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What is Title Insurance?

by ResourcesTitle InformationVideo

Explaining title insurance to your buyer clients can be difficult and confusing to say the least. We hope this short video on what title insurance is will help you and your clients better understand the importance of protecting your home with title insurance coverage.

Two types of Title Insurance

There are two basic types of title insurance:
• Loan Title Policy
• Owner’s Protection
Most financial lenders require a Loan Title Policy as security for their investment in your property, just as they require homeowners or other types of coverage for their protection. 
Owner’s title insurance lets the new home owner feel safe and confident there are no other claims as to the ownership of the insured property. Among other matters it insures access to the property, gives the homeowner the right to occupy the property, provides good and indefeasible title which shows there are no specific liens against the property. The policy is purchased at the closing and lasts as long as you have an interest in the insured property.

What does your Premium Cover?

Title insuring begins with a search of public land records affecting the real estate concerned. An examination is conducted by the title agent on behalf of its underwriter to determine whether the property is insurable. We have a highly qualified team of abstractors and examiners that review your property to be sure you have clean and clear title to your new home. Some of the items they review are:
• They review prior owner’s wills and deeds to be sure the wording and names are correct.
• They look to make sure all outstanding mortgages and/or judgments are released or will be released at closing.
• They check on liens against the property because the seller has not paid his/her taxes.
• They search to be sure there are no lawsuits or legal action that would affect the property.
• They examine the records to be sure and make note of any easements and utility lines that will cause any issues.

Protecting your Investment

Title insurance is not as commonly understood as other types of insurance. However, it is just as important. When you purchase a home, in addition to purchasing the actual land or building structure, you are actually purchasing the title to that property as well as the rights to occupy and use the space. Having an Owner’s Title Policy insures and protects claims asserted by others on your property.
Other types of insurance that protect your home may focus on possible future events and charge an annual premium. Owner’s Title Insurance is a one-time purchase and following a careful examination and research of past ownership of your property, it protects you on claims or issues on your property before you were the owner.

Your home is probably your most important investment. Before closing on your home, inquire about your title insurance protection. Be sure to protect your asset with an Owner’s Title Policy.

Why Title Insurance

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Texas Watering Holes

by Resources

Wanting to escape the summer heat?  Here are some of the watering holes around our great state.

1. Balmorhea State Park – Balmorhea, TX

If you happen to be driving 60 miles west of Fort Stockton and find yourself desiring a nice way to cool down, you’ll be in luck. You’d be around the corner from Balmorhea State Park; the world’s largest spring fed pool. Not only is it huge, it’s in the middle of the desert. Along with providing humans 72 degree water, year-round, it’s home to fish, turtles, and various other creatures.

There are even retro motor-court style cabins for folks who’d like to spend a few days at the park. Admission is $7, which considering you’re in the desert, is a small price to pay to escape the west Texas heat.

2. Jacob’s Well – Wimberley, TX

This spring-fed swimming hole in northwest Wimberley, Texas still flies under the radar after all these years. On any given summer day, you won’t find more than 20-30 people down here, which is a great thing. Nestled in a thick area of trees and shrubs, there’s plenty of shade from the hot Texas sun if you just want to watch folks who decide to take a big jump in to the well.

The opening of the well is about 12 feet wide, and it descends 35 feet, before descending another 120 feet at an angle in to caves. Diving in to the underwater caves isn’t recommended though, even for experience SCUBA folks, so if you do go, stick to swimming and enjoying the pool this spring has created.

3. Hamilton Pool – Dripping Springs, TX

At first glance, Hamilton Pool looks like it belongs on another planet. We’re always saying Texas is like nowhere else, and this is exactly why. Hamilton Creek spills over the top creating a 50-foot waterfall in to the shaded pool below. Bring a towel to grab some sun on the shore, or some goggles to swim. Either way, don’t leave your sun-block at home. Sunburns are no fun.

On occasion, the pool is closed due to weather or trail conditions, so it’s always smart to call ahead at (512) 264-2740 to verify that they’ll be open that day.

4. Krause Springs – Spicewood, TX

The previous three swimming holes have been on public land, but Krause Springs is owned by the Krause family, and has been for about 50 years. It’s open year round and is fed by, you guessed it, springs. There is a lot to do aside from just swim such as butterfly gardens and plenty of beautiful Texas landscape to explore.

