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buying texas property

Buying Texas Property: The Importance of Checking Easements

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There are many people who think that if you own land in Texas you have the unquestionable legal right to access it, but this is not the case. In fact, as the population continues to grow in Texas, more and more land is becoming landlocked-inaccessible to it owners. Understanding easements is critical to ensure you do have the legal right to access your property, and that the easement attaches to the land so that you can sell the property in the future without access problems.

In Texas there are two types of land access easements. The first is an easement appurtenant. This type of easement attaches to the land and benefits the owner. The owner has the legal right to use the easement to access the property. When the owner sells the land, the easement remains attached to the property and benefits the next owner of the property. The second type of land easement is an easement in gross. Easements in gross attach to and follow a specific individual. It stays with the individual who receives the easement even if ownership of the land changes hands. It is really a personal right as opposed to ownership in the real property. Easements in gross cannot be transferred or assigned unless the right is actually stated or granted in the easement itself. To protect your land from becoming landlocked the appurtenant easement is the best type of easement.

Easements can become very complicated depending on the number of properties involved in the easement. It is best to involve legal assistance to ensure your easement is legally tight and that your property will have free and unobstructed access now and in the future. There have been court cases where one property owner decides to erect a gate or fence that cuts off access for another property owner so the details of the easement and the proper recording of the easement are all issues you need to research carefully and properly document. The language of the easement must also be extremely detailed and accurate for your protection and the protection of anyone you may ultimately sell to. Ambiguous language opens the door to legal suits and future access issues.

Apart from land or use easements Texas also has conservation easements. Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements that ensure a property will be maintained according to the landowner’s wishes for a period of years into the future and can qualify the landowner for tax benefits.

The holder of the conservation easement must be a governmental entity or a qualified conservation organization. With a conservation easement, the landowner retains the legal title to the property and determines the types of land uses to continue and those to restrict. As part of the agreement, the landowner grants the holder of the conservation easement the right to periodically assess the condition of the property to ensure that it is maintained according to the terms of the legal agreement.

With a conservation easement, a landowner limits one or more of his rights to manage resources, change use, subdivide or develop the property. When a landowner donates a conservation easement the owner may choose to limit the right to further develop the property but retain the right to build a house or grow crops. The landowner can continue to use the property as long as the resources the conservation easement is intended to protect are sustained.

Understanding easements is vitally important to ensuring your rights of access and use are fully protected now and in the future.

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brandi thompson photography specializes in the business of smiles

Brandi Thompson Photography Specializes In The Business Of Smiles

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Saying she’s in the “business of smiles,” Brandi Thompson is the namesake of Carrollton, TX photography company, Brandi Thompson Photography. Thompson took a hobby that started in 2004 and turned it into a lucrative business in 2008 while taking college courses. She now has more than eight years of experience with her own photography company and can work with all ages.

“I believe I stand out from other photographers in a variety of ways,” Thompson says. “One of the biggest is that my clients truly become part of a family. I think photography is such an intimate business, and I really put my heart into it to create something unique for each client. I don’t just recreate things I’ve seen, but really try and give them something special.”

Thompson keeps her pricing simple to keep the session as adaptable for each person’s lifestyle. She charges $250 for boutique portrait sessions that can take up to two hours and feature different locations and wardrobes. She also offers mini sessions for kids between the ages of three months and three years old. They’re held in her studio in Plano and she says they’re perfect for those milestone moments that someone would want to capture.

“I love being a photographer because it combines emotion with art,” Thompson says. “I think it’s so special to be able to capture emotions and personality in a moment, because it changes so quickly. But, I also get to use my love of art and creativity to make it something unique. I love photographing babies and toddlers because they are so real and honest.”

Thompson, who has two children of her own, says she loves photographing kids since they grow and change so quickly. She loves giving parents the opportunity to remember their kids at those ages, saying “it’s wonderful to be able to freeze who they are at that time.” Although working with kids presents “unique challenges,” Thompson says she has learned many tricks over the years to keeping kids happy and cooperative during photo shoots. She says the key is to working with who they are, which she does.

“I am a quirky and unique individual and I think that translates into my work,” Thompson says. “There are so many photographers out there; it really comes down to personality and so I try and translate my own honesty into my work.”

For more information be sure to check out her website at www.brandithompsonphotography.com.

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By Kelly Church

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becoming a texas real estate broker

Becoming a Texas Real Estate Broker – What to Know

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How to Become a Texas Real Estate Broker

Follow the steps to learn how you can become a licensed TREC real estate broker in Texas.

Looking to become a real estate broker?

