Does your Business Entity have a Real Estate Licence?
Mar 18, 2015
Did your accountant, business advisor, or attorney tell you that you "should" form a limited liability
company (LLC), a corporation, or a partnership for your brokerage activities? While there may b...
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RESPA and Escrow Accounts
Feb 18, 2015
Section 10 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) limits the amount of money a lender may require the borrower to hold in an escrow account for payment of taxes, insurance, etc. RESPA al...
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Rebates and Referrals – What’s the difference?
Feb 04, 2015
Definition of a Rebate A rebate is part of a license holder’s commission that the license holder gives to a principal in a transaction in which the license holder represents one of the parties. A reb...
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The Practice of Law -- Do You Know Your Limits as a Real Estate Agent?
Feb 04, 2015
A client asks, “Can you write this contract so I can
lease-to-own?” “Is the other party to this contract in
breach?” Know Your Limits- Because real estate agents work with contracts that define a pe...
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Valuation of Property for Tax Purposes
Jan 20, 2015
Tax Code Section 23.01 requires all taxable property to be appraised at market its value as of Jan. 1. Market value is the price at which a property would transfer for cash or its equivalent under pre...
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Property Tax Appraisal Protests and Appeals
Jan 20, 2015
Your most important right as a taxpayer is your right to protest to the appraisal review board (ARB). You may protest if you disagree with the appraisal district value or any of the appraisal district...
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Landlord / Tenant Disputes
Jan 19, 2015
The relationship between Texas landlords and their tenants is governed by several statutes, particularly Chapter 92 of the Texas Property Code, and by various court rulings. However, the most importan...
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Mortgages
Jan 16, 2015
Choosing a mortgage that's right for you can be the difference between successful home ownership and foreclosure. Take time to find a reputable lender that offers you a mortgage with terms you underst...
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Avoiding Pitfalls and Scams when Purchasing a Home
Jan 16, 2015
Understand the documents you sign. No matter what anyone tells you, the written terms are the most important. If you were promised something that is different from the purchase agreement, it can be co...
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Improvement Contracts For Homesteads
Jan 11, 2015
What the Law Says
Any contract you sign for work on your homestead must contain the following warning next to the space for your signature:
"Important Notice: You and your contractor are responsib...
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