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...
Real Estate Disputes
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...
Should I allow my neighbor to use part of my property?
Suppose you have a big yard that you are not currently using. Your neighbor, whose yard is considerably smaller, has a child who is a rising young soccer star. One day, you notice that the child’s soccer goal has been moved to a section of your property. Should you...
Mitigating boundary dispute tensions before they escalate
Real estate boundary disputes can quickly escalate into major conflicts, creating tension between neighbors and potentially leading to costly legal battles. Proactively addressing these issues and seeking resolution before they escalate is not always possible....
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 reasons you can end up fighting with a neighbor
One thing people tend to ruin relationships between neighbors is property line disputes. Very few people enjoy finding out that their property was used by someone else. Many property line disputes can be caught early with a land surveyor. But, if you believe your...
