Blog | Southern Hills Home Buyers Blog

Texas Tenant Rights For Rental Housing And Landlord Disputes

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Sarah Martinez had been renting the same duplex near Lake Worth for three years when her landlord tried to charge her $800 for “carpet replacement” after she moved out. The carpet was already worn when she moved in, but she hadn’t taken photos to prove it. That mistake cost her most of her security deposit, … Continued

Texas Earnest Money Rules For Real Estate Buyers And Sellers

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You walk into a title company and write a check for $2,800 on a $280,000 house. The Whitaker family did exactly that last winter when they had five weeks to relocate to Dallas after a job transfer from their place outside Amarillo. The seller wanted the earnest money right then, and there wasn’t any arguing … Continued

How To Sell Your House By Owner In Texas Without A Realtor

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Rolling hills in East Texas smell different in the spring. The bluebonnets come up, the property taxes come due, and somewhere near Garland, a contractor I know quoted the Beckett family fifteen grand to fix a kitchen that wasn’t worth eight. Last Tuesday, after they’d already scheduled three walkthroughs with different agents, they called me … Continued
Selling My House and Moving Out of State In Dallas

How to Sell House and Move Out of State

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Moving across the country for a new job, a changing family situation, or a fresh start? You’re not alone. Over three million Americans relocate to another state each year, and most face the same tough question: What do you do with the house you’re leaving behind? I’ve helped hundreds of families through exactly this situation, … Continued
Selling Your Home While Occupying It in Dallas

How to Sell a House While Living in It

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Picking up wet towels at midnight because a buyer wants to see your house at 8 am the next morning? That’s the reality for thousands of homeowners each month. Selling your house while living in it isn’t uncommon. According to the National Association of Realtors, 53% of repeat buyers use proceeds from their primary residence … Continued
Filing a Quitclaim Deed in Simple Steps in [market]

How to File a Quitclaim Deed in Texas

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On a Wednesday morning, the phone rings, and a seller in Amarillo wants to know if they can transfer their rental property to their kid without hiring an attorney. They’re tired of chasing down rent checks and dealing with repair calls at midnight. “I just want it off my plate,” they tell me. This conversation … Continued
Selling a Property That Needs Repairing in Texas

Selling a House That Needs Repairs in Texas

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Leaky kitchen, broken roof, old HVAC? There are many Texans who feel stuck in homes that need considerable repairs. The good news is that a home that needs repair doesn’t have to stop you from selling. Sellers may spend months getting repair estimates and watching the costs rise. Sometimes, selling as-is is a quicker and … Continued
How to Sell Your House With Asbestos In Texas

Can You Sell a House With Asbestos in Texas

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Some houses from the 1950s through 1970s have that distinctive popcorn ceiling texture for a specific reason. A mineral fiber that was once considered a miracle material but now strikes fear into the hearts of potential home buyers across Texas holds the answer. What Is Asbestos and Why Does It Affect Home Sales? Disturbing asbestos … Continued
Selling a Property with a Reverse Mortgage in Texas

Selling Home With Reverse Mortgage in Texas

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Many Texas homeowners who have reverse mortgages eventually ask the same question: how can you sell your house once you have one? The good news is that selling a property with a reverse mortgage is generally not as hard as many think, but there are significant restrictions, timelines and repayment obligations to understand before moving forward. … Continued
How Soon Can You Close After an Appraisal Dallas

How Long After An Appraisal Can You Close On Your Home Purchase

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Most buyers close within 15 to 30 days after their home appraisal is complete. The full range runs from 2 to 5 weeks, depending on your loan type, lender efficiency, and whether any issues surface during underwriting. If everything goes smoothly, conventional loan buyers often hit the lower end of that window. VA loans and … Continued
How Long Seller Stay in House After Closing Dallas

How Long Can Seller Stay in House After Closing

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A sale-leaseback, also called a rent-back or post-closing occupancy agreement, allows a seller to remain in a home for an agreed period after the sale closes, paying rent to the new owner. It is a practical arrangement when life does not line up perfectly with a closing date, but it comes with real legal and … Continued