As far as amenities go, there is both primitive camping and RV hookups. There is a cheap per person charge to enter the park, as well as to camp.

5. Barton Springs – Austin, TX

You can’t do a Texas swimming holes list without Barton Springs. The “frigid” spring-fed waters of Barton Springs are said to be healing waters. The biggest ailment I know it cures is heat exhaustion, but boredom is another disease this pool takes care of quickly.

It’s $3 to enter for the day. Parking can be an issue if you’re trying to park on the North side of the pool, so if you’re driving down, try parking on the south side for the best luck on that end. Bring your blanket or towel so you can post up on the hill, but leave your food, frisbees, footballs, and alcohol at home.

6. Devil’s Waterhole – West of Burnet, TX

Nowadays, droughts are a big factor in whether or not you’ll enjoy watering holes in a particular area. Devil’s Waterhole in Inks Lake State Park thankfully isn’t affected by drought conditions. The cliffs are fun to jump off of for those of yall who aren’t afraid of heights.

Aside from the swimming hole, there’s plenty to do in the park for all yall that like fishing, hiking, and camping.

7. Blanco State Park – Blanco, TX

One thing is for sure; in Texas we love damming up rivers or springs to make giant pools out of them. Blanco State Park has one of the prettiest such pools. Located in Blanco, TX it’s a short drive from Austin as well as not too far out of the way if you find yourself out in Fredericksburg.

As with most of the swimming holes, this park has plenty of fishing, hiking, and picnic area for all ages to enjoy.

8. Las Moras Pool, Fort Clark Springs – Brackettville, TX

If the crowds at Barton Springs get ya down, you can drive to the southwest Texas city of Brackettville and stay at Fort Clark Springs. Boasting the 3rd largest spring fed pool in Texas, this private resort is worth the stay. The Las Moras pool is huge and sits in the middle of what used to be a functioning military base.

Despite having been a military base, there is plenty to do in terms of tourism and activities. The usual camping, swimming, and RV’ing is available for any takers. Don’t cruise down there expecting to jump right in the pool though. It’s only available to folks staying at the resort, but it’s definitely worth the stay.

9. Garner State Park – Concan, TX

I would literally be thrown out of Texas if I didn’t mention Garner State Park. The miles and miles of Frio river have been a Texas destination for years. Not to mention, Garner is where many of us learned to Two-Step during the summer dances.

Concan is a popular destination during the summer, so expect big crowds in Garner. Don’t worry though, there’s plenty of Texas for everyone to enjoy. Just don’t be surprised if most of the cabins are booked if you wait too long to grab one.

10. City Tube Chute – New Braunfels, TX

Many a cooler of beer has been lost to the City Tube Chute in New Braunfels. Made out of concrete and stone, this dam/chute has also been the location of years and years of cool enjoyment. Whether you’re just floatin’ through on your way down the Comal or you’re sticking around all day to watch all the drunks float by, it’s one of the top spots to cool down in Texas.

Due to the fact that some folks have been messin’ with Texas, there are some new rules in place for what you can and can’t take on the Comal river. Be sure to check out the updated rules before you head on down.

Source: http://yestotexas.com/10-best-swimming-holes-in-texas/

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What You Should Know About Texas

by Resources

Here is so fun Texas trivia:

