Real Estate Law

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Attorney Services

What Happens When You Call The Daughtrey Law Firm

Most people who call a law firm for the first time do not know what to expect. They worry about being pressured, billed for the call, or made to feel foolish for not knowing the legal terms. They have a situation they need help with, but picking up the phone feels like a bigger commitment than it actually is. This page explains exactly what happens when you contact The Daughtrey Law Firm. Step by step. No legal jargon and no surprises. In This Article: Step 1: A Real Person Answers Step 2: You Describe Your Situation in Your Own Words Step 3: The Team Asks a Few Specific Questions Step 4: The Team Tells You Whether the Firm Can Help Step 5: No Obligation, No Pressure Step 6: If You Move Forward, Here Is What Happens Next Who This Firm Was Built For Ready to Call? Common Questions Before the

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Real Estate Law

Protect Your Texas Property: Stop Deed Fraud Now

Deed fraud is a growing issue for property owners in Texas. Real estate investors face an increasing threat from deed theft, a form of real property fraud where scammers file unauthorized or forged documents to claim ownership or liens. The consequences can be devastating: compromised titles, blocked transactions, and costly legal battles. In response, the Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 1734, effective September 1, 2025, to create a new, streamlined legal process for property owners to challenge potentially fraudulent filings. This blog explains how SB 1734 works and what savvy investors should understand before using it. In This Article: What Is Deed Fraud And Why It Matters in Texas How Deed Fraud Happens Who Gets Targeted the Most How SB 1734 Helps Owners Fight Back Understanding SB 1734’s Purpose When a Document Is “Presumed Fraudulent” Filing Your Owner’s Affidavit What Happens After 120 Days Legal Impact of the Court Ruling

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Financial & Real Estate Law

Texas Earnest Money Insights: Avoid Costly Disputes

When buying or selling a home in Texas, you may come across the term “earnest money.” This is a small deposit the buyer gives to show they are serious about the deal. Think of it as a promise. If everything goes right, the money goes toward the purchase. If the deal falls apart, who keeps the money depends on the contract. That is where earnest money forfeiture clauses come in. In real estate transactions, earnest money serves as a good-faith deposit showing a buyer’s serious intent to purchase. However, when the deal doesn’t close on the agreed date, misunderstandings about what happens to the earnest money can spark disputes. One common provision is a clause stipulating that if the confirmed closing date is missed, half of the earnest money is forfeited. Clear explanations are essential to avoid confusion, safeguard interests, and ensure smoother transactions for both buyers and sellers. In

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Residential Real Estate

Residential Property: ‘Clear to Close’ for Texas Sellers

You are buying Texas land from out of state, and the email finally arrives: you are “clear to close.” It sounds like the all-clear, as if every single box has been checked for you. From a distance, it feels safe to relax. So buyers often stop asking questions at the very moment they should ask more. Here is the part that catches buyers off guard. “Clear to close” tells you the lender will fund and the title company will insure. It does not tell you the land is a good thing for you to own. This guide is for the out-of-state buyer, not the seller or the lender. Let us look at what that phrase really covers, and what it quietly leaves out, in plain terms. In This Article: What “Clear to Close” Actually Means Who Each Party at the Table Protects What It Does Not Mean for You The

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Case Studies

Easement Success Case Study: Complex Dispute Resolved

The Daughtrey Law Firm, a Houston-based law firm specializing in real estate and oil & gas law, was recently retained to represent landowners in a complex negotiation involving the expansion of an  near Lake Amistad, located close to Del Rio, Texas. The project involved negotiating with AEP Texas, a major electric utility company, which sought to expand a nearly 100-year-old transmission line to accommodate growing power needs and facilitate further land development. This transmission line expansion also played a key role in supporting the Port-to-Plains Corridor, a proposed transportation and infrastructure project that aims to create a transcontinental trade route running from Mexico through Texas and up to Colorado. The negotiations were critical to ensuring the landowners’ rights were protected, while also allowing for future development in the region. In This Case Study: Client Background Challenge Key Objectives The Daughtrey Law Firm’s Approach Initial Review and Legal Strategy Negotiating with

