The intersection of blockchain technology and real estate law is a novel yet increasingly relevant field of study. As blockchain continues to show its versatility beyond its origins in cryptocurrency, it holds the potential to revolutionize various industries, including property transactions. This post explores how smart contracts could reshape the real estate landscape in Texas, […]
Category: Real Estate Law
Prepayment of Residential Mortgage Loans in Texas
Most of the clients who come to our firm with concerns about their mortgage want to know what could happen to them if they are unable to make their payments, or how best to limit their financial exposure for payments they have already missed. Far fewer approach us with questions about what they should do […]
The Texas Recording Statute
Recording in General Some people mistakenly believe that merely having a signed deed is evidence of clear ownership of real property and all that is needed to enforce your claim. Although the process has evolved over time and may vary from state to state, the overwhelming majority of states, if not all of them, stress […]
Understanding S.B. No. 147: Implications for Foreign Property Ownership in Texas
Recently, the Texas legislature considered some bills that, if eventually passed into law, would have major implications for both current and prospective property owners in Texas. One of those bills was considered in the 88th Texas legislative session—S.B. No. 147, a bill particularly concerning for foreign individuals and entities. While the 88th legislative session is […]
Texas Home Buying Basics: Earnest Money and the Termination Option
First-time home buyers in Texas may find themselves overwhelmed with unfamiliar terminology surrounding the purchase process. To protect their interests, such buyers should work to gain a basic understanding of the fundamentals of a home purchase before committing themselves to a contract. Two of the basic concepts of the typical home purchase with which every […]
The Statute of Repose and Construction Defects
What is the Statute of Repose? The term may lead one to think of the statute of limitations to bring certain actions under Texas law, and while it may operate in a similar fashion, there is one important caveat. A statute of limitation bars a cause of action following an injury or damages, or the […]
Issues When Leasing Your Property to a Solar Panel Company in Texas
If you own land in Texas, you may be approached by a solar panel company wanting to lease all or a part of your property to install a “solar panel farm,” basically, acres and acres of electricity-generating solar panels. A typical solar panel farm requires hundreds of acres of empty land in a location that […]
Allocating HOA “Buy-In” When Purchasing or Selling a Home in Texas
Homes located within developed subdivisions in Texas are often subject to mandatory membership in the subdivision’s Homeowners’ Association (HOA). The membership requirement is typically found in a restrictive covenant or other recorded instrument that affects the house itself, meaning that the owner of the home cannot sell the property without the buyer being subject to […]
Potential Complications of Adding a Non-Married Partner to a Deed in Texas
When it comes to real estate ownership, adding a non-married partner’s name to a property deed is a significant decision that can have legal and financial implications. While it’s relatively straightforward for married couples to add a spouse’s name to a deed, the process becomes more complex for non-married couples in Texas. Some of the […]
The Practicalities of Early Lease Termination in Texas
Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, residential tenants decide that it is not feasible for them to finish out the terms of their leases and that they need to move out early. While by no means ideal, early termination is sometimes a necessity — or the best of a bunch of bad options. Tenants in […]