  1. FROM WHERE DOES THE STATE NAME “TEXAS” COME? The name Texas comes from Tejas, an Indian word meaning friendly.
  2. WHAT IS THE STATE MOTTO? Friendship.
  3. WHAT IS THE STATE NICKNAME? The Lone Star State.
  4. WHAT IS THE STATE BIRD? The Mockingbird.
  5. WHAT IS THE STATE TREE? The Pecan tree.
  6. WHAT IS THE STATE FLOWER? Bluebonnet.
  7. WHAT IS THE STATE GEM? Topaz.
  8. WHAT IS THE STATE STONE? Petrified Palmwood.
  9. WHAT IS THE STATE FOOD DISH? Chili.
  10. WHAT IS THE STATE SONG? “Texas, Our Texas”
  11. WHAT IS THE STATE FISH? The Guadalupe Bass.
  12. WHAT IS THE STATE GRASS? Sideoats Grama.
  13. WHAT IS THE STATE SHELL? The Lightning Whelk.
  14. WHAT IS THE STATE ANIMAL? The armadillo.
  15. WHAT IS THE STATE LARGE ANIMAL? The longhorn.
  16. WHAT IS THE STATE INSECT? The Monarch butterfly.
  17. HOW MANY FLAGS HAVE FLOWN OVER TEXAS EXERCISING ACTUAL DOMAIN OVER OR STAKING MAJOR CLAIMS TO THE STATE? CAN YOU NAME THEM? The proverbial “six flags” that have flow over Texas are those of Spain, France, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, The Confederacy, and The United States.
  18. WHERE IS THE STATE CAPITAL LOCATED? Austin.
  19. OUT OF WHAT MATERIAL WAS THE TEXAS STATE CAPITAL BUILDING IN AUSTIN CONSTRUCTED? Texas pink granite.
  20. WHAT DISTINCTION DOES THE TEXAS STATE CAPITAL BUILDING HOLD OVER ALL OTHER STATES? It is the largest, containing some 8.5 acres of floor space and nearly 500 rooms.
  21. WHO IS THE PRESENT GOVERNOR OF TEXAS? Greg Abbott
  22. FOR APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY STRAIGHT-LINE MILES DOES THE STATE OF TEXAS EXTEND, NORTH TO SOUTH? 800 miles; 801 to be exact.
  23. WHICH IS THE LARGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS? HINT, HINT: IT ENCOMPASSES 6,233 SQUARE MILES, AN AREA LARGER THAN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. The largest county is Brewster County in West Texas.
  24. WHAT FOUR (4) STATES BORDER TEXAS? Louisiana on the East, Arkansas on the Northeast, Oklahoma on the North, and New Mexico on the West.
  25. WHAT WATERWAY FORMS THE LONGEST SEGMENT OF THE STATE’S BOUNDARY? The Rio Grande forms the longest segment of the boundary.
  26. WHAT IS THE LARGEST CITY IN TEXAS BY POPULATION? Houston.
  27. THE RIO GRANDE IS THE LONGEST RIVER IN THE STATE. WHAT RIVER IS THE SECOND LONGEST? The Red river.
  28. OF ALL THE STATES IN THE UNITED STATES, TEXAS RANKS SECOND IN VOLUME OF INLAND WATER. WHICH STATE RANKS FIRST? Alaska.
  29. WHAT IS THE HIGHEST DAM IN TEXAS? Mansfield Dam on Lake Travis is the highest at 266 feet.
  30. TEXAS FARMS AND RANCHES COVER ABOUT WHAT PERCENT OF THE STATE’S LAND AREA? Farms and ranches cover about 132 million acres, nearly 80 percent of the State’s land area.
  31. HOW MANY INDIAN RESERVATIONS CAN BE FOUND IN TEXAS? Two! The Alabama-Coushatta Indian reservation between Livingston and Woodville in East Texas, and the Tigua Indian reservation in El Paso. The Kickapoo Indians occupy a 125-acre site near Eagle Pass that has not been designated as a reservation.
