SOLD: 1018 Hillcrest, Durant, OK | The Solar Loan That Almost Sank the Sale

What made 1018 Hillcrest stand out?

When we first listed this home in early 2025, the big selling point was obvious the moment you pulled up: more than an acre of land with a cozy, easy-to-manage house on it. Plenty of starter homes in Durant sit on small city lots. This one gave its next owner space for a garden, pets, a future workshop, or simply room to breathe.

Inside, the layout was simple and practical:

• 🏡 A bright living area with good natural light
• A functional kitchen with solid cabinet and counter space
• Two bedrooms that work for a small household, guests, or a home office
• A clean, well-kept bathroom

It wasn't a showpiece, and it didn't need to be. It was the kind of home a first-time buyer can move into, make their own over time, and build equity in.

Why do starter homes on land get so much interest?

Buyers at this price point are often choosing between a small in-town lot and a place farther out in the country. A home like Hillcrest splits the difference: close to Durant's schools, shopping, and services, but with a yard big enough to feel like a little piece of the country. That mix tends to draw steady attention, including from first-time buyers and people looking to downsize.

If that sounds like what you're after, keep an eye on homes under $100K, homes $100K–$200K, and properties under 5 acres in the area.

How did solar panels almost cost us this sale?

On a $110,000 starter home, the biggest problem wasn't the house, the land or the buyer. It was the solar panels on the roof.

Nearly $30,000 still owed

The panels had been financed, and there was almost $30,000 left on the solar loan. That's more than a quarter of what the whole property sold for. A solar loan like this is usually secured by a UCC-1 fixture filing, a public notice that gives the lender a claim on the equipment. Title companies and mortgage lenders flag those filings, and they generally have to be paid off and released before a buyer's loan will close.

The solar company was gone

To make it harder, the company that sold and installed the system had gone out of business and been bought by another company. Getting a straight answer on the payoff, the lien release and who stood behind the system meant tracking down a business that wasn't the one our sellers had signed with.

We almost lost the sale, and the sellers lost money

The loan didn't transfer to the buyer, so it had to be paid off at closing out of our sellers' proceeds. We came close to losing the deal while it got sorted out. The sale did close, but the sellers effectively paid off the panels and handed them to the new owner.

Should you put solar panels on a Texoma home you might sell?

Solar can make sense for some homeowners. Just go in knowing what it means when you sell.

• Owned vs. financed vs. leased matters. A national study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that systems the homeowner owns outright can add value, but leased and third-party-owned systems are harder to appraise and can complicate a sale. Financed systems carry a payoff that has to be dealt with at closing.
• Ask about transfer before you sign. Find out in writing whether a buyer can assume the loan or lease, what they have to qualify for, and what it costs.
• Know about the UCC-1 filing. Ask the lender whether one will be recorded against the panels, and how to get it released.
• Plan for the payoff. Keep your current payoff balance handy and factor it into your net proceeds when you price your home.
• Find out who backs the system if the installer disappears. Solar companies do go under. SunPower filed for bankruptcy in August 2024, and the company that bought its assets didn't take responsibility for systems installed before the sale. Your loan payments don't stop just because the installer is gone, so know who holds the loan and the equipment warranties.
• Tell your agent early. If you have solar, say so before listing so the payoff and paperwork are lined up before a buyer is under contract.

What else did it take to get this home to the closing table?

• Pricing it right for the market. Starter-home buyers watch their budgets closely, so the price had to make sense against nearby sales.
• Showing off the land. Photos and marketing focused on the full 1.35 acres, not just the house, so buyers understood the value.
• Keeping financing on track. Buyers at this level often use FHA, VA, USDA or other programs with appraisal requirements. Staying ahead of inspection and appraisal items kept things moving.
• Working the solar problem. Tracking down the payoff and lien release from a company that had changed hands, while keeping the buyer in the deal.

To our sellers: thank you for sticking with it through a frustrating stretch. And to the buyers: welcome home. We hope that land gives you years of good memories.

What's it like living in Durant, OK?

Durant is the county seat of Bryan County and the biggest hub on the Oklahoma side of Lake Texoma. Residents have Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Choctaw Casino & Resort, local shops and restaurants, and quick access to the lake for boating and fishing. U.S. 69/75 connects Durant to Denison and Sherman in Texas.

Nearby towns like Calera, Bokchito, and Mead give buyers even more options at a range of price points.

Thinking of selling in Durant?

If you own a home in Durant or anywhere in Bryan County, including smaller homes and homes on land, there's demand for well-priced properties. Start with a free home value estimate, read our home selling guide, and browse more of our sold homes. Our Durant Realtors page explains how we work locally.

Photos of 1018 Hillcrest Ave, Durant, OK

Frequently asked questions

How much did 1018 Hillcrest in Durant sell for?

It closed on June 17, 2025 for $110,000.

How big was the home at 1018 Hillcrest?

It had 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and about 944 square feet on 1.35 acres.

What happened with the solar panels at 1018 Hillcrest?

The panels were financed and had almost $30,000 left on the loan. The installer had gone out of business and been bought by another company, and the loan had to be paid off from the sellers' proceeds at closing. It nearly cost them the sale.

Do solar panels add value to a home in Oklahoma?

It depends. Research shows owned systems can add value, but financed and leased systems often don't, and they can complicate a sale. In our experience in Bryan County, buyers and appraisers give financed panels little to no credit.

Can a buyer take over my solar loan?

Only if your loan or lease allows it and the buyer qualifies. Many don't transfer, so check your agreement before you list.

Are there affordable homes with land in Durant?

They do come up, though inventory changes often. Set up a search for homes under $200K and small acreage so you see new listings quickly.

How do I find out what my Durant home is worth?

Request a free estimate on our home value page, and we'll follow up with a local comparison based on recent nearby sales.

Related reading

• Affordable homes for sale in Durant, OK under $200K
• Is an FHA loan right for you?
• Steps to selling your home in Texoma
• Durant, Oklahoma: gateway to Lake Texoma

Want your Durant home to be our next SOLD story? Let's talk about your timeline and what your home could bring. Call or text Love My Texoma Home Team | INC Realty at (580) 217-7435.

Sources: LBNL solar home value research; Solar loan liens and selling your home; EnergySage on the SunPower bankruptcy. General information, not legal or financial advice.

Listing data from MLS Technology, Inc. #2509826. Love My Texoma Home Team | INC Realty.