Your home is under contract and there's water in the street. Now what.
Houston buyers know this anxiety. A storm rolls through during the option period — or after it — and suddenly a straightforward transaction has a real question mark. The answers depend almost entirely on where you are in the contract timeline and what your specific agreement says.
If you're inside the option period, you're in the best position. You retain the right to terminate for any reason. A flooding event during this window gives you the opportunity to reassess — get an independent inspector to evaluate the property after the water recedes, understand whether the flooding was a fluke or a pattern, and make an informed decision. Documentation is critical: photograph everything.
If the option period has expired but you haven't closed, the picture is more complex. The Texas contract has provisions for damage occurring before closing, and your agent needs to be working those provisions actively — not waiting to see what the seller offers. The seller's disclosure history on flooding becomes newly material.
After closing, the property is yours. This is why flood disclosure review and independent inspection matter before you get there.
The contract governs. Which is why reading it carefully — before something happens — matters more than most buyers realize. If you're in an active situation, call your agent and your attorney before you do anything else.
This reflects general observations about Texas real estate contract provisions and is not legal advice. Your specific contract terms control your rights and obligations. Consult a real estate attorney for guidance specific to your situation.