  32. IN THE 1860’S, WHAT OUTNUMBERED PEOPLE IN TEXAS 9 TO 1? Longhorn cattle.
  33. WHAT IS THE STATE SONG OF TEXAS? Texas our Texas
  34. WHAT STATE IN THE UNION HAS THREE CITIES INCLUDED IN THE NATIONS’S TEN MOST POPULATED CITIES? Texas (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio)
  35. WHAT IS THE MOST NORTHERN, SOUTHERN, AND WESTERN TOWNS IN TEXAS? Texoma, Brownsville, and Anthony
  36. WHAT FAMOUS CIVIL WAR GENERAL SERVED AS AN OFFICER IN THREE DIFFERENT NATIONS? A.S. Johnston served as an officer in the Republic of Texas Army, the United States Army, and as a general in the Confederate States Army was mortally wounded at the battle of Shiloh.
  37. WHO WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN AMERICAN HISTORY THAT HAD SERVED AS GOVERNOR OF TWO STATES? Sam Houston was governor of Tennessee and later Texas.
  38. WHICH CIVIL WAR UNIT SUFFERED THE HIGHEST PERCENT OF CASUALTIES DURING ONE BATTLE? The 1st Texas suffered 82.4% casualties during the battle of Sharpsburg, September 17, 1862.
  39. WHAT IS THE DAVIS MOUNTAINS, JEFF DAVIS COUNTY, AND FORT DAVIS ALL NAMED AFTER? Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America who wrote, “Soldiers of other states have their reputations to gain. The sons of the Alamo have theirs to maintain.”
  40. HOW MANY U.S. PRESIDENTS WERE BORN IN TEXAS? Two-Dwight D Eisenhower and Lyndon B Johnson
  41. WHERE WAS THE LAST LAND BATTLE OF THE CIVIL WAR FOUGHT? Palmito Ranch near Brownsville, Texas May 12-13, 1865 (more than a month after Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia).
  42. WHAT IS DOCUMENTED TO HAVE BEEN THE MOST HUMANE CIVIL WAR P.O.W CAMP HAVING THE LOWEST FATALITY RATE, NORTH OR SOUTH? Camp Ford near Tyler, Texas.
  43. WHICH BATTLE WAS THE MOST LOP SIDED VICTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR? The battle of Sabine Pass, Sept 8, 1863 46 men of the Jeff Davis Guards, 1st Texas Heavy Artillery defeated a Union force of 5,000 infantry, two gunboats, and 200 sailors.
  44. WHICH BATTLE DID TEXAS WIN its WAR OF SECESSION AGAINST MEXICO? San Jacinto
  45. OVER WHICH RIVER DOES THE HIGHEST BRIDGE IN TEXAS SPAN? Pecos River
  46. WHAT WAS THE DEADLIEST NATURAL DISASTER IN AMERICAN HISTORY? The 1900 hurricane that hit Galveston killing between 6,000 and 8,000 residents.
  47. WHILE TEXAS WAS A REPUBLIC, HOW FAR DID its PAN HANDLE REACH? Into modern day Southern Wyoming
  48. WHICH WEST TEXAS UNIVERSITY IS NAMED FOR THE ONLY CONFEDERATE GENERAL WHO WAS BORN IN IOWA? Sul Ross University
  49. WHICH TEXAS GOVERNOR WAS BORN IN CONNECTICUT? George W. Bush Jr.
  50. WHAT IS THE SMALLEST INCORPORATED TOWN IN TEXAS? Round Top, population in 1990, 81
  51. WHICH STATE IN THE UNION HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF PRO SPORTS TEAMS? Texas

