Kristi Newcomb

Buyers have the chance to inspect the property prior to closing (final walk through). If the HVAC (air/heat system) was working or wasn't flagged, and the sale closed, then the responsibility typically transfers to the buyer. Once you've signed the documents, funded, and picked up the keys, the home (and all its systems) becomes yours. Unless there was fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment by the seller (like knowingly covering up that the unit didn't work), the cost to repair or replace usually falls on the buyer. Unless the buyer unless you can prove the seller knowingly hid the defect.

The legality depends on the lease you signed and the laws in your state. Generally, if you have a fixed-term lease (for example, 12 months), the new owner must honor that lease until it expires. They cannot evict you simply because they want to remodel or raise the rent before the lease ends. If you are month-to-month, the new owner can typically terminate your tenancy with proper written notice. The required notice period varies by state, but is often 30"60 days. If the new owner is trying to force you out without following proper notice or without legal grounds, that may not be lawful. I'd review your lease agreement carefully and checking your state's landlord-tenant laws. If you feel your rights are being violated, you may want to contact a local tenant rights organization or attorney for guidance.

A private listing can sometimes make sense if you're just wanting to quietly test interest, but there are trade-offs.. By limiting exposure, you're naturally limiting the number of buyers who see the property. Less competition often means less leverage. Global exposure may potentially bring more interest and may generate a multiple offer scenario. The homes that achieve top dollar are almost always the ones marketed broadly with professional photos, video, and strong online presence. In Houston, we also have the option to list your home under the MLS aEUR~Coming Soon' feature. It's a great way to gauge buyer interest before officially going live and accumulating days on market.

Earnest money in Texas is a deposit made in good faith to show the buyer's serious intent to purchase. Think of it as money held in trust while the contract is active. The title company holds the earnest money in escrow. At closing, if the deal goes through, that deposit is applied toward the buyer's closing costs and/or down payment. So yes, the buyer gets the benefit of it back, it's credited, not lost. If the deal doesn't close, whether the buyer gets the earnest money refunded depends on the contract terms and timelines. For example, if they terminate properly within the option period, the earnest money is usually refunded. If they default without a contractual right to terminate, the seller may be entitled to keep it. Because situations can vary, the contract and Texas law control what happens to the earnest money in each case. The title company will only release it when both parties agree in writing or a legal determination is made.

In Texas, there isn't a legal definition that dictates how big a closet must be, or that it has to have doors. For real estate and appraisal purposes, a " closetaEUR? is generally recognized as a built-in storage space in a bedroom, usually with hanging rods and/or shelves. We've had sellers purchase a wardrobe closet, attached it to the wall and the appraisers have counted it as a true closet. Appraisers have discretion, and what one may count another might not. In Texas, the general expectation is that a closet is a built-in, permanent storage space within the bedroom, usually with room for hanging clothes. So, in Houston, the closet doesn't have to meet a specific size or door requirement by law, but built-in storage with a rod and doors is what buyers and appraisers typically expect.