People who purchase real estate expect to be able to do whatever they desire with their own property. They can refinance and use the home as collateral for a loan. They can sell the property to someone else whenever they want. Typically, owners can make their own...
Real Estate Disputes
Understanding the importance of a party wall agreement
Americans are living closer together than ever – not just in urban areas, but in many suburban areas as well. That means the walls that separate our properties can have a big effect on our quality of life – and can be the source of serious disputes. These common or...
What is a prescriptive easement?
Prescriptive easements can significantly affect land ownership and use. Understanding the concept of a prescriptive easement, how one is established, and its implications for property owners is essential for anyone involved in real estate or land use. In Texas, a...
Can private owners restrict access to a Texas lake?
Lakes come in all shapes and sizes in Texas. Some lakes are small and may only hold water during certain parts of the year. They may dry up when the weather is hot or rain is scarce. Other lakes cover numerous acres and are present year-round regardless of...
Your legal options if you suspect home inspector negligence
When purchasing a home, hiring a home inspector is an important step in ensuring that the property does not have any hidden problems. However, there are situations when a home inspector may fail to identify significant defects or issues within the property. If this...
Can a property owner prevent access to a stream or river?
Water access can be crucial for someone's agricultural endeavors or use of their property. People sometimes select specific parcels because they are close to reliable sources of water. The properties that actually contain streams or rivers can be both prohibitively...
What if you disagree with the results of a land survey?
Land surveys are often used before real estate transactions are finalized or to solve boundary disputes – but what happens when you think a surveyor’s report is wrong? Whether the survey directly conflicts with a previous survey (and puts you at a disadvantage) or...
Who pays when the seller damages the home while moving out?
The condition of the property that someone wants to buy has a major impact on how much they pay. Fixer-uppers often command more reasonable prices, while properties in pristine, turnkey condition may be far more expensive. The price negotiated for the property is...
3 leading causes of boundary disputes
Ideally, you want to want to get along just fine with your neighbors. However, it is not uncommon to run into a disagreement with a neighbor from time to time. Tension can involve a boundary dispute with your neighbor, which can escalate into a full-fledged conflict...
Why you can’t just ignore the fence over your boundary line
Maybe you have a commercial property that you have not fully developed, and a neighbor has recently started a business at an adjacent building. They put up a fence, and you can't help but notice that it is over the boundary line. You might also have a residential...