So you want to become a real estate broker in the State of Texas? Most people have the wrong impression of real estate as a get-rich-quick occupation. In reality, real estate is a tough business where you may face long and often irregular hours, can be on call to clients at any time and must wait weeks or months (especially with a short sale) to close a sale and get paid with no assurance that the sale will actually close.

On the positive side, active real estate brokers have several essential freedoms that real estate sales agents do not — namely, a broker can start her/his own firm, hire agents to work under them (if they wish), and receive commission payments directly, without splitting it with any managing broker working above them.

Broker candidates must have an active Texas real estate salesperson license and show proof of four years of experience as a real estate salesperson in the State of Texas. The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) administers the licensing and laws that help protect the public when buying or selling real estate.

Take the next step to become a Texas Broker

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Here’s a complete rundown of the requirements you need to meet to take the next step in your career and become a real estate broker in Texas:

  1. Possess the aforementioned four years’ experience as a licensed salesperson and have acquired 3,600 experience points in four out of five years as a salesperson. Completed sales of single-family homes count at 300 points per sale and 450 points are given for completed apartment sales of five or more units.
  2. Take additional licensing requirements to include a 900-hour state-licensed education course of broker pre-license subjects, which should include 270 hours of core real estate courses, 630 hours of classroom hours or have completed a college bachelor’s degree and one 30-hour brokerage course that counts toward the core course requirement (taken online, in classroom or by correspondence).
  3. Apply for broker license after meeting the experience points and the broker education requirements by sending in a completed application along with the required $465 licensing application fee, $10 for recovery trust account and $34.25 for fingerprinting and/or background screening in one check or money order plus all other TREC-required documentation. TREC prefers online application completion and payment.
  4. Once acceptance and approval of the application has been received, contact PSI to schedule the state exam at the location of your choice and pay the $61 examination fee. Download the Candidate Information Bulletin.
  5. Show up to the exam location, pass the test with a 75% or higher grade and leave with passing score report in hand.
  6. Receive your Texas broker’s license from TREC. Do not practice until this license is received.

For varying reasons, some brokers elect to continue working under another broker (in which case they are recognized as an associate broker). But for those who elect to start their own firm, the capital needed is relatively small, but you will still need several thousand dollars to get licensed, acquire and maintain Errors and Omission (E&O) insurance, post a bond, join real estate associations, market your firm to potential home buyers or sellers, and perhaps recruit agents to work under you.

Then, as with any real estate career, it may take months until you get your first sale and the commission check that comes with it, so it’s recommended that you have financial stability, whether through a second job, a spouse or several months of savings, to survive this time period as your business gains momentum.

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barkhaus mobile pet spa brightens up your dog s life

Barkhaus Mobile Pet Spa Brightens Up Your Dog S Life

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It’s a dog’s life. Should you choose the Mini Spa for your pet, with a hydro-massage bath with premium shampoos and conditioners, tearless and coat brightening facial, fluff dry by hand, brush out, nails clipped and filed, paw moisturizer, light trim of face, feet and tail, and ending with optional cologne and bow or bandana? Or the Full Day Spa with all of these plus a haircut or styling as appropriate for the breed?

With Barkhaus, the spa comes to your driveway. Pet owners who struggle with all the guilt and anxiety of leaving their dogs on their own for hours in a salon love the idea. Owner Paula Cocuzza says that when working in a salon, she saw that pets were not really comfortable in that environment.

“I had been grooming for 8 years in a salon and its not always comfortable for the pets. There are a lot of elderly and sick pets that people have a hard time getting to a salon. I have 4 dogs of my own, one having separation anxiety and 2 have congestive heart failure. I decided there must be a better way. So I saw a van and decided that I could have 1-on-1 time with each pet. It works so much better. They are not as nervous or scared in the van right outside their own home.”

Not surprisingly, the business has taken off rapidly. In fact, Barkhaus and its groomers are so much in demand that it’s necessary to book at least a few days ahead. The mobile spa is a converted 22-feet Mercedes Sprinter with its own electricity and water, and a full-service grooming station that gets sanitized after each appointment.

Even more important, Cocuzza says that she takes the time to get to know each pet, so they can be comfortable with the whole process: “I travel from home to home and visit with each family about the pet I will be grooming. While they fill out the paper work I sit on the floor and visit with the pets so they can get to know me.”

Each appointment takes one to two hours and Cocuzza says that dogs should be groomed every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the breed. It works better for the dogs, since they don’t have to go beyond their own driveway. Unlike a grooming salon, they are never left alone and unattended, in a cage along with a roomful of strange dogs. However, for safety and liability reasons, pet owners cannot watch the grooming.

