As a restaurant owner, signing a commercial lease, particularly a long-term triple net lease, requires careful consideration. This type of lease can significantly impact your business's profitability and future growth. Ultimately, you have to make decisions that are...
Real Estate
Is home appraisal during purchase really necessary?
A home purchase is, without a doubt, the largest transaction most people will ever get into. It doesn’t matter if you are buying a family home, a vacation home or an investment, a home purchase is a huge undertaking – financially and legally speaking. As such, it...
Three things to know about Texas mechanics liens
There was a time when a handshake was all that was needed to solidify an agreement. Those in business could come to an agreement, shake on it and that was that. Unfortunately, too many people took advantage of handshake and similar agreements — failing to follow...
4 basic provisions in a real estate contract to know before buying property in Texas
Real estate is arguably the largest transaction that we enter during our lifetime. As such, it is important to do a little research and have a basic understanding of how the process works and the legal documents that guide the transfer. When it comes to buying...
Contract dispute: When does a real estate agent get paid?
As a real estate agent, you work on commission. Since your pay depends on the final price of the property, the details of the payment, like the timing, can get tricky. The following will dive into some of the common questions and problems that real estate agents need...
Can a squatter claim my land?
Someone who is on our land without our permission should not be able to claim it as their own — should they? The answer depends on a number of factors, but often involves the legal theory of adverse possession. What is adverse possession? Adverse possession refers to...
Negotiating a commercial real estate deal? Avoid these 3 errors.
The commercial real estate sector can provide a solid opportunity for financial growth. Those looking to invest in this market can learn from others’ mistakes. Some of the more common that apply to pretty much every commercial real estate deal include the following....
Thinking of a like-kind exchange? Avoid this big error.
Owning real estate can be a great way to diversify your investment portfolio. Those who choose to own real estate often rely on a 1031, or like-kind exchange, to help provide the ability to defer capital gains taxes on a property the owner chooses to sell as long as...
What should I know about like-kind exchanges?
In general, whenever you sell a property for an increase compared to when you purchased it, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) expects you to pay capital gains taxes. Section 1031 of the United States Internal Revenue Code allows for real estate owners to defer paying...
Do you know what you’re signing up for in a commercial lease?
If you are opening a new business in Texas or expanding your current enterprise, finding a space to operate can be a top priority. Initially, you will likely focus on finding space that is the right size with the right amenities in the right location. When you find...