 

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Texas Fun Facts and Trivia

by Resources
  1. Texas is popularly known as The Lone Star State.
  2. The Alamo is located in San Antonio. It is where Texas defenders fell to Mexican General Santa Anna and the phrase Remember the Alamo originated. The Alamo is considered the cradle of Texas liberty and the state’s most popular historic site.
  3. The lightning whelk is the official state shell.
  4. Texas is the only state to have the flags of 6 different nations fly over it. They are: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States.
  5. Although six flags have flown over Texas, there have been eight changes of government: Spanish 1519-1685, French 1685-1690, Spanish 1690-1821, Mexican 1821-1836, Republic of Texas 1836-1845, United States 1845-1861, Confederate States 1861-1865, United States 1865-present
  6. The King Ranch in Texas is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.
  7. During the period of July 24-26, 1979, the Tropical Storm Claudette brought 45 inches of rain to an area near Alvin, Texas, contributing to more than $600 million in damages. Claudette produced the United States 24 hour rainfall record of 43 inches.
  8. More wool comes from the state of Texas than any other state in the United States.
  9. Edwards Plateau in west central Texas is the top sheep growing area in the country.
  10. Texas is the only state to enter the United States by treaty instead of territorial annexation.
  11. The state was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845.
  12. Texas boasts the nation’s largest herd of whitetail deer.
  13. A coastal live oak located near Fulton is the oldest tree in the state. The tree has an estimated age of more than 1,500 years.
  14. Sam Houston, arguably the most famous Texan, was actually born in Virginia. Houston served as governor of Tennessee before coming to Texas.
  15. Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the state.
  16. The first offensive action of the Texas Revolution occurred in Goliad on October 9, 1835 when local colonists captured the fort and town.
  17. On December 20, 1835 the first Declaration of Texas Independence was signed in Goliad and the first flag of Texas Independence was hoisted.
  18. The Hertzberg Circus Museum in San Antonio contains one of the largest assortments of circusana in the world.
  19. The capital city of Austin is located on the Colorado River in south-central Texas. The capitol building is made from Texas pink granite. It served as the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1840-1842.
  20. Austin is considered the live music capital of the world.
  21. Texas is home to Dell and Compaq computers and central Texas is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of the south.
  22. Professional sports teams include the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Houston Astros, Houston Comets, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Texas Rangers.
  23. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. The Dublin Dr Pepper, 85 miles west of Waco, still uses pure imperial cane sugar in its product. There is no period after the Dr in Dr Pepper.
  24. The first suspension bridge in the United States was the Waco Bridge. Built in 1870 and still in use today as a pedestrian crossing of the Brazos River.
  25. In 1836 five sites served as temporary capitals of Texas: Washington-on-the-Brazos: Harrisburg: Galveston: Velasco: and Columbia. Sam Houston moved the capital to Houston in 1837. In 1839 the capital was moved to the new town of Austin.
  26. The capitol in Austin opened May 16, 1888. The dome of the building stands seven feet higher than that of the nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C.
  27. Texas comes from the Hasinai Indian word tejas meaning friends or allies.
  28. The armadillo is the official state mammal.
  29. Texas has the first domed stadium in the country. The structure was built in Houston and opened in April 1965.
  30. The Houston Comets are the only team in the country to win four back-to-back WNBA championships. 1997-2000 Cynthia Cooper remains the only player to win the WNBA Championship MVP.
  31. The worst natural disaster in United States history was caused by a hurricane that hit Galveston in 1900. Over 8000 deaths were recorded.
  32. The first word spoken from the moon on July 20, 1969 was Houston.
  33. Texas’ largest county is Brewster with 6,208 square miles.
  34. Texas possesses three of the top ten most populous cities in the United States. These towns are Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
  35. El Paso is closer to Needles, California than it is to Dallas.
  36. Texas includes 267,339 square miles, or 7.4% of the nation’s total area.
  37. The state’s cattle population is estimated to be near 16 million.
  38. More land is farmed in Texas than in any other state.
  39. More species of bats live in Texas than in any other part of the United States.
  40. Laredo is the world’s largest inland port.
  41. Port Lavaca has the world’s longest fishing pier. Originally part of the causeway connecting the two sides of Lavaca Bay, the center span of was destroyed by Hurricane Carla in 1961.
  42. The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is the world’s largest rose garden. It contains 38,000 rose bushes representing 500 varieties of roses set in a 22-acre garden.
  43. Amarillo has the world’s largest helium well.
  44. The world’s first rodeo was held in Pecos on July 4, 1883.
  45. The Flagship Hotel on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built entirely over the water.
  46. The Heisman trophy is named for John William Heisman the first full-time coach and athletic director at Rice University in Houston.
  47. Brazoria County has more species of birds than any other comparable area in North America.
  48. The Aransas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America’s only remaining flock of whooping cranes.
  49. Jalapeno pepper jelly originated in Lake Jackson and was first marketed in 1978.

Source: https://www.50states.com/facts/texas.htm

The New Earnest Money Delivery Date Sample Timeline

by Real Estate ArticlesResourcesTitle Information

FROM THE CONTRACT:

“IF THE LAST DAY TO DELIVER THE EARNEST MONEY FALLS ON A SATURDAY, SUNDAY, OR LEGAL HOLIDAY, THE TIME TO DELIVER THE EARNEST MONEY IS EXTENDED UNTIL THE END OF THE NEXT DAY THAT IS NOT A SATURDAY, SUNDAY, OR LEGAL HOLIDAY.”

IMPORTANT TIPS:

– EARNEST MONEY CANNOT BE DELIVERED ON A SATURDAY, SUNDAY OR LEGAL HOLIDAY. HOWEVER, YOU DO COUNT SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND LEGAL HOLIDAYS AS EFFECTIVE DAYS WHEN COUNTING THE THREE DAYS, BUT NOT AS THE DELIVERY DATE. THE DELIVERY DATE IS THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.

– WHILE EARNEST MONEY IS NOT
REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED UNTIL THE 3RD DAY, IT IS RECOMMENDED TO DELIVER THE CHECK DURING BUSINESS HOURS TO OBTAIN A RECEIPT OF EARNEST MONEY FOR THE DELIVERY.

 

Click here for printable version.

Sold Home For Sale Real Estate Sign in Front of Beautiful New House.

What Is Earnest Money

by Real Estate ArticlesTitle Information

What is Earnest Money

Earnest money is a deposit made to a seller that represents a buyer’s good faith to buy a home. The money gives the buyer extra time to get financing and conduct the title search, property appraisal and inspections before closing. In most cases, earnest money is delivered when the sales contract or purchase agreement is signed, but it can also be attached to the offer. Once deposited, the funds are typically held in an escrow account until closing, at which time the deposit is applied to the buyer’s down payment and closing costs. 

