Selling a Van Alstyne house

Grayson County, with a small part in Collin County

Van Alstyne had 7,220 residents in the Census Bureau's 2024 estimate. The Census places most of the city's residents in Grayson County, and it also counts a small part, with fewer than 100 residents, in Collin County. Because the two counties keep separate records, start by confirming which one your lot is in: read the county named on your tax statement, or search the address on each appraisal district's site.

Grayson County side. The Comptroller's Grayson County directory lists the City of Van Alstyne among the units the Grayson Central Appraisal District appraises for, and lists the City of Van Alstyne and Van Alstyne ISD among the units the Grayson County Tax Assessor-Collector (100 W. Houston St., Sherman) collects for. Deeds go to the Grayson County Clerk, whose real property records run from 1846 to the present.

Collin County side. The Collin Central Appraisal District is at 250 Eldorado Pkwy in McKinney (469.742.9200). Its tax rates and exemptions table lists Van Alstyne City and Van Alstyne ISD among its taxing entities, along with Van Alstyne MUD #2 and MUD #3, so check your statement for any utility district tax. Deeds for land in Collin County are recorded through the Collin County Clerk's land recordings office, 2300 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney.

Starting and stopping city utilities

The city's utility billing page sets these terms for starting service at a Van Alstyne address:

• a Utility Service Application submitted at least 24 hours before service starts, with a picture ID, plus a copy of the lease if you are renting;
• a $150.00 deposit and a $50.00 service fee, payable by cash, check or money order only;
• bills mailed on or before the 1st and due on the 15th, with disconnection for nonpayment on or after the 26th and a reconnection fee of $100.00 during business hours or $200.00 after hours.

When you sell, the deposit is held until a Disconnection of Service request is received and a final bill is processed; it is applied to the final balance and any remaining credit is refunded. The code backs this up: under section 44-260, consumers wishing to discontinue service "shall give written notice thereof at the city hall," and failing to do so leaves them liable for all bills until that notice is given. Section 44-253 adds that a deposit does not transfer to a new location; a move is treated as a new application.

The Residential Utility CO Inspection

Van Alstyne's utility billing section also has a Residential Utility CO Inspection request page. Inspections are done weekly on Thursdays, and requests must come in by Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. The page says the inspection cannot be completed unless these items are in place:

1. the exterior is clean and in a safe and sanitary condition;
2. high grass and weeds are under control;
3. address numerals at least 4 inches tall are fixed to the house and visible from the road frontage;
4. sewer cleanouts are at grade and free of debris and concrete;
5. city sidewalks and the approach are clean, safe and clear;
6. meter boxes are at grade, accessible, lidded and cleaned out with the meter nuts visible.

The page does not say which transactions trigger the inspection, so ask the utility billing office at 152 N. Main Dr., (903) 482-5426, before closing.

Substandard buildings and homestead limits

Chapter 8, Article III of the city code covers buildings that fail minimum housing standards. If an order to vacate, secure, repair, remove or demolish is not met, section 8-66 lets the city do the work at its own expense or assess a civil penalty "not to exceed $1,000.00 per day for each violation," or, if the owner shows the property is the owner's lawful homestead, not to exceed $10.00 per day for each violation, once the city has proved the owner was notified of the requirements and, after notification, failed to comply.

Under section 8-68, the city imposes a lien for the repair, removal or demolition expenses or the civil penalty, "unless it is a homestead as protected by the state Constitution," and files a notice of the lien with the county clerk. For an unoccupied building, section 8-69 lets the city secure it before giving notice; notice must follow before the 11th day, and the owner may file a written request for a hearing with the city clerk within 30 days. The hearing is held within 20 days after the request.

An inherited Van Alstyne house

When a Van Alstyne homeowner dies, the probate case is generally filed in the county where that person lived (Estates Code 33.001). For most residents that is Grayson County, where the County Clerk's probate page posts small estate affidavit forms and a checklist and offers an online probate records search from 1983 to the present. If the house sits empty while the estate is settled, keep the lot mowed and the meter box clear so it is ready for an inspection or a buyer. Our page on selling an inherited house in Texas covers the next steps.

Selling to Cash Home Advisors

You can sell the Van Alstyne house as-is to Cash Home Advisors, without making repairs. We pay all closing costs, and we can close in 7–14 days. Se habla español.

Share the address on our offer request form, read how it works, or estimate what you would keep with the net proceeds calculator.

Local offices for this area

• Grayson Central Appraisal District
• Texas Comptroller, Grayson County appraisal and tax office directory
• Grayson County Clerk, Real Property Records
• Collin Central Appraisal District
• City of Van Alstyne Utility Billing
• City of Van Alstyne Residential Utility CO Inspection

ZIP codes we buy in: 75495