July 2012

How much house can Texans afford? According to the National Association of Realtors’ and Real Estate Center’s affordability indexes, way more than residents of other states.

Licensees, here’s a heads up for your first-time buyers. This state program offers loans with or without down payment and closing cost assistance.

Think of a snowball rolling down a hill, getting bigger and bigger (fast). Now imagine that snowball is the penalties and interest you owe for paying your property taxes late. Get the picture?

Texas land markets encompass widely varying land types, including irrigated, cropland, desert land, native rangeland and timber land. The region-by-region article covers which types are selling and which are not.

All wills are not alike. Self-proving wills are simpler to probate because they do not require sworn testimony or an affidavit from someone who witnessed the will or knows the deceased’s handwriting.

Trivia question: Other than the costs of owning or renting, what determines the proportion of owned homes and rental units in Texas metros? Answer: College enrollment rate.

Buyers can defer payments and invest purchase money. Sellers can benefit from increased cash flow. There can be an upside to commercial installment sales.

From political signs to solar panels to flagpoles, new state legislation mandates ways in which property owners’ associations can and cannot restrict property use.