Earnest money is also known as an escrow deposit or good faith money.

Reasons to Pay Earnest Money

When a buyer decides to purchase a home from a seller, both parties enter into a contract. The contract doesn’t obligate the buyer to purchase the home, because reports from the home appraisal and inspection may later reveal problems with the house. The contract does, however, ensure the seller takes the house off the market while it’s inspected and appraised. To prove the buyer’s offer to purchase the property is made in good faith, the buyer makes an earnest money deposit (EMD).

When Earnest Money Is Refundable

The buyer may be able to reclaim the earnest money deposit if something that was specified ahead of time in the contract goes wrong. For instance, the earnest money would be returned if the house doesn’t appraise for the sales price or the inspection reveals a serious defect – provided these contingencies are listed in the contract.

Of course, earnest money isn’t always refundable. For example, the seller gets to keep the earnest money if the buyer decides not to go through with the home purchase for contingencies not listed in the contract, or if the buyer fails to meet the timeline outlined in the contract. And, not surprisingly, the buyer will forfeit the earnest money deposit if he or she simply has a change of heart and decides not to buy. 

Earnest money is always returned to the buyer if the seller terminates the deal.

How Much You Pay in Earnest Money

While the buyer and seller can negotiate the earnest money deposit, it often ranges between 1% and 2% of the home’s purchase price, depending on the market. If a home costs $250,000, a 1% earnest money deposit would be $2,500; at 2%, the deposit would be $5,000.

In addition to the local market rates, the size of the earnest money deposit depends on the level of interest other buyers have expressed, how hot the housing market is and how quickly a prospective buyer can close on his or her offering price. In hot housing markets, the earnest money deposit might range between 5% and 10% of a property’s sale price.

While the earnest money deposit is often a percentage of the sales price, some sellers prefer a fixed amount, such as $5,000 or $10,000. Of course, the higher the earnest money, the more serious the seller is likely to consider the buyer. Therefore, a buyer should offer a high enough earnest deposit to be accepted, but not so high as to put extra money at risk since there’s still a chance that the deal might not go through and the deposit not refunded.

Earnest money is usually paid by certified check, personal check or a wire transfer into a trust or escrow account that is held by a real estate brokerage, legal firm or title company. The funds are held in the account until closing, when they are applied toward the buyer’s down payment and closing costs. It’s important to note that escrow accounts, like any other bank account, can earn interest. Therefore, if the earnest funds in the escrow account earn interest of more than $5,000, the buyer must fill out tax form W-9 with the IRS to receive the interest.

Protecting Your Earnest Money Deposit

Prospective buyers can do several things to protect their earnest money deposits.

  • Make sure contingencies for financing and inspections are included in the contract. Without these, the deposit could be forfeited if the buyer can’t get financing or a serious defect is found during the inspection. 
  • Read, understand and abide by the terms of the contract. For example, if the contract states the home inspection must be completed by a certain date, the buyer must meet that deadline, or risk losing the deposit – and the house.
  • Make sure the deposit is handled appropriately. The deposit should be payable to a reputable third party, such as a well-known real estate brokerage, escrow company, title company or legal firm (never give the deposit directly to the seller). Buyers should verify the funds will be held in an escrow account and always obtain a receipt. 

Source: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/earnest-money.asp

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Bucket List – Top Things Every Traveling Texan Should Do!

by Resources

• Pull off a Schlitterbahn four-bagger Texas’ beloved waterpark has four locations: Corpus Christi, Galveston, New Braunfels, and South Padre. Hit all of them and be forever named the “Sultan of Schlitterbahn.”
www.schlitterbahn.com

• Visit Blue Bell Visit the creamery in Brenham, Texas! Stop by for a scoop of ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlor, view how we make ice cream from the Observation Deck & shop in the Country Store.
www.bluebell.com

• Kayak Caddo Lake Kayak through the sprawling labyrinth of lush bayous and wetlands, using the thick cypress trees cased in Spanish moss as a sort of lakeside slalom.
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/caddo-lake

• Mountain-bike Through Palo Duro Canyon At 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and 800ft deep, it’s the second-largest canyon in the United States — but it’s only visited by around 300,000 people per year (by comparison, the Grand Canyon gets over 5 million).
www.palodurocanyon.com

