Determining the appropriate application fee is a balancing act for Texas landlords. You must cover the rising costs of background checks and employment verification without deterring qualified applicants. Based on recent industry observations and firm experience, here is a breakdown of the current landscape for rental application fees. Understanding the Market Average In the current…

Tenant application fraud has become an increasingly sophisticated challenge for Texas landlords and property managers. Based on years of experience in the field, the firm has observed a significant evolution in the tactics used by fraudulent applicants to bypass traditional screening methods. The Rise of Falsified Documentation In years past, verifying a tenant’s income was…

In Texas, where property taxes (known as ad valorem taxes) are notoriously high, homeowners often seek ways to manage their appraised property values. A common strategy employed by savvy investors and homeowners is choosing to purchase and renovate an older home rather than buying new construction or an existing, untouched resale. This approach can lead…

When a borrower defaults on a mortgage, the bank’s goal is to recoup the outstanding debt, typically through a public foreclosure auction. If the property fails to sell to a third party buyer at the foreclosure auction, ownership usually reverts to the lender though a credit bid. This property then becomes a Real Estate Owned…

In the real estate market, some sellers, particularly banks, turn to auction companies when a property fails to sell through traditional listings. While these auctions are heavily marketed as a way to generate excitement and potentially secure a higher price, they are often viewed as primarily a marketing scheme with specific risks and rules that…