Purchase Agreement and Closing Attorney in Houston, TX

Yes. TREC's forms are public, and buyers and sellers can use them without an agent. Licensed agents are the ones who must use the promulgated forms when a form fits the deal. If you use a TREC contract on your own, the form is only as good as the blanks you fill in and the boxes you check. Option days, financing terms, title choices, and special provisions all change your rights. Francisca can review a contract you've filled out or prepare a custom contract instead.

Only for a reason the contract allows. A standard Texas contract gives the buyer, not the seller, the option period and most contingencies. A seller who refuses to close without a contract reason is in default. Under the standard contract, the buyer can then end the deal and get the earnest money back, or ask a court to force the sale. A seller's backup plans, such as accepting a backup offer, need to be set up correctly in writing before anyone relies on them.

A low appraisal doesn't cancel a contract on its own. Under the standard financing addendum, some lender requirements tied to the property can still give the buyer a way out. TREC also has an optional appraisal addendum that lets a buyer end the contract if the lender's appraisal comes in below a set amount, within a set number of days. Without either protection, the buyer and seller usually renegotiate the price, the buyer covers the gap in cash, or the deal falls through.

The contract sets the closing date. Most financed purchases close in about 30 to 45 days, depending on the lender, the appraisal, and how quickly title is cleared. Cash purchases can close much faster once title is ready. Delays usually come from loan underwriting, a title issue, or repairs that take longer than planned. If the date needs to move, both sides should sign an amendment, because a missed closing date can put one side in default. Francisca tracks the date and flags risks early.

A TREC amendment is the standard form buyers and sellers use to change a signed contract. Common uses include agreeing on repairs after an inspection, adjusting the price, giving a seller credit, extending the option period, or changing the closing date. Both sides must sign for it to take effect. The form's blanks are short, so repair terms need precise wording about what will be fixed, by whom, and when. Francisca drafts amendments and contract addendums that leave no room for argument.

A closing disclosure is the five-page form your lender gives you before closing on most home loans. It lists your loan terms, monthly payment, closing costs, and the cash you'll need to bring. Federal rules generally require you to receive it at least three business days before closing. Compare it to your loan estimate and your contract, and question any fee or credit that doesn't match. The title company also prepares a settlement statement showing each side's charges and credits.

Most Texas closings happen at a title company, which acts as the escrow agent. The buyer signs the loan documents, and the seller signs the deed and any affidavits the title company requires. Funds move once the lender approves, and the title company records the deed with the county clerk. Many closings can be split, with buyer and seller signing at different times. Bring a valid photo ID, and confirm wiring instructions by phone with the title company before sending money, since wire fraud is common.

Yes. Custom terms can go in the special provisions section, in an addendum, or in a fully custom contract drafted by an attorney. Agents are limited to factual statements and business details, so legal terms need a lawyer. Common examples include a sale of furniture, a leaseback, seller financing, or a sale that depends on a zoning or permit approval. Francisca drafts these terms so they fit the rest of the contract. For owner financing, she prepares the note and deed of trust too.

The standard Texas contract sets the remedies. If the buyer defaults, the seller can usually end the contract and keep the earnest money, or ask a court to enforce it. If the seller defaults, the buyer can end the contract and get the earnest money back, or seek a court order forcing the sale. Many breaches settle with a clear demand and a signed release once both sides see their options. Francisca handles that work before court, and refers litigation to trusted colleagues.