Apart from the pampering care pets receive, they avoid some of the discomforts and drawbacks of grooming salons. They won’t be left in cage dryers, and the risk of infections and altercations with other pets is absent. The stress-free environment of the mobile spa is specially suitable for puppies, who are very impressionable. With in-your-driveway pampering, they can learn to love being groomed. At present Barkhaus only accepts small to medium dogs, up to 80 lbs.

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ballet academy of texas

Ballet Academy Of Texas Is Building Careers One Dance At A Time

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Ballet is one of the older forms of dance. It has been woven into many new styles, becoming the basis for a wide range of dance forms over its long existence. Ballet, while fluid, has a rigid set of rules governing its format. These rules, while simple, are regimented, making it one of the hardest forms of dance to achieve excellence in. In fact, it is believed that if you can master ballet, you can master any form of dance.

For those looking to submerge themselves into the world of dance, the Ballet Academy of Texas, located in Coppell, Texas, wants to help you on your path to master this graceful style.

The goal of the Ballet Academy of Texas is to provide quality, professional instruction for all ages. The academy’s primary focus is on classical ballet technique, as this provides a strong foundation for all other dance forms to come.

As classical ballet is the primary concentration, the majority of the schedule offered by the company is filled with ballet courses, such as preballet, beginners’ ballet, teen ballet, boys’ ballet, adult ballet, and Pas De Deux. Other courses make up the remaining slots, such as jazz, tap, modern, hip hop, musical theater, and yoga for dancers.

“Our ballet academy is fortunate to have teachers who all have professional backgrounds and who are committed to helping each child reach their potential in dance through a positive, encouraging environment,” Lisa Slagle, Owner/Director, said.

The Ballet Academy of Texas is for every student, whether they want to take their passion professionally or are looking to enjoy the form itself. Regardless of what the students are wanting to get out of their time at the academy, everyone is treated equally and shown the appropriate amount of attention.

Slagle is no stranger to the stage, herself. Beginning her career at age 11, Slagle appeared as a solo dancer in the movie Clambake, starring Elvis Presley. She went on to dance for the Joffrey Ballet for many years before moving on to the Ballet du Grande Theatre de Geneve in Switzerland. From there, she became a Principal Dancer with Tulsa Ballet Theatre. It was upon her retirement that she launched the Ballet Academy of Texas.

By Elisha Neubauer

ancient art in a modern world at potters place

Ancient Art In A Modern World At Potters Place

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Pottery is an ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years. While some may have never experienced creating their own pottery, for those in Stafford, Texas, Potters Place gives them an opportunity to get involved with this age-old hobby.

Potters Place is a facility located on Dulles Avenue which offers pottery classes, services, and activities ranging from beginner to full-fledged artist. Everything is available, from adult potter’s wheel classes and one-time wheel groups to pottery and ceramic workshops. Children’s parties are available, as well as corporate team building events. Studio time can also be rented from the facility. The location houses nine pottery wheels, three kilns, and an artist gallery.

For those who have never worked with pottery before, Karen Skipper Cruce, owner of Potters Place, suggested signing up for the monthly classes.

“The way to learn is practice, practice, practice,” Cruce said. “Remember that this is an art form and it takes time and practice to get better and better.”

Karen Skipper Cruce

The great thing about pottery is that there is always something new to learn. A pottery artist is an ever-growing, ever-changing form and can never complete their education.

“We have many students who have been with us for 10-16 years,” Cruce said.

The studio offers weekly classes and students sign up for a month at a time. Of course, people do have the opportunity to book a one-time wheel class, as well. A one-time class allows people who are new to the art form to literally get their hands dirty and see if pottery is a good fit for them.

“Couples like this for an anniversary outing,” Cruce said. “Groups like this option for birthday parties, corporate team building, or just a family project.”

A typical class is small, consisting of only nine participants per session. The intimacy of such a small class encourages a friendly atmosphere in which students seem to get to know each other. The classes can be exceptionally therapeutic for some, as pottery requires a high level of concentration.

“While in class, people forget about everything except the clay,” she said.

The classes are specifically designed to walk you through the art form carefully. The beginning months are reserved for a focus on form and technique. What the student creates and how big the student creates it aren’t important. Once the student has a firm grasp on the techniques, creativity becomes the focus.

“There are so many forms and decorative techniques, people rarely get bored with pottery,” Cruce said. “We encourage students to try different techniques, glazing applications, etc.”

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an overview of your home flooring choices

An Overview Of Your Home Flooring Choices

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Tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

Ultimate Flooring Company is a family-owned business and has been in the business for over 20 years. We started our business in Long Island, NY and then moved to Houston. We specialize in wood floor sanding, refinishing, all types of wood and laminate floor installations, and floor repairs. One of my favorite things to do is to do install borders.

