Many folks decide to go into or open a new business everyday. It is part of the American culture to be an entrepreneur. While it is wonderful to “be your own boss,” it does come at a cost and with risk. Following fast on the heels of a decision to go into a particular kind …
Big Brother, Federal Government Regulation, is coming to residential real estate transactions. This is on the heals of the Corporate Transparency Act (discussed in an earlier column). Issued on February 7, 2024, with a stated purpose of “combat[ing] and deter[ing] money laundering in the U.S. residential real estate sector by increasing transparency, the Residential Rule …
Continue reading “Federal Regulation of Residential Real Estate”
It is time of year again, Sam Houston State University Fall semester has begun. With the start of a new Fall semester, there is a flurry of activity with regard to rental property. Whether you own an apartment complex, rent house(s) or just rent a garage apartment, there are some things you should consider as …
Continue reading “Landlord and Tenant Relationships – Tis the Season”
Several years ago, my family took a trip to New York City. While there the Boys and I visited Central Park, a wonderful 843 acres of landscaped greenery in the middle of Manhattan. I was curious as to how Central Park was created and found it to be a good educational opportunity for the Boys. …
Continue reading “Preserving our Past Through Conservation Easements”
Again, this week I am writing about information that might be beneficial if you have a farm, ranch or rural property for hunting. Heck, it might even apply if you raise vegetables to sell at the Saturday Farmers Market in front of O’Reilly Auto Parts. The Texas Legislature addressed a few right to farm topics …
Many of you are aware of real estate that is leased for solar panel and windmill fields, but if you have farm or ranch property, these are not the only options for additional revenue. Carbon storage contracts are a relatively new tool that may not interfere with the current use of the property. Additionally, there …
The Fifth Amendment states, “nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.” My initial, inexperienced impression was that this clause meant just what it said. And over the years, my conviction has not changed that this straightforward language indeed indicates an unequivocal truth—that the Constitution prohibits takings for private use. I …
Occasionally I run into situations between unmarried individuals owning property together. This can be a result of two or more people purchasing property together, but more often it is a result of two or more people inheriting property from a deceased individual. Attorneys often face co-ownership issues when advising on inheritance and probate avoidance. Inheritance …
A common legal myth that is often heard in cafes and barber shops around Texas is that property cannot be landlocked because a neighboring landowner is required to allow entry. This is simply false. Understanding this can be important for both the landlocked owners and neighboring landowners so that each party understands his or her rights.
There are a number of steps for a landowner to consider in order to protect himself or herself from liability. Importantly, there is no magic solution that will ensure a landowner will never be liable for injury. Further, there is nothing a landowner can do to prevent a person from filing suit against the landowner.
