A Public Improvement District, also known as a PID, is created by developers or communities to fund infrastructure or enhancements of neighborhoods. A PID may fund a new playground in a subdivision or a repair of its pool, for example, similar to the way a Homeowners’ Association functions. As of September 1, 2021, House Bill […]
Category: Real Estate Law
What is Marketable Title in Texas?
While owning a home is a goal for many people, the road from finding a home to actually moving into that home is often not straightforward and simple. Even when the buyer and seller reach an agreement about sales price, contracts may fall through for any number of reasons. One of the reasons that a […]
Notice to Tenants About Properties in a Floodplain
Severe flooding in Texas in recent years has increased awareness about the importance of floodplains. Reflecting that concern, the 87th session of the Texas Legislature amended a law, effective January 1, 2022, about how and when residential tenants must receive notification that the rental property is at risk of flooding. Definition of a Flood Risk […]
Texas Builder Contracts for Residential Construction
A property owner invests large sums of money as well as great faith in a builder who is constructing a custom house. Before the construction begins, owner and contractor should discuss key points, agreeing on such issues as time frame, materials, costs, and contingency plans. A residential construction contract documents those agreements, ensuring that everyone […]
Survivorship Agreements for Real Estate in Texas
One of the biggest legal myths in Texas is that jointly owned property automatically goes to the surviving co-owner upon one owner’s death. Once a joint owner (co-tenant) of property dies without a will, Texas intestacy law governs the distribution of the deceased owner’s interest in the property. One of the easiest ways for co-owners […]
Texas Assumption Deed of Trust
A deed of trust in Texas transfers title of real property in trust and is often used as part of a real estate transaction that includes a Warranty Deed with a Vendor’s Lien and a Promissory Note. It functions in a way similar to mortgages used in other states. As the title indicates, in a […]
Owelty of Partition Deeds in Texas
Co-ownership of property provides many advantages for owners if everyone agrees about the shared property and its use. When relationships, finances, or other factors change, however, co-ownership may no longer be the best option. Fortunately, Texas laws provide several options for opting out of co-ownership without great difficulty or cost. One such option is an […]
Partition Deeds in Texas
Joint ownership of land is common throughout Texas. Since relationships and situations can change, though, Texas law provides a way for joint owners to voluntarily divide the property. Let’s say, for example, that siblings are named co-owners of land that they inherited from their parents. Perhaps the arrangement works well until one sibling wants to […]
The Purpose of the Railroad Commission of Texas
The Texas Railroad Commission, also known as the Railroad Commission of Texas, performs an essential role in Texas, but its title is deceptive. Created in 1891 when the cattle industry was a dominant force in our state’s economy, the TRC at that time regulated the railroads which brought Texas cattle to markets across the country. […]
Changes to Filing the Texas Homestead Exemption
Texas homeowners have always had a homestead exemption available to them for their primary residence. This exemption helps to lower property taxes for homeowners by excluding a portion of the appraised value of the home from its taxable value. For example, an exemption of $25,000 from a home’s taxable value is available from most Texas […]