If you feel concerned that you cannot land an affordable property in the current real estate market, there are home sales that offer opportunities for bargains. You may be able to acquire a residence for less money by buying one through a probate sale. A probate sale occurs when a homeowner dies without leaving a clear will or with outstanding debts that require the sale of the property. Buying a home through probate differs from a traditional sale in ways that may not always work to your advantage. Court approval With a probate sale, you need approval from multiple parties, most notably the j ..read more

In Texas, people who want to file for personal bankruptcy must obtain bankruptcy certificates as a standard part of the process. A bankruptcy certificate is an official document that proves that you completed credit counseling and debtor education, two required steps in the personal bankruptcy process. You will not be able to complete your bankruptcy case until you obtain both of these certificates. The following describes what the certificates cover and when you must complete them. Credit counseling Before starting the bankruptcy filing process for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, you must work with ..read more

In Texas, various challenges can arise during a construction project, leading to conflict and disputes among the involved parties. If not resolved, disputes can escalate, disrupt the project, and cause additional problems. What started as a simple dispute can escalate to outcomes such as a breached or terminated contract or a claim against a surety bond. The following can help you understand common causes and ways to resolve construction disputes to keep your project on track. Dispute causes To minimize or resolve conflicts, it is essential to understand and identify the factors that underlie ..read more

In Texas, if you undertake a home improvement or construction project and do not pay your suppliers or subcontractors, they can file a mechanic’s lien against your home. These individuals have the right to assert a legal claim against your property if they are not paid for materials or work they have provided. Understanding how mechanic’s liens work and how to avoid them is crucial. The purpose of a mechanic’s lien A mechanic’s lien protects subcontractors and suppliers who have provided work or materials to improve your property. The liens give them a legal way to seek payment if the general ..read more

About 68 million people around the country have late payments, collection accounts or charge-offs on their credit reports. These negative items lower credit scores and make borrowing more difficult, and interest rates are usually higher when Texas residents with poor credit are able to secure a loan or credit card. If you have negative items on your credit report that should have been removed or were placed in error, there are steps that you can take to get them removed. Obtaining credit reports The first thing you should do if you want to remove errors from your credit report is obtain the in ..read more

While bankruptcy in Austin, Texas helps consumers with debts there are still some negative myths surrounding the process. In most cases, these myths are based on some truths that are distorted with false ideas. Consumers won’t be able to get credit again Credit scores drop for several years depending on the type of bankruptcy, but it doesn’t mean forever. In fact, consumers may find themselves bombarded with credit card and loan offers soon after the discharge or when they file. Some filers qualify for a subprime mortgage in three years and a secured card as soon as one month after discharge ..read more

Bankruptcy in Austin, Texas is a legal way for consumers to remove unsecured debts. Consumers may choose several types of bankruptcy, but they often file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. However, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 have their own differences and benefits. Chapter 7 bankruptcy While Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharges unsecured debts in about four to six months, the filer must fulfill some requirements. One of these is that the individual must sell nonexempt property, or items the court doesn’t consider needed for daily living. Nonexempt property commonly includes vacation homes, second vehicles, va ..read more

The holidays are often a time when people spend hundreds of dollars on gifts for family members and friends. It is also a time when you may spend a significant amount of money on holiday parties at your Texas home or apartment. Although you may consider holiday expenditures to be cash well spent, it’s important to have a plan to repay any credit card bills that you incur during the months of November and December. Consider the snowball or avalanche repayment methods The snowball debt repayment strategy has you put any extra money that you have after making minimum payments on your credit cards ..read more

Real estate projects can be expensive and time-consuming. However, when real estate disputes arise, it can be difficult for contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to get the payment they are owed. This is where a mechanic’s lien comes in. What is a mechanic’s lien? A mechanic’s lien is a legal tool that can help contractors, subcontractors and suppliers get the payment they’re owed for work completed on real estate projects. It is essentially a security interest in real estate. This allows them to collect their payment from the real property owner or their lender if there is no other way to ..read more

Buying a home in Texas is one of the biggest and most important transactions one can make in their life. As such, legal safeguards are in place to help buyers and sellers ensure the deal goes smoothly and that everyone is protected. Understanding real estate purchase and sale agreement A real estate purchase and sale agreement is a legally binding contract between a buyer and seller that outlines the terms of a transaction. They are usually prepared by the seller’s agent or attorney and countersigned by the buyer. The agreement covers all the major terms of the deal, such as purchase price, ea ..read more