Dallas investors often own rentals in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, or beyond. When you pass, each state wants its own probate for local real estate—a slow, expensive loop called ancillary probate. A revocable trust can bypass that loop entirely. With the right deed work and a clear management plan, your trustee…
High-rise living brings amenities, views, and rules. If you own a condo in Uptown or Victory Park, your estate plan must fit building policies, HOA bylaws, and lender expectations. A little preparation prevents probate delays, HOA fines, and unhappy neighbors—while preserving value when it is time to sell or transfer.…
Your Austin-area homestead may border a greenbelt or sit on acreage that frames hill-country views. If you want your children to inherit that land without pressure to subdivide or sell, a conservation easement can help. This voluntary agreement limits development while preserving tax benefits and long-term family control. What a…
Rental properties create steady income, but probate can freeze that cash flow when an owner dies. A Transfer on Death (TOD) deed provides a simple, low-cost way to pass Harris County rentals to your chosen beneficiaries without a court process. You keep full control during life, and your heirs receive…
As the weather starts to get warmer, people begin planning for their summer vacations plans. For those individuals with a vacation, or second, home, these vacation plans might seem easier. There are many benefits to owning a vacation home: always having a place to stay and long-lasting family memories. However,…
Eco-friendly homes are those that are built using environmentally conscious materials and appliances. In recent years, eco-friendly building in Texas has shifted from one-off construction to budding communities of sleek, sustainable housing. Eco-friendly property owners all have one thing in common: Each of them has taken the initiative to plan…
Property deeds are used to convey real property from a grantor (seller) to a grantee (buyer). For a deed to be legally operative, it must include the identification of the grantor and grantee, and the adequate description of the property. Property deeds can be classified into several categories. Investopedia’s recent…
There are different types of property. What we informally call real estate, is known in the law as “real property.” That includes any property that is made of land and any structure that sits on it. That also can include assets that appear on that piece of land, like crops,…
How home ownership is titled, or how it is described on the title to the house, can have far reaching implications that may not come into play for decades. Deciding how the owners of a home will hold title to it, is a much bigger decision than most people think,…
When the family vacation home is passed from one generation to the next, there are certain tax issues to be aware of, particularly the step-up in basis. However, there may also be state taxes. The first part of understanding the tax responsibility when you plan on giving it to your…