What is one of the biggest regrets you’ve seen people make when it comes to new flooring and how can others avoid making the same mistake?

The biggest mistake I have seen homeowners make is not researching the flooring choices and trusting the professionals. Reason: not all professionals are trustworthy. Some professionals will sell homeowners on something they can get a discount on and may not be what the homeowner needs after all.

For example, a homeowner I spoke with had another quote for engineered wood flooring and the contractor specified the flooring but he was cheaper. Since the homeowner had not done her research, I had to advise her that he did not quote her engineered wood flooring but laminate, which she would not be able to refinish. The best thing any homeowner can do is to research what they want. By doing this research, they can ensure they are getting what they pay for.

What are two or three of the most popular flooring options that homeowners are choosing right now?

Engineered wood and laminate flooring are the two most popular choices in Houston with types of wood being oak and bamboo.

Can you briefly describe some of the advantages and disadvantages of each of those?

Oak whether it be engineered, hardwood, or laminate has so many options in colors. Bamboo has a very distinct look but has limited colors. What homeowners need to know is that laminate does not allow for sanding but is extremely durable. Engineered wood will allow for refinishing and sanding but is limited to up to 3 sandings. Hardwood can be refinished and sanded many times.

Is there a flooring that you can add to your house that will help increase its value?

Engineered wood and hardwood flooring are the best types to increase value.

What is your advice on choosing/installing hardwood floors versus carpet?

Think about value and maintenance. If you have pets and children, carpets can get dirty easily. Hardwood flooring can easily be cleaned. The pricing if you shop around can be about the same. You just need to do your research.

What is the best way to reach your company?

We can be reached via email at sales@ultimateflooringco.com or by phone at 713.306.5658. My wife Lorraine monitors our website www.ultimateflooringco.com, which has a Contact Us page.

By Bob McCann

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an overview of title insurance

An Overview Of Title Insurance – What You Should Know

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Tell us a little bit about your company and its foundation.

Jack Rattikan III: Rattikin Title Company is one of the largest independent title insurance agents in Texas. Founded in 1944 with its corporate headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, Rattikin Title has a large, professional team with convenient office locations in Tarrant County to serve our commercial and residential client base.

In general, what is Title insurance supposed to provide for homeowners?

Title insurance is a very unique insurance policy that protects you and your lender if someone challenges the title to your property because of unknown title issues when you bought the property. Unlike other policies, title insurance protects the owner from past errors related to ownership history rather than future risks such as fire, flood or other physical damages. Title insurance doesn’t guarantee you will never have a problem, but it does give you the assurance and peace of mind that the title company will be there to address a problem if there is one.

What is the difference between an owner’s policy and a loan policy?

An owner’s title policy protects the purchaser of the property, while the loan policy offers protection to the lender or mortgage-holder. When purchased in conjunction with an owner’s policy, the cost of a loan policy is usually offered at a discounted rate.

Who is responsible for payment of the owner’s policy and loan policy?

Although negotiable, it is customary for the property seller to pay for the owner’s policy. It is usually the borrower/buyer who pays for the loan policy. You may have the option to purchase additional endorsements with your policy.

What are some common title claim defects/concerns that may rise from my title policy?

A thorough title search can help uncover any title defects tied to your property. Some of the common title concerns often covered by an owner’s policy of title insurance includes: errors in public records, unknown liens, illegal deeds, missing heirs, undiscovered easements, boundary/survey disputes, undisclosed heirs and forgery. When you buy property, make sure you’re protecting that investment with title insurance.

How long is a Title Policy in effect and do I pay an Annual Premium?

Unlike other types of insurance, the premium for your title policy is paid only once, at closing, and your policy remains in effect as long as you own the property.

What items are included in the title insurance premium rate in Texas?

Texas has an “all-inclusive” premium rate. This means that in addition to the risk covered by the title insurance company, the rate also includes the title search, examination, closing and funding the transaction, and issuance of the title policy.

What are some factors that influence the rate charged for my title insurance policy?

In Texas, the Department of Insurance is the state agency charged with oversight of title insurance. Premium rates are established by the commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance through a public hearing process, and all title agents and companies are required to charge the same rate. The rate is based on the amount of coverage provided by the policy.

May I choose the title agent or the insurer that underwrites my title policy?

Yes. One of the few choices you have is which title company to use. You are not required to use a title company selected by the builder, real estate agent or mortgage lender.

Where can I find more information about title insurance in Texas?

The Texas Department of Insurance (http://www.tdi.texas.gov) has a variety of resources and links to help you learn not only about title insurance in Texas, but also other useful information valuable to you as a homeowner.

What is the best way for people to get in contact with you or your company?

When it’s time to close on your property, ask your real estate professional to call Rattikin Title, a well-known and highly respected Fort Worth title company since 1944. Go to www.RattikinTitle.com for not only a complete listing of our Fort Worth title insurance offices, but also the services we provide and many other valuable resources to help you prepare for closing on your property

By Jack Rattikan III

An Overview Of Home Staging

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Tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

Beth DeLozier-Hayes: Tres Chic Designs is a full-service home staging company that offers both vacant and occupied residential staging services.

What exactly is home staging?

Home Staging is when a residence is prepared for the real estate market. This could include anything from painting, to furniture rental in a vacant home, or just rearranging furniture and artwork in a currently occupied home. Staging professionals make adjustments to the home that allows it to appeal to the largest amount of potential buyers, with the goal of selling the home faster, and potentially for more money.

What are some the ways homeowners can prepare for this process?

Start packing for your move. Though decluttering seems like common sense, home buyers expect homes to be much cleaner than anybody actually lives. Starting to pack up excess items that you won’t need in the next couple of months makes the home appear larger, and move-in ready.

How long does this process typically take?

Typically it starts with a 1-2 hour consultation, then a second day of staging may be scheduled depending on what services may be needed.

What are some of the benefits of home staging?

90% of home buyers search online first. If your home sparkles online, you are much more likely to attract traffic from buyers. Staged homes sell faster, and often for more money, and the services usually cost less than taking a price reduction on a currently listed home.

What’s the best way for people to contact you and your company?

We can be reached at beth@tcdhouston.com

By Beth DeLozier-Hayes

all you needed to know about basement construction

All You Needed To Know About Basement Construction

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Please tell us a little bit about your company and the services you provide.

North Texas Basements, Inc. is a total solutions residential and commercial concrete form contractor specializing in basement construction. In other words, North Texas Basements, Inc. provides a new homeowner with the most stable foundation known. Basements virtually eliminate all potential foundation issues caused by soil movement.

Can you actually build a home with a basement in Texas?

Yes. The misconception that Texas soils are not conducive to basements is absolutely false! While states in the north build homes with basements to combat the movement of soil due to frost, Texas can use this same solution to combat the soil movement issues caused by sun, wind, rain, and most importantly, drought.

What are the biggest challenges that Texas homeowners have with their slab foundations?

It’s a proven fact that slabs are shallow foundations that are vulnerable to movement. We hear about potential vertical rise (PVR), but that is only relevant for shallow slabs. Movement in Texas is caused by the severe drying and then the rapid expansion of the earth when it gets wet. Hence, the term we have coined as a “drought line.” A deeper foundation–basement– prevents the damage that is so common throughout the state as a result of this drastic movement of soil.

Explain the difference between what we commonly call a frost line and what you are calling a “drought line.”

Tom Werling: A frost line is caused by freezing, and the earth moves as a result of the expansion and contraction caused by this freezing and thawing. However, the majority of Texas soil shrinkage is a result of the drought line occurring in the top three feet of the ground. It makes sense if we use foundations that are at least three feet deep that they would be below the “drought line” and therefore, more resistant to soil movement and the resulting damage.

What are the benefits of building a home with a basement?

In addition to eliminating foundation issues due to soil movement, there are many benefits to building a home with a basement. Basements can provide you and your family with a safe haven from tornadoes and storms. Basements are an energy-efficient way to air condition your home and cut down on those electric bills. Basements also provide great additional living space/square footage for very little cost.

So is it expensive to build a basement in Texas?

Actually, no. A basement is a very good investment when building a new home. The cost per square foot is minimal in relation to the additional living space you receive. Additionally, the air conditioning and storage rental savings can offset the extra cost of a basement. Not to mention provide a much safer and more convenient location for your heating, air and water units. Bottom line, with the proven energy efficiency of a basement, a home with a basement can offer significant savings in energy use. What better way to go green!

What kind of lot should one look for when building a house with a basement?

If you can build a house on a lot, we can provide you with the basement foundation. As an added bonus, basements are also great and beautiful solutions for those hillside lots. It is important to note, basements also eliminate the need for fill, retaining walls, and piers on hillside, sloped lots.

What is the best way for people to contact you and your company?

Our website is www.ntxbsmt.com. I can also be reached via phone at 817-770-2768 or via email at Tom@ntxbsmt.com.

By Tom Werling

Texas Homes For Sale

Email: stacy@texashomesforsale.com

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