and funding; a temporary lease, if any, is listed among the addenda in paragraph 22.
11. Paragraph 11 (Special Provisions) may hold only factual statements and business details applicable to the sale; license holders may not add matters for which TREC has promulgated a form for mandatory use, and, when acting as agents, may not draft language defining or affecting the parties' contractual rights, obligations or remedies.
12. Complete the negotiated entries in paragraph 12. Review paragraphs 13, 17, 18 and 20, which contain preprinted terms.
13. In the 'Notices' section (paragraph 21), fill out addresses, phone numbers, and email/fax details for all parties.
14. Under 'Agreement of Parties' (paragraph 22), check all applicable boxes for the addenda and notices that form part of the contract.
15. In 'Consult an Attorney Before Signing' (paragraph 23), provide contact details of both the buyer's and seller's attorneys.
16. The broker fills in the date of final acceptance (the effective date) in the 'Date of Final Acceptance' field.
17. The final step is to provide signatures and names of both buyer and seller. If signing on behalf of a company, provide the company name. 

When to use TREC unimproved property contract?

This contract is used for land with no physical buildings, additions or fixtures, where the buyer intends a one to four family residence; land with any structure uses a different form. Using this contract, the buyer and seller can set the terms, condition, and price of the transaction, protecting both parties' interests.