New HUD FHA Rule Shuts Out Immigrant Buyers
Business Law & Compliance

New HUD FHA Rule Shuts Out Immigrant Buyers

You found rural Texas land from out of state, and a government-backed loan looks like the affordable way in. A USDA, FHA, or VA loan promises low money down and friendly terms. From a distance, it feels like the financing is the easy part. So the land itself gets far less attention than it deserves. Here is what surprises many buyers. With these loans, the property has to qualify, not just you. So a tract you love can pass your credit check and still be turned down because of the land itself. This guide is for the out-of-state buyer, not the seller or the lender. Let us look at what can disqualify rural Texas land, and why those same issues should concern you anyway, in plain terms. In This Article: Why Government-Backed Loans Are Common on Rural Land The Property Has to Qualify, Not Just You What Can Disqualify Rural

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Farm and Ranch Acquisitions

A Clear, Step-by-Step Guide to the Texas Farm and Ranch Contract

Buying or selling a farm or ranch in Texas is more than just a handshake and a price tag. It needs a good understanding of the Texas Farm and Ranch Contract. The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) created this important document. It guides rural property transactions. It ensures transparency and protects the interests of both buyers and sellers. The contract covers many important topics. These include the sale of land, improvements, and accessories. It also mentions exclusions like mineral rights and water access. For many people, understanding complex clauses can be hard. This includes things like oil and gas lease addendums or natural resource reservations. However, these details are crucial to avoid disputes and safeguard your investment. In This Article: Introduction Key Parties and Definitions Property Components Land, Improvements, and Crops Exclusions and Reservations Sales Price and Financing Leases and Reservations Earnest Money and Option Period Title Policy and Survey

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Oil and Gas Lease

The Special Warranty Deed in Your Mineral Chain: What It Does Not Cover

The deed looked fine. It conveyed the minerals, it was signed and notarized, and it was recorded in the right county. The new owner assumed the title question was settled. Then the operator issued a division order, and the payments did not start. A title examiner had found a gap further back in the chain, and the special warranty deed in hand did nothing to close it. The company wanted curative work before it would pay. This is where the special warranty deed quietly fails mineral owners. It is one of the most common deeds in Texas mineral conveyances, and one of the most misunderstood. The deed is not the problem; what it leaves uncovered is, and that is exactly where mineral title tends to break. In This Article: What a Special Warranty Deed Actually Promises Why the Gap Is Worse for Minerals Than for Surface The Title Insurance Assumption

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Financial & Real Estate Law

Essential Legal Protections for Texas Real Estate Buyers

Buying real estate in Texas is an exciting but significant financial commitment. When buying a home, investment property, or land with mineral rights, buyers need to know the legal protections available. Laws safeguards Texas real estate buyers from unfair practices, hidden defects, and misleading transactions. Knowing these regulations can help prevent costly mistakes and ensure informed decisions. In This Article: Texas Real Estate Licensing Act (TRELA) and Buyer Protections Ensuring Ethical Conduct by Real Estate Professionals Disclosure of Property Defects Protection Against Misleading Practices Key Provisions of the Texas Property Code Contracts for Deed and Installment Sales Residential Construction Liability Act (RCLA) Rental Property Purchases and Tenant Rights Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (DTPA) Legal Recourse for Misrepresentation Compensation for Deceptive Practices The Seller’s Disclosure Notice Obligation Must-Know Details for Buyers Legal Consequences of Non-Disclosure Homestead Protections Under Texas Law Property Tax Exemptions Protection from Forced Sales Spousal Rights

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Financial & Real Estate Law

Texas Real Estate: Protect Against Forged Deeds Now

Property transactions in Texas can be exciting, but they also come with risks. One serious issue that property owners, investors, and real estate professionals must watch for is forged property deeds. A person who falsifies property documents can effectively steal someone’s land or home. Texas law provides strong protections against this type of fraud, but understanding how forgery works in real estate transactions is crucial to safeguarding your investments. Whether you are buying, selling, or managing a property, knowing the legal implications and your options can help you avoid major financial losses. In This Article: The Legal Definition of Forgery in Texas Real Estate What Texas Law Says About Forged Property Deeds Consequences of Property Title Fraud in Texas Criminal Penalties for Forged Deeds Civil Remedies for Victims of Forgery The Role of Notary Fraud in Real Estate Scams How Notary Publics Can Be Involved How to Protect Yourself from

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