• Camp Out At Enchanted Rock The nation’s second-largest granite dome is one of the choicest spots to catch those big and bright Texas stars.
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock

• Cliff Jump Into Jacob’s Well Ever seek the thrill of diving headfirst into a 140 ft. natural artesian spring with an extremely dangerous limestone cave below it?
www.visitwimberley.com/jacobswell

• Channel Indiana Jones Texas has plenty of amazing caves, some of which lie just west of the small city of Sonora (which, FYI, is about halfway between San Antonio and Big Bend).
www.cavernsofsonora.com

• Hike Your Way To Gorman Falls We don’t even know why you’d visit Colorado Bend State Park without hiking the 1.5-mile trail to this hidden treasure. Afterward, you’ll be treated to a misty chill and a breathtaking 60ft waterfall cascading into a fern-coated grotto.
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/colorado-bend

• Do The River Walk Walk, shop, dine, and enjoy the hospitality of our world-renowned urban waterway. Hop aboard a river taxi and discover for yourself why millions visit every year.
www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com

• Cruise Along Route 66 The Texas slice of the legendary Route 66 is 178 miles of ramshackle ghost towns and mighty fine roadside attractions, including Amarillo’s offbeat but totally rad Cadillac Ranch and McLean’s tribute to barbed wire, the Devil’s Rope Museum.
www.barbwiremuseum.com

• Salute The Texas State Capitol Take a guided tour of the 19th-century building… or just take a selfie in front of it.
www.tspb.texas.gov

• Drink Your Way Through The Best Breweries Sip fine craft suds at all 10, then finish with a stop at Spoetzl Brewery. The magical land that pumps out each and every can and bottle of Shiner also happens to be the oldest brewery in the state.
www.shiner.com/brewery/spoetzl-brewery

• Live That Astronaut Life The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is home to a bunch of great experiences, from International Space Station mission operations to astronaut ice cream. If you take the threehour tram tour (YOLO!), you can even get a peek at the historic mission control room.
spacecenter.org

• Wineries In Fredericksburg The Texas Hill Country is home to over 45 wineries and vineyards and Fredericksburg is the epicenter of the Hill Country wine region.
www.visitfredericksburgtx.com

• Conquer “The Texan King”  The iconic Big Texan Steak Ranch harbors the opportunity of a lifetime, and that is the chance to tackle and defeat a colossal, 72oz hunk of Texas beef.
bigtexan.com

• Trip Out In Marfa Experience hyper-reality in this offbeat West Texas town, where you’ll find a minimalistic Prada art installation in the middle of the desert, and mystery lights that have gone unexplained for over half a century.
www.atlasobscura.com/places/prada-marfa

• See The Best Star Show In The State The McDonald Observatory in Davis Mountains State Park hosts “Star Parties,” where you can look through a bunch of telescopes (including the biggest in Texas) to see night sky constellation tours and views of celestial objects.
mcdonaldobservatory.org

• Eat Deep-fried Everything At The State Fair We’re talking things like America’s original Corny Dog, chicken-fried lobster with Champagne gravy, funnel cake, bacon cinnamon rolls, and deep-fried BEER.
www.bigtex.com/

 

Source: thrillist.com

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10 Ways to Live More Eco-Friendly

by Resources

Here are just a few ways to live more eco-friendly:

  • Shop local. Purchasing local products offers an impressive way of reducing pollution that results from supply chain logistics.
  • Opt for natural and organic beauty products. There are many items you already have in your kitchen that you can use for organic beauty products.  It will keep your skin and the environment happy.
  • There are other items around the home that can be recycled outside of kitchen paper and plastics such as unused electronics, old books, and clothes.
  • Avoid drinking bottled water. Plastic waste hurts the environment significantly.
  • Personalize gift wrapping. Creatively re-using wrapping, tags and bows can offer cheap ways for saving the world’s trees.
  • Switch to a bike when you can. It can save you money and help you stay in shape.
  • Always have reusable bags on hand for unplanned shopping. Plastic bags are among the largest contributors to landfills worldwide.
  • Use energy efficient light bulbs to reduce waste and save money.
  • Eat Local! Buy locally grown food and eat out at locally sourced restaurants.
  • Invest in a smart home device that automatically adjusts your thermostat when you are not home, and tracks your usage to help save you money and reduces energy use.
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