The CourthouseDirect.com Blog

When Should You Hire a Real Estate Attorney?

There are many different circumstances in which hiring a real estate attorney is advisable. A handful of states require the presence of a real estate attorney during closings. In states where a lawyer is not required, there are ...
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Fair Market Value vs. Adjusted Basis Value: What’s the Difference?

The fair market value and the adjusted base value are calculations used at different times to determine an asset’s worth. Fair market value is a general calculation to determine the value of an asset if it were to be sold. People use this ...
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Surface Rights vs. Mineral Rights in Oil and Gas

If you are considering buying a property or are currently a landowner, it’s important to understand your legal ownership level. Some sales include surface rights only, while others include surface and mineral rights to the land. Often, ...
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Do Tax Liens Affect Your Credit Score?

It’s that time of the year again – tax season. If you were unable to pay taxes you owe in past years, you might run into trouble when you file this year. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) might inflict penalties, late fees, and interest ...
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How to Read a Plat Map

A plat map shows a piece of land, drawn to scale, with details such as nearby properties, boundaries, land size, flood zones, the surrounding neighborhood, easements, and monuments. When you purchase a home, one of the documents you ...
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Real Estate Appraisal vs. Home Inspection: What is the Difference?

As someone involved in a real estate transaction, you might come across two types of services prior to the sale of a home: real estate appraisal and home inspection. Although an appraiser and a home inspector may appear to be looking at ...
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Judgment Liens on Property in Texas

A judgment lien is a court-ordered arrangement in which the creditor (the person who won the judgment) can place a lien on the debtor’s (the person who owes the money) property to ensure that he or she gets what the debtor owes. A judgment ...
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How to Calculate an Oil and Gas Royalty

Oil and gas royalties are some of the most important parts of the leases between production companies and landowners. Royalties refer to landowners’ shares of the gross production of oil and gas, typically free from production costs. Oil ...
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How Does Right of Survivorship Work?

If you jointly own a piece of property with one or more parties, you need to know about the legal right of survivorship. Nobody likes to think about what happens if one of the joint owners passes away, but it’s always better to be prepared ...
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What's the Difference Between Quitclaim and Warranty Deeds?

Knowing about deeds is your right and responsibility as a property owner. A deed can completely change the ownership of a piece of land. It can pass property from your hands to those of a new buyer, or from your parents